Academic English Writing

2023/2024

Type: Optional course

Delivered by: School of Sociology

When: 1-3 module

Open to: students of one campus

Instructors: Arnab Roy Chowdhury

Language: English

ECTS credits: 2

Contact hours: 36

Full Syllabus

Abstract

The course is designed to assist 4th year undergraduate students in writing a project proposal in social sciences in English. The main elements of the course are preparing drafts of various parts of the project proposal. The course is taught in English. The expected level of English is B2, or upper intermediate, as per the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).

Learning Objectives

The course is designed to prepare students for work in academic and consulting fields in which research writing is a requirement. The class will combine lectures, discussions, and practice sessions to reinforce students’ skills in communicating ideas in oral presentations and in clear and effective academic prose. The course is divided into multiple lectures that will teach you how to write a BA thesis research proposal (a concise version), a longer version, and the BA thesis. In various parts of the course, you will learn to construct the micro-level “building blocks” of effective academic writing, such as choosing stronger words, writing concise and effective sentences, and shaping strong paragraphs. The course also focuses on rhetoric, cohesion, and incorporating evidence. Problem and solution, cause and effect, and other key models of academic argumentation will be reviewed. Eventually, the course also consolidates students’ visual presentation and oral discussion skills. All parts of the course incorporate exercises for the confident use of academic language and argumentation styles.

Expected Learning Outcomes

Complete a full draft of their qualification Project Proposal; prepare its presentation and defense
Improve academic vocabulary, learn to choose stronger words
Understand the advantages and disadvantages of using passive vs active voice
Write concise, effective sentences and paragraphs
Introduce, position and integrate source material into the body of a paper; employ quotation, paraphrase and summary; avoid plagiarism

Course Contents

Session 1 Overview. Structuring a sentence: word order.
Session 2 . Sentences. Word order.
Session 3. Paragraphs.
Session 4. Paragraphs.
Session 5. Summarizing, paraphrasing, quotations.
Session 6. Literature review.
Session 7. Summarizing, paraphrasing, quotations.
Session 8. Organization and cohesion.
Session 9. Grant Proposals.
Session 10. Submitting an article. Polishing and proofreading.
Session 11. Introduction to the Project Proposal.
Session 12. Methods and Hypotheses.
Session 13. Conclusion, Abstract and Title.
Session 14. Communicating with visual aids. Oral defense.
Session 15. In-class presentation of a peer-reviewed journal article OR own Project Proposal

Assessment Elements

Summarizing exercise
Instructor’s review of at-home writing composition
Literature Review - draft
Instructor’s review of at-home writing composition
Methods and Hypothesis –draft
Instructor’s review of at-home writing composition
Introduction - draft
Instructor’s review of at-home writing composition
Conclusion and Abstract - draft
Instructor’s review of at-home writing composition

Interim Assessment

2023/2024 3rd module
0.2 * Conclusion and Abstract - draft + 0.2 * Introduction - draft + 0.4 * Literature Review - draft + 0.1 * Methods and Hypothesis –draft + 0.1 * Summarizing exercise

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Bailey, S. (2015). Academic Writing : A Handbook for International Students (Vol. Fourth edition). Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=862062

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Hartley, J. (2008). Academic Writing and Publishing : A Practical Handbook. New York: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=224109

Course Syllabus