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Regular version of the site
Bachelor 2021/2022

Academic Writing

Type: Compulsory course
Area of studies: International Relations
When: 1 year, 3, 4 module
Mode of studies: offline
Open to: students of one campus
Instructors: Anastasiia Makareva, Ekaterina Talalakina
Language: English
ECTS credits: 4
Contact hours: 54

Course Syllabus

Abstract

The course is designed to introduce the students to college writing, specifically to the peculiarities of the academic essay. The course focuses on the key elements of English for Academic Purposes such as the lexis and grammar typical of academic genre. The course is tailored to the specific needs of the International Relations major, hence the activities build on the topics relevant to IR. The course activities highlight the peculiarities of various types of academic essays with the special emphasis on argumentative type. Additionally, the use of sources is practiced through the application of the APA style of referencing.
Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

  • To build the basic skills of academic argumentation in English and written representation of undergraduate research in the sphere of international affairs
  • To acquire the basic skills of Academic Writing (structural elements, academic register peculiarities, academic vocabulary)
  • To apply AW skills to the specific subject area of International Affairs
  • To master academic presentation
Expected Learning Outcomes

Expected Learning Outcomes

  • Awareness of the academic genre peculiarities, criticizing a paragraph based on genre
  • Familiarity with APA style
  • Familiarity with various types of claims
  • The skill of comparing and contrasting using appropriate transisions
  • The skill of evaluating sources
  • The skill of identifying logical fallacies
  • The skill of making an APA style list using academic sources
  • The skill of proofreading the essay for the correct use of the punctuation signs
  • The skill of synthesizing information
  • The skill of using cause and effect connectors and structural elements
  • The skill of using concordancers to check collocations
  • The skill of using definitions
  • The skill of using formal style in academic writing
  • The skill of using hedging devices
  • The skill of using paraphrasal strategies
  • The skill of using the academic sources in preparation for the literature review
  • The skill of using transition signals to signpost the flow of ideas
  • The skills of outlining an essay
Course Contents

Course Contents

  • Essay plan
  • Academic genre
  • Punctuation
  • Relationships and connectors
  • Formal and Informal style
  • Facts vs opinions
  • Academic collocations
  • Comparison and contrast
  • Selecting and evaluating sources
  • Incorporating references in APA
  • Ways to avoid plagiarism
  • APA reference list
  • Literature Review
  • Types of Arguments
  • Logical Fallacies
  • Hedging
  • Definition
  • Cause and effect
Assessment Elements

Assessment Elements

  • non-blocking writing (e.g. essays)
  • non-blocking quizzes
  • non-blocking speaking (e.g. presentations)
  • non-blocking portfolio
Interim Assessment

Interim Assessment

  • 2021/2022 4th module
    0.2 * portfolio + 0.3 * speaking (e.g. presentations) + 0.2 * quizzes + 0.3 * writing (e.g. essays)
Bibliography

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

  • Johnson, A. P. (2016). Academic Writing : Process and Product. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1222793
  • Tusting, K., McCulloch, S., Bhatt, I., Hamilton, M., & Barton, D. (2019). Academics Writing : The Dynamics of Knowledge Creation. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=2138179
  • Wallwork, A. (2016). English for Academic Research: Grammar, Usage and Style. New York: Springer. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=528290

Recommended Additional Bibliography

  • Bailey, S. (2017). Academic Writing : A Handbook for International Students (Vol. Fifth edition). London: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1650435
  • Write Here, Right Now : An Interactive Introduction to Academic Writing and Research. (2018). Place of publication not identified: publisher not identified. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsotl&AN=edsotl.OTLid0000681
  • Казарова, Е.И. Writing Practice. Учебное пособие по развитию навыков письменной речи [Электронный ресурс] / Е.И. Казарова. — 3-е изд., стер. — Москва : ФЛИНТА. 2019. — 102 с.. – ISBN 978-5-9765-2004-2. – Режим доступа: https://new.znanium.com/catalog/product/1047957