- Inter-faculty Studies in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Computer Science
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Mathematics
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Computer Science
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Mathematics
Academic English 3300-AE-OG
In terms of language, we will introduce and practice the skills and systems needed to write an academic text, to better understand academic readings, and to better organise academic presentations. In terms of content, the course deals with the reading of academic papers and writing of academic texts, which bear characteristic features (stylistic and/or rhetorical) of the main genre, as well as with the key principles of structure of information. The course consists of 30 hours (15 x 90 minutes).
Below you can find a list of topics that will be covered in the course. The number of topics does not match the number of meetings:
List of topics:
1. The importance of academic vocabulary
2. Conciseness and clarity in academic discourse
3. The use of verb tenses in academic discourse
4. Organizing a text in paragraphs
5. Connecting sentences
6. Comparing and contrasting information
7. The academic (critical) argument
8. Summarizing and paraphrasing
9. Nominalization in academic discourse
10. Hedging (softening criticism, establishing the author’s voice)
11. Formatting: citing and referencing, the sections of a research paper
Type of course
Prerequisites (description)
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes:
- Acquiring the writing skills mentioned in the course description.
- Being able to identify characteristics of academic discourse in academic reading.
- Being able to utilize the characteristics of academic discourse in academic writing and speaking.
- Being able to produce academic discourse (written or oral) following the expected formatting.
Knowledge:
- Students are able to identify and use academic vocabulary.
- Students are able to express themselves in English correctly, with precision and coherence, adjusting language forms to the communicational context.
- Students are able to summarise and paraphrase academic discourse
Skills:
- Students are able to analyze and produce academic discourse.
- Students are able to format academic discourse accordingly.
Social competences:
- Students understand the importance of academic discourse in academic contexts.
- Students understand how to express themselves clearly and politely, and with academic authority
Assessment criteria
Attendance is mandatory. Three absences are allowed. The final mark will be an average of the mid-term and the final test. Both tests will be writing tasks performed in class.
Bibliography
Arnold, J. & J. Harmer, Advanced Writing Skills, Longman 1978.
Cory, Hugh, Advanced Writing with English in Use, OUP 1996.
Jordan, R.R., Academic Writing, Longman 1997.
Macpherson, R., English for Writers and Translators, PWN 1996.
Oshima, Alice & Anne Hogue, Writing Academic English, Longman 1999.
Trzeciak, S. & S.E.Mackay, Study Skills for Academic Writing, Prentice Hall 1994.
McCarthy, M. & F. O’Dell, Academic Vocabulary in Use (2nd Ed.). Cambridge University Press 2016.
OBS: Other texts will be provided during classes
Additional information
Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes:
- Inter-faculty Studies in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Computer Science
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Mathematics
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Computer Science
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Mathematics
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: