Content, progress and pedagogy of the module

The module focuses on two subject areas, Academic Communication and Grammar. It comprises relevant coursework and associated exercises. Each subject area is evaluated through a partial exam. Both partial exams must be passed.

The course in Academic Communication introduces the components of academic writing and argument, citation habits, source evaluation practices, and the use of internal and external source citations in academic writing.

The course in Grammar introduces students to the study of English syntax (sentence structure) from an academic perspective. The course also introduces areas of English grammar particularly relevant to the development of academic writing skills. The course provides the foundation for the Grammar part of the module English Communication and Grammar.

Learning objectives

Knowledge

Within Academic Communication, students completing the module attain

Knowledge and understanding of:

• basic standards and traditions of academic writing, including organization, research methods, writing with scholarly literature and using formal citation style guides
• basic parts of an academic argument (e.g., claim, evidence, reasoning) and position statements.

Within Grammar, students completing the module attain

Knowledge and understanding of:

• English syntax (sentence structure), including grammatical terms and methods relevant to the analysis of English sentences
• areas of English grammar necessary for the development of strong academic writing.

Skills

Within Academic Communication, students completing the module attain

Skills in:

• writing arguments that demonstrate understanding of the basic structure and standards of academic writing
• using academic sources appropriately (both internally and externally) and with correct citation format (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago Style).

Within Grammar, students completing the module attain

Skills in:

• applying grammatical terms and methods in syntactic analysis of concrete English sentences
• applying knowledge of English grammar in academic writing.

Competences

Within Academic Communication, students completing the module attain

Competences in:

• recognizing and explaining the parts of effective arguments in scholarly publications in fields related to international studies
• writing effective academic arguments that clearly communicate a given position to an appropriate audience and with a clear purpose

Within Grammar, students completing the module attain

Competences in:

• demonstrating how syntactic choices affect communication (e.g., in terms of ambiguity, emphasis, and style)
• writing in academic English that employs effective grammar and language choices, appropriate for the primary audience and writing purpose

Type of instruction

Please see § 17 in the curriculum.

Exam

Exams