UNIVERSITY OF PIRAEUSDEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL
& EUROPEAN STUDIES
STUDENT GUIDE
Welcome to the Department of International and European Studies of the
University of Piraeus. We hope that you use your time productively here and wish
you every success with your studies. The purpose of this guide to set out some
introductory matters regarding the operation of the English course.
ENGLISH COURSE
The purpose of the English modules is to develop student language skills in line
with the other modules studied in each year of the course. Attention will be given
to topics relevant to the contemporary business context as well as necessary
communications skills. It is our aim to equip you with the required language
competencies to meet the needs and challenges of the work environment of the
21st century.
English modules are compulsory for semesters 1,3,5 and 7. In the course of each
semester students will have two 2-hour lectures/tutorials per week. Each course
is coherently structured to provide a meaningful intellectual challenge and to
develop student skills to respond to educational and career aspirations.
You have all studied English for a number of years. Your learning experience
must have made you aware of the fact that there is no learner group which is
totally homogeneous. Each individual learner has different likes and dislikes,
interests, personality, learning style, attitude, purpose in learning etc. Therefore,
each learner’s development will depend on individual factors such as the ones
listed above and their willingness to participate and learn on an ongoing basis.
Your past experience in language learning was organised according to given
levels of command in English, and aimed at taking you through those levels in
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order to help you qualify for international language examinations. Your English
Courses at the University will not be graded in the same manner. Language is
not graded in the materials you will be using, as language is not graded in the
real world and particularly in the sectors which would be of interest to you within
the framework of your studies. Exposure, development of skills and strategies
and building up your knowledge resources will contribute to your understanding
and eventually use of such materials.
The purpose of your English courses is to:
Help you consolidate and utilize your available language resources
Further develop your receptive skills – listening and reading
Develop fluency in English as an international medium of communication
Build up your confidence in English
Focus on topics/ subject areas relevant to your degree studies
Develop a range of strategies in both spoken and written communication
Provide basic training in communication skills necessary for international
business and other areas of professional communication
Help you to develop a range of academic/ study skills e.g. note-taking,
organizing information
Encourage you to focus on the process of skills such as writing and/or
speaking
Provide opportunities and support reading of magazines, journals,
newspapers, websites etc. with a purpose
Encourage you to treat language as a medium rather than an end in itself
Some of the areas listed above will be re-visited in future semesters, in an
attempt to ensure ongoing development and to prepare you for further studies
and/or professional development.
We would like to remind you that, the aims and focus of your English courses at
the university are different from those of your previous, general English courses.
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These courses do not attempt to prepare you for general language examinations,
nor do they exclusively focus on grammatical and lexical accuracy. Initially, some
of the accuracy areas will inevitably overlap for consolidation purposes. The rest
of your coursework and tasks will require you to use English as a medium, and to
obtain all kinds of information about new subject areas.
You will also be expected to activate all your knowledge resources, in order to
discuss subjects which you might be familiar with. We will not only be dealing
with texts in order to, for example teach you specific lexical items, but will be
training you to interact with spoken/written texts having activated all the relevant
knowledge and expectations at your disposal. Experience has shown that most
people tend to know a lot more than they give themselves credit for. In doing so,
they deprive themselves of the means to carry on learning. So we will try to
encourage you to use all your knowledge resources, including language in
different contexts, in order to help you develop the skills to carry on learning in
your courses and through self-study.
Topics will be discussed in sessions. Students who attend classes regularly tend
to benefit from the opportunities offered to them in sessions, and develop their
confidence and fluency overall. In addition, they are not faced with substantial
amounts of unfamiliar material and areas to study. Active participation in
sessions will inevitably affect your overall course mark but more importantly will
do wonders for your spoken and/or written English.
CAREER ASPIRATIONS
“Graduates will need to develop a profile of attributes: knowledge, skills abilities and personal attributes that suit them to work in the organization of the future.”
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You may be asking yourself – what I am going to do after University. Preparation
for employment is major objective of this course and you will be acquiring a
number of skills and your chances of success in the job market will certainly be
well-enhanced. It must be emphasized that employers, when recruiting
graduates, look for a range of attributes other than knowledge base in a subject
area or a degree as such. These are made up of a range of personal and
interactive attributes such as intellect, ability to learn, flexibility, self-motivation,
self-regulation, self-assurance, team working and communication skills. Career
opportunities for successful graduates will be found in the following areas:
The Civil Service
The European Civil Service in Brussels
A career in the Diplomatic Corps
Postgraduate study either here in Greece or in other European countries
Postgraduate studies at the National Centre of Public Administration which
will open up a number of executive posts in Ministries such as the Ministry of
Finance or Public Administration
ASSESSMENT
The English modules are all assessed by way of an end of term examination and
overall performance and participation is sessions.
Course Assignments are set in later modules. On occasion, successful
performance in these assignments qualify the students for exemption from the
end of term exams.
CONSULTATION-TUTORIALS
Mr. G. Diamantis and Mrs. Danae Kozanoglou, will be available at set hours for
consultation with students. If for whatever reason you are having problems with
your English course, please speak with either member of staff as soon as
possible – problems left too late may not be able to be resolved.
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SELF- STUDY GUIDE
Study at University is probably quite unlike your previous academic experiences.
It is good practice to get into the habit of organizing your time from the beginning
of your studies. This section intends to give some practical advice to maximise
your learning experience.
Working on Your Own
You have left school so nobody will be standing over you to make sure you work,
though you must produce satisfactory work that has been set for you. If you are
not used to working on your own it is worth making the effort now to get into the
habit of doing so.
Planning Your Time
You must get used to planning your time effectively – it is worth noting that a full-
time undergraduate normally needs around 40 hours study a week.
Some people do not need to make timetable and plans, but if you have difficulties
with planning your time, it is worth writing down a plan, bearing in mind lecture
and tutorial times as well as the following points:
You are the only person who knows at what time of the day you work best,
so make sure that you set aside that in advance as working time
Decide early on where you work best – your room, University library or
whatever and get into the habit of working there
Decide at what pace you work best, some people work best in short spells
and others get going well only when working in large blocks of time.
Get the day off and the working week off to a good start – don’t leave
things to the end of the week
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Talk to other students – they can provide useful information and guide you
how your own performance
Reading
Regular and substantial reading is essential for a good performance in all your
modules. Each module has its own reading list with core and additional reading.
With reading bear in mind the following points:
Different types of reading matter – journal article, book, company report,
government report, web article all need to be read at different speeds
If the reading is particularly difficult – read it through once to get the gist of
the argument and then a second time in more detail, always have a pencil
ready to underline or make notes in the margin
You do not necessarily have to read the book from cover to cover – one of
the important skills you should work on is reading for gist and with the aid
of index and contents work out what material is directly relevant
The most important thing is not how you read but how much you take in –
if you find yourself getting bored or tired – take a break
You are also encouraged to develop your reading outside the set texts and
required reading of the course. There is a wide range of material available and
below is a list of recommended reading material which can be easily found:
o Newspapers – The Times, The Independent, The Guardian, The
International Herald & Tribune (which also includes Kathimerini in
English). Don’t forget Greek newspapers which keep you up to date
with developments in Greek affairs
o Magazines – The Economist, Time, Newsweek,
o Journal – Foreign Affairs and a wide range of European Journals
which are available in the library Websites – all of the above have
websites although some material may be restricted either to
subscribers or by setting a charge. You are also encouraged to
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access the European Union website which contains all the up to
date developments in the EU – www.europa.eu.int
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Semester 1: Weekly syllabus
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WEEK Materials-Texts
Accuracy and appropriacy in spoken and written communication
1Unit 4: a. English & other languagesb.The Athens Olympic Games-DopingSkills focus: spoken communication, fluency
2Unit 2: Athens Metro-Suburban-Tram, new means of transport
Skills focus:Written communication componentSpoken communication
B.B.V : Management p. 182 Word formation 1 Word partnerships 1 Social English
Accuracy focus: Word Order
3Unit 8: European Union The “three pillars of the European Union
Skills focus:Written communication componentSpoken communication
B.B.V The Law What’s the job Word formation 2 Word partnerships 2 The Passive Voice
Accuracy focus: Passive Voice
4Units : 3, 15,19,21 Computers in EducationComputers- Types of Computer-The Parts of a Computer- Capabilities and LimitationsThe Electronic Office (p. 235)
Skills focus:Written communication componentSpoken communication
B.B.V Industrial Relations Word formation 3 Word partnerships 3
Accuracy focus: Conditionals- I wish- If only
5 Unit 1: The Limits on Economic
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Freedom
Skills focus:Written communication componentSpoken communication
B.B.V Buying and Selling Word groups 1 An A to Z of economics: Layman’s guide (p. 363) Word partnerships 4 Increasing efficiency
Accuracy focus: Verbs of communicationReported Discourse
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6Unit: 17 Risks in International trade
Skills focus:Written communication componentSpoken communication
B.B.V International Trade Word groups 2 An A to Z of economics: Layman’s guide (p. 363) Word partnerships 5 Expressions with “in”
Accuracy focus: Relative Clauses
7Text: Unit 7 : Marketing
Skills focus:Written communication componentSpoken communication
B.B.V : Marketing p 246 Investing Word partnerships 6 Confusing words
Accuracy focus: Had better-Would rather
8 Unit 12: Franchising
Skills focus:Written communication componentSpoken communication
B.B.V Public Relations Word partnerships 7 Make or do?
Accuracy focus: Types of comparison
9 Unit 9: Pollution
Skills focus:Written communication componentSpoken communication
B.B.V Personnel Word partnerships 8
Accuracy focus: Rather-fairly-pretty-quite
10 Units 24 & 26 : Multinational
Companies-Global CorporationsB.B.V Advertising Word partnerships 9
Accuracy focus: Prepositions
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Skills focus:Written communication componentSpoken communication
Course Material:
a. G.V.Diamantis, Study English for Business Educational Purposes, Interbooks publ. 1998
b Γ.Β.ΔΙΑΜΑΝΤΗΣ, Ασκήσεις Γραμματικής και Σύνταξης της Αγγλικής Γλώσσας, εκδ.Σταμούλης, 1996c. Lecture notes
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Course Assessment:
1 Final End of Term Exam 2 Class performance
Course Objectives: The course aims to consolidate and utilise previously acquired language further develop receptive and productive skills (listening-reading-speaking and
writing) using specialised texts relevant to the students field of study familiarize students with specialised topics and language raise awareness in appropriacy requirements in different professional and social
contexts
Students can meet their tutors at: 150 Androutsou St., Office 401
For more details, look up the Department of International and European Studies on the university website under: Προγράμματα Σπουδών, 1ο εξάμηνο, Μάθημα¨Αγγλική Γλώσσα και κλικ στη (Βλ. Προσωπική Σελίδα διδάσκοντος ).
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Semester 3: Weekly Syllabus
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WEEK Materials-Texts
Accuracy and appropriacy in spoken and written communication
1A world empire by other means.Language across frontiers.
2Unit 12: Politics
Skills focus:Written communication componentSpoken communicationSocialising
Accuracy focus
3 Unit 7.1: Ideology
Spoken communicationSocialising
4 Unit 7.2: Expressing beliefs and opinions in politics.
Spoken communicationTelephone Communications
5 Unit 5: State
Spoken communicationTelephone Communications
6 Unit 2: Law
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Spoken communicationInternational Trade & Finance
7 Unit 2.2 Law & Order
Spoken communicationInternational Trade & Finance
8 Unit 1: Authority & Crime
9 Unit 8: Sovereignty 8.2 Opinions, attitudes & beliefs
10 Remedial work
Course Material:
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a. G.V.Diamantis, English for Politics & Law, Interbooks publ. 2002b. G.V.Diamantis, English for Business Communication, Interbooks publ. 2002
c. Lecture notes
Course Assessment:
1 Final End of Term Exam 2 Class performance and participation
Course Objectives:
The course aims to: further develop the students’ awareness in processes involved in receptive and
productive skills Introduce basic concepts in politics, law and international trade train learners in identifying features of spoken and written discourse enhance the students’ abilities in accessing sources of information, e.g. articles
and other publications, critically and selectively. Students will at this point be encouraged and expected to utilize all knowledge resources more fully.
develop specific areas of professional communication, e.g. job interviews, business presentations etc.
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Students can meet their tutors at: 150 Androutsou St., Office 401
For more details, look up the Department of International and European Studies on the university website under: Προγράμματα Σπουδών, 1ο εξάμηνο, Μάθημα¨Αγγλική Γλώσσα και κλικ στη (Βλ. Προσωπική Σελίδα διδάσκοντος ).
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Semester 5: Weekly breakdown
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WEEK Materials-Texts
Accuracy and appropriacy in spoken and written communication
1 A world empire by other means. Language across frontiers.
210.1 The Role of Government
Skills focus:Written communication componentSpoken communication
3 10.2 Government Corruption
2.1 European Trade 2.2 The Euro
Academic Essay WritingUnit 5
4 2.3 EMU
Business meetings
EPL 2.1 Law
Academic Essay WritingUnit 5
5 2.4 Eurotrash
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Business meetings
EPL 2.2 Law and Order
Academic Essay WritingUnit 5
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6 Unit 7 Economics and EcologyBusiness meetings
Academic Essay WritingUnit 5
7 8.1 Online services8.2 Electronic commerce
Business Negotiations
8 EPL 12.1 Politics12.2 Politics and Public Institutions
Business Negotiations
9 9.1 Labour Unions
Business Negotiations
10 EPL 7.2 Expressing Beliefs and Opinions in Politics
Course Material:
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a. G.V.Diamantis, English for Politics & Law, Interbooks publ. 2002b. English for Business Communication, Interbooks publ. 2002c. Writing & Translating in English for Business English,
Interbooks publ. 2004
d. F.Sivridou, Essay Writing, Interbooks publ. 1999 e. Lecture notes
Course Assessment:
1 Final End of Term Exam 2 Class performance and participation
Course Objectives: The course aims to:
Provide opportunities for students to access more specialized texts and to discuss important issues in law, politics, global trade and economics
Further develop the students’ skills and strategies in professional, social and academic contexts
Input pragmatic and linguistic information in specialist areas Raise awareness regarding style and appropriacy in given contexts Help students to extend their language and communication resources Enhance skills and abilities such as active listening, presenting information,
effective interaction etc.
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Students can meet their tutors at: 150 Androutsou St., Office 401
For more details, look up the Department of International and European Studies on the university website under: Προγράμματα Σπουδών, 1ο εξάμηνο, Μάθημα¨Αγγλική Γλώσσα και κλικ στη ( Βλ. Προσωπική Σελίδα διδάσκοντος ).
7th Semester: Presentations
Communication in context
The presentations will be:
based on topics which are included in your set course books. organised as team tasks, i.e. 4-member groups evaluated in terms of content as well as manner of delivery, i.e.
effectiveness of presentation/communication skills confirmed and timetabled after consultation with tutors
7th semester students who wish to book topic areas for presentations are required to meet with their tutors at 150 Androutsou from the 20th
of October to the 12th of November. The names of the four group members should also be submitted. Please note that no extensions will be given beyond the 12th of November.
Students are required to research the area of their choice, access sources of information such as other publications, e.g. books, journals, magazines, as well as the web in order to collect and subsequently select relevant information, materials and ideas. As successful teamwork is an integral part and aim of this task, students should be prepared to meet, discuss, prepare, edit and coordinate their findings on an ongoing basis.
Stages of the preparation process should include:
A tutorial meeting to submit/ discuss the topic area chosen and book a date.
An initial group meeting to determine the content of the presentation and agree different areas to research. It is advisable to
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assign different areas and/or tasks to different members to ensure that the workload is shared equally. Groups should also set a deadline by which all members will have collected the necessary data and/or materials. At this point a date should also be agreed for a second group meeting.
A subsequent group meeting to select, coordinate and collate findings. At this point teams should also decide on the overall outline and staging of the presentation content.
Team members should then work on their individual areas, plan, draft and edit and initial version of their presentation. Please note that: Overhead transparencies (OHT s) should be planned in a way which:
highlights salient points serves as background to the actual presentation is clearly organised and assists the audience presents issues in a succinct and clear manner
Initially, team members are advised to simply draft their OHT s, ready to discuss with the rest of the group for further editing and re-drafting.
A tutorial meeting would be advisable at this stage, provided that all materials and notes have been completed in draft form. Teams would be able to check an/or discuss any aspects of their presentations with their tutors and seek assistance.
Team members finalise individual drafts and participate in a final group meeting prior to their presentations.
Please bear in mind that there will be a 20-minute time limit for each presentation. An additional 5 to 10 minutes will be allotted to questions and answers or comments by the audience.
The style of each group presentation is expected to combine input of information/data as well as interaction with the audience. In other words, presenters should not attempt to write a continuous text which they can read aloud. The main aim of this assignment is to develop and use communication skills which are necessary for effective communication, and interaction with the audience.
Each group will be invited to self-evaluate their presentation in terms of content, organization and manner of delivery/effectiveness according to set criteria.
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The audience will also be required to respond actively to each presentation and to evaluate their peers according to the same criteria.
The audience will also be evaluated according to set criteria by each group of presenters as well as their tutors.
Presentations will be evaluated both in terms of content as well as manner, i.e. effectiveness of presentation, presentation and effective communication skills.
Please bear in mind that each team member will be required to contribute their part to the final presentation.
Successful presentations will qualify team members for exemption from final, end of term examinations.
Each presentation will be assessed as a three-part assignment:
PART 1 Notes, outline, sources, appendices, glossary of up to 10 key words/phrases
PART 2 Presentation materials, i.e. overhead transparencies, visuals, handouts
PART 3 Effectiveness of presentation/delivery
PARTS 1 &2 will be submitted by all groups by the ……
Topic areas you may choose from, for your research and presentations.
1. Corruption- a. cases of entanglement-interconnected interest of power orb. cases of graft (= use of illegal or unfair means esp. bribery to
gain an advantage in business, politics.c. Judiciaryd. Justice
2. Meritocracy3. Bureaucracy
4. a. Racialism- Racism b. Race-Ethnicity5. Rights-Civil Rights- Human Rights-Bill of Rights
6. Citizenship
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7. Referendum8. Public Opinion Polls vs. Political Culture
9. Political Party10. Opposition11. Election12. Cabinet13. Coalition 14. Constitution15. Prime Minister16. President-Sleaze 17. Parliamentary Government18. Presidential Government - Local Government19. Separation of Powers
20. Hegemony21. Devolution22. Subsidiarity (vs. sovereignty vs. solidarity)
23. Conservatism- Christian Democracy-Toryism24. Capitalism25. Socialism- Social Democracy 26. Third Way27. Liberalism- Libertarianism 28. Religious Fundamentalisms29. Communism30. Communitarianism31. Marxism - Social Class32. Nazism33. Anarchism34. Fascism-Dictatorship35. Ecologism36. Nationalism- Nation vs. State37. Supranationalism38. Imperialism39. Patriotism40. Federalism41. Intergovenrmentalism 42. Feminism43. Pluralism44. Elitism
45. Democracy 46. Liberal Democracy
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47. Monarchy48. Revolution –Social Movement
49. Political Science- Political Theory
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WEEK Materials-Texts
Accuracy and appropriacy in spoken and written communication
1 A world empire by other means. Language across frontiers.
2004 Nobel Peace Prize
2Assignment tutorial
12 Politics
3 8 Sovereignty
Part 6 1 Bureaucracy
4 8 SovereigntyAssignment tutorial
Business Communication: International Trade
5
Presentation topics: 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
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6 Presentation topics: 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
7 Presentation topics: 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
8 Presentation topics: 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
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9 Presentation topics: 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
10 Presentation topics: 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Course Material:
a. G.V.Diamantis, English for Politics & Law, Interbooks publ. 2002b. English for Business Communication, Interbooks publ. 2002
c. Lecture notes
Course Assessment:
1 Assignment Presentation and/or2 End of term exams
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Course Objectives: The course aims to:
Provide opportunities for students to access more specialized texts and to discuss important issues in law, politics, global trade and economics
Further develop the students’ skills and strategies in professional, social and academic contexts
Input pragmatic and linguistic information in specialist areas Raise awareness regarding style and appropriacy in given contexts Help students to extend their language and communication resources Enhance skills and abilities such as active listening, presenting information,
effective interaction etc.
Students can meet their tutors at: 150 Androutsou St., Office 401
For more details, look up the Department of International and European Studies on the university website under: Προγράμματα Σπουδών, 1ο εξάμηνο, Μάθημα¨Αγγλική Γλώσσα και κλικ στη ( Βλ. Προσωπική Σελίδα διδάσκοντος ).
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