English A, Academic Writing: Intensive Course, 7.5 Credits

Contents

The course focus is on the analysis of and practice producing genres and text types. Included are genre-awareness tasks, written exercises that focus on linguistic elements of English as connected to rhetorical tasks, and analyses of text functions via online group discussions and individual written work. Students will compose various types of texts, participate in peer review, revise final drafts, and receive instructor feedback on each text. Outlining and corpus study are included in the course.
 

Expected learning outcomes

In order to be awarded a 'Pass' grade, the student must be able to
Knowledge and Understanding:

• demonstrate an understanding of the ways that genre is connected to discourse practices.
• demonstrate familiarity with general practices within academic writing and with the ways that rhetorical functions are reflected in English.
• demonstrate understanding of the strategies available in the writing process. 

Abilities

• demonstrate ability to apply knowledge of academic language features, text structure and methods of text cohesion as connected to various text types and as connected to one’s own discourse community.
• demonstrate use of writing process strategies through outlining, peer reviewing, composing and revising.
• demonstrate correct usage of English vocabulary, syntax and punctuation.
• demonstrate the ability to work in an online forum with peer review, including keeping to deadlines and to the intent of the activity.
• demonstrate the ability to complete tasks within given time limits.

Judgment and Approach

• make informed judgments regarding their own and their peers’ texts in consideration of the rhetorical/genre requirements, the usage of English, and the needs of the reader.

Required Knowledge

Gy:  Knowledge of English equivalent of English 6/English Course B.
Univ: At least 60 ECTS-

Knowledge of Swedish is not required since the course is taught entirely in English.

Form of instruction

As this course is entirely net-based, students must have access to a computer in order to be able to complete the course assignments. For information about minimum computer and internet access requirements, please see www.sprak.umu.se/student/dokument.
 

Examination modes

Evaluation of a number of written assignments.

The grades awarded for this course will be “Pass” (Godkänd), “Pass with distinction” (Väl godkänd)  or “Fail” (Underkänd). Students who receive a “Pass” (Godkänd) may not be re-examined.

Students who do not get a “Pass” (Godkänd) on an examination have the right to participate in a new examination in the course where they were once registered. The first re-examination will be offered within two months of the original examination, though not earlier than ten working days after the results of the original examination have been provided. For examinations that are conducted during June, the first re-examination may be offered within three months of the original examination.

The deadline for handing in papers is generally the last day of the term, unless otherwise stated by the teacher.
 
A student who fails an examination twice has the right to apply to the Board of the Humanities Faculty to have another teacher appointed to grade their next examination paper.
 
A student who has been accepted for this course can take the examination(s) involved according to the syllabus that was current at the time of their acceptance for up to two years after the student first registered for the course.
 
Credit transfers
Applications for credit transfers are handled by the Umeå University Student Services Unit (see http://www.umu.se/utbildning/antagning/tillgodoraknande/).