Conspiracy Theories (E / O 21 PG1, Tues.

11am-1pm)
Welcome to the course! Here is some basic information on what we will be covering and what
we aim to achieve.

Why conspiracy theories?

WHAT we mean by conspiracy theories will be discussed in the first lesson. We will use them to
practice arguing a case for or against a particular conspiracy theory.
Aims of the course
1. To introduce you to academic writing style, particularly persuasive or argumentative
writing of the type you will encounter in the reading and writing sections of the HF exam.
2. To practice listening to authentic English audio sources discussing controversial topics –
but also to learn to improve your listening skills on your own.
3. To develop reading skills (for the most part) in fairly formal contexts, particularly
emphasising comprehension of the underlying points the author is making. They will
mainly be texts that develop an argument.

Plan for the semester

 You will all at some point in the course present one conspiracy theory in class orally:
o ONE STUDENT taking a position AGREEING with the theory
o ONE STUDENT taking a position CHALLENGING the theory
 the two students agree who takes which side.
 For further details – see the “Format of the Debate” hand-out.
 Then, after you have presented in class, you write an argumentative text (250-350 words)
TAKING THE OPPOSITE POSITION TO WHAT YOU PRESENTED IN CLASS.
Deadline: the week after your debate!
 You also have to write an essay taking a position on ONE of the other debates presented.

Homework Tasks necessary to pass the course

 The two essays just mentioned and at least one other essay not related to the debates.
 There will be other homework tasks and projects to be done on the Moodle site. It is
important that Moodle tasks are done within the time I set.
 All essays have to be handed in the week after I set them, unless I say otherwise.
 General deadline: No more homework will be accepted, (except the last task set), later
than 8th January.
Other dates to note
 Course test and last lesson: 22nd January.
 Pass/fail will be entered in ViaCampus by the Sunday after that so you have time to register
for the HF exam.
 The HF exam is on Fri 1st Feb.. Registration deadline is Tues. 29th January.

Assessment
You will be marked 50% on continuous assessment of your course work, 50% on a course test at
the end.
A. Class assessment will be based on:
1. Participation in discussions in class. (No participation, no marks!)
2. Homework tasks.
3. One listening task done in class under test conditions (two if time permits).
4. Contributions online (Moodle) including written texts, blogs, forum exchanges, feedback
online to other students.

B. The class test will involve a Reading Comprehension and an essay in the style of the HF exam.
Attendance
Do not forget that you have to attend a minimum of 75% of the course. For this semester this
works out as missing three lessons maximum: this includes unavoidable causes such as exams
and sickness!
Moodle
JOIN MOODLE as a matter of priority – you should do this by next Sunday and tell me in the
next lesson if there were problems. Problems with your university E-mail address need resolving
immediately with the Computer Centre.
Instructions for joining:

1. You will need your VIADRINA email address- all students at the university are given
one. You cannot register with other addresses.
2. Go to https://moodle.europa-uni.de/
Sign up to Moodle following the instructions. Use for entering Moodle the password you
use for your Viadrina E-mail.
3. Join the course – it is listed as
" E O21/1 vC_3202024 or
“E O21/PG1 (Bland) Conspiracy Theories (11am-1pm)”.

4. You will need to give the enrolment password, which is "Men_in_Black".

Homework for next week

Please do the Reading Comprehension task handed out – in note form, to discuss next week. And
choose your topic for the debate and put it on Moodle.