Learning objectives
At the end of the course, students will acquire competences as regards comprehension and construction of academic written discourse.
In particular, they will develop skills related to
- evaluating original sentences, paragraphs and short argumentative texts written in an academic style
- evaluating academic articles and texts as part of a process of research
- creating well-organised research questions
- constructing well-structured paragraphs for academic purposes
- focusing on the writing process to improve grammar and vocabulary for use in academic written texts
- understanding the structure and purpose of abstracts, literature reviews, and other components of research reports.
Prerequisites
Students enrolled on the programme Language Sciences and Cultural Studies for Special Needs are automatically admitted to the course, whereas all students enrolled on other programmes must hold an international certificate at a B2+/C1 level to prove their language competence in English (i.e. Ielts with a minimum score of 6.5, Toefl 79, Cambridge CAE).
Course unit content
This unit focuses on research and writing skills which are essential for students at the beginning of their post-graduate studies at university.
It aims to introduce and practise the process of planning, drafting, evaluating and editing written academic work.
Full programme
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Bibliography
Recommended readings and other learning tools will be suggested during the classes.
Further information will also be available on Elly.
Teaching methods
Short lectures; individual and group-based work; workshops;
online delivery of materials and self-assessment tools.
The recordings of parts of the lessons will be available from the Team Class. This material will interact with the components available on the dedicated Elly pages.
Assessment methods and criteria
Students will be required to write a text based on the implementation of specific models of academic writing.
Due to lack of space, the assessment grid is not provided here but made available on Elly.
A fail is determined by a substantial lack of an understanding of the minimum content of the course, th inability to express oneself adequately (orally and/or in writing), by a lack of autonomous preparation, the inability to solve problems related to information retrieval and the decoding of complex texts, as well as an inability to make independent judgments. Moreover, a fail is due to a substantial lack of competence in applying the knowledge acquired.
A pass (18-23/30 is determined by the student’s understanding of the minimum, fundamental contents of the course, an adequate level of autonomous preparation and ability to solve problems related to information retrieval and the decoding of complex texts, as well as an acceptable level of ability in making independent judgments. Moreover, a pass is due to only partial competence in applying the knowledge acquired.
Middle-range scores (24-27/30) are assigned to the student who produces evidence of a more than sufficient level (24-25/30) or good level (2627/30) in the evaluation indicators listed above. Moreover, middle range scores are due to acceptable to good levels of competence in applying the knowledge acquired.
Higher scores (from 28/30 to 30/30 cum laude) are awarded on the basis of the student’s demonstration of a very good or excellent level in the evaluation indicators listed above. Moreover, higher scores are due to very good to excellent levels of competence in applying the knowledge acquired.
Other information
Erasmus students or other exchange students, as well as students enrolled on other degree courses should provide evidence of B2+/C1 competence in English in order to take this Unit. Moreover, only students in their 1st or 2nd year of a second cycle degree course or in the 4th year of a single-cycle degree will be admitted.
2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
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