English, Research Writing in the Humanities and Social Sciences, 7.5 Credits

Contents

The course is intended for second-cycle students who write academic prose in English. Diverse academic text genres and writing strategies for L1 and L2 are studied with a starting point in a research survey of the research field of academic writing. By examining such research on rhetoric, conventions and stylistics, and then applying the knowledge thus acquired to their own writing, the students will develop a broader repertoire of writing strategies. The course is focused on linguistic aspects in English that present particular challenges in academic writing. Such aspects will be explored from a functional perspective, for example the specific challenges often encountered when writing about other people's research or academic works. The course also explores digital tools that can support the writing of texts and lexical precision. Continuous writing and response exercises are part of the course and the teacher will provide feedback throughout the course. Ideally, students should be in a 'writing phase' of their academic studies.

Expected learning outcomes

To be awarded a Pass grade, the student should be able to:
 
Knowledge and understanding

• demonstrate knowledge of central concepts in the research field of academic writing
• account for the characteristics of academic texts from different academic disciplines
• demonstrate knowledge of research on effective writing practices in the student's own academic discourse

Competence and skills

• analyse and apply linguistic features in academic texts relevant to the student's own academic discipline
• write and revise academic texts in English with a good command of the language and with due observance of academic writing rules relevant to the student's own discipline
• use digital resources that support lexical development and language correctness
• provide constructive response to other students' academic texts

Judgement and approach

• critically examine academic argumentation.

Required Knowledge

One of the following alternatives:
1) Bachelor's degree (180 credits)
2) 90 university credits, of which at least 7,5 credits must come from an independent project, or equivalent qualifications
Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B/6

Form of instruction

The course is entirely net-based, and instruction consists of online lectures, practical exercises, peer and teacher response. The student is expected to actively participate in discussions and complete written assignments. This is to be done within set time frames. The medium of instruction is English and a knowledge of Swedish is not required.

Examination modes

Examination consists of assessment of the student's active participation in group discussions and of individual written assignments.  

The examiner can decide on deviations from the modes of examination in the syllabus for a student who has been determined eligible for pedagogical support due to a disability. Individual adjustments to the mode of examination will be made on the basis of the student's needs. The mode of examination will be adjusted in relation to the expected learning outcomes. Student in need of Individual adjustments to the mode of examination, should request this at the department no later than 10 days before the examination. The examiner makes a decision based on the request, and the decision is communicated to the student.

Grades awarded for individual written assignments are Pass with distinction (Väl godkänd (VG)), Pass (Godkänd (G)) or Fail (Underkänd (U)). Grades awarded for active participation in group discussions are Pass (Godkänd) or Fail (Underkänd). All examination is conducted in English.  
 
A student who has been awarded a Pass grade cannot be re-examined.
 
A student who has not received a Pass grade on an exam has the right to re-take the exam (a re-sit) on a course on which they have ever been registered. The first re-sit shall be offered no later than two months after the regular exam, but no earlier than ten working days after the result of that exam has been announced. For tests held in May or June, the first re-sit may be offered within three months of the regular exam. The date for the re-sit shall be announced no later than in conjunction with the regular exam. At least one more re-sit shall be offered within a year of the regular exam.  
 
In cases where an exam cannot be repeated according to the rules in effect regarding re-sits, it will be replaced with another task. The scope and content of such a task should be reasonably proportionate to the missed exam.
 
An examiner may decide that a student who has not quite met the examination requirements, but is close to a Pass grade, be given the opportunity to take a supplementary examination to achieve the Pass grade. Such an examination shall be individually tailored to the goal(s) that the student has not met, and shall be arranged within two weeks after the result of the examination has been announced, but before the next examination session. A supplementary examination can only raise a Fail grade to a Pass grade; award of a grade higher than Pass is not allowed. If the student so wishes, they have the right to take a re-sit instead of a supplementary examination, which gives them the opportunity to achieve a Pass with Distinction.

Other regulations

The final date for the submission/completion of assignments falls on the last day of the semester, unless otherwise stated by the teacher. All assignments need to be completed or submitted within the time frame set by the teacher in order to be considered for examination, otherwise they must be completed over again.

In the event of a decision that the course will no longer be offered, or if the syllabus has been revised, students are guaranteed at least three exams (including the regular one) based on the previous syllabus during a time of no more than two years after the previous syllabus ceased to apply or the decision was made that the course no longer be offered.