Course detail

Conversation through Hot Current Issues

FEKT-XPC-KATAcad. year: 2026/2027

The course will cover the following topics.

How Much Is Enough?: Billionaires and Well-Being

Between Tradition and Change: The Evolution of Social Values

Different Paths to Justice: How Should We Judge Human Actions?

Beyond Gender: The Future of Identity

Immigration and Racism: We All Bleed the Same Colour

Redefining Technological Progress: Are We Evolving or Just Automating?

Raw Strength: Mastery Without Tech

Religion and the Modern World: Conflict or Coexistence?

Beyond the Ordinary: Thinking Outside the Box

The Art of Living: Practical Paths to Human Flourishing

Language of instruction

English, Czech

Number of ECTS credits

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

Mgr. Agata Walek, Ph.D.

Department

Department of Foreign Languages (UJAZ)

Offered to foreign students

Of all faculties

Entry knowledge

The student signed up for the class is expected to be able to:

- use general vocabulary from all common areas (family, home, food, jobs and career, health and sickness, travelling and transport, sports, hobbies)
- apply carefully grammar rules during conversation (grammar tenses, relative clauses, time clauses, conditionals, passive voice, modal verbs)
- speak clearly with certain error tolerance
- understand very well classes taught in English

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Speech – 30 p.

In-Class Mini-Presentations – 35 p.

Vocabulary Test – 35 p.

Aims

This course explores some of the most important questions facing individuals and societies in the modern world. Through intercultural discussion, case studies, ethical dilemmas, and comparative perspectives, students examine topics such as technology, justice, identity, gender, meaning, strength, freedom, and social change.

The aim of the course is not to provide definitive answers, but to develop the ability to think critically, evaluate different viewpoints, and engage in thoughtful intellectual debate. Students learn to construct arguments, question assumptions, support their opinions with evidence, and respond respectfully to opposing perspectives.

By comparing different cultures, traditions, and worldviews, participants gain a deeper understanding of both society and themselves. The course encourages intellectual curiosity, open-mindedness, and the capacity for self-reflection. It invites participants to engage in an ongoing exploration of what enables individuals and communities to confront life's difficulties with resilience, depth, and imagination.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Not applicable.

Type of course unit

Language exercise

26 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Mgr. Agata Walek, Ph.D.

Syllabus

VUT

Faculties and university institutes

Parts

Conversation through Hot Current Issues

Type of course unit