Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
The course will enable the participants to
- understand academic writing as both a creative and a practical process
- write more productively and with more ease
- present their research coherently and convincingly in different contexts
- give and receive feedback on academic texts and presentations
- develop their self-management and reflective skills as academic researchers
Credits: 6
Schedule: 20.04.2021 - 25.05.2021
Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022): Carol Kiriakos, Christa Uusi-Rauva
Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Carol Kiriakos, Christa Uusi-Rauva
Contact information for the course (valid 16.03.2021-21.12.2112):Carol Kiriakos (writing part)
email: carol.kiriakos@aalto.fi
Christa Uusi-Rauva (presentations part)
phone: 050-530 0377
email: christa.uusi-rauva@aalto.fi
CEFR level (applies in this implementation):
Language of instruction and studies (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022):
Teaching language: English
Languages of study attainment: English
CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD
Content
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
The course will help you learn how to unleash your writing and presentation potential so that you can function effectively in the academic context. It consists of two main themes that aim at supporting your dissertation process.
First, we will develop your understanding of academic writing as a comprehensive process. Here, the focus will be on making writing an integral part of your daily work by creating a writing habit, learning to manage your writing time, and identifying and practicing the use of different tools that help in the writing process. As a result, you will learn how to produce text regularly as well as identify and overcome your challenges as a writer.
Second, the course will help you develop yourself as a presenter. You will give several presentations during the course, and through practice learn how to deliver convincing, coherent and engaging research talks.
In both writing and presenting, you will learn how to build a strong argument and give and receive constructive feedback.
Applies in this implementation:
Please see course syllabus on course homepage.
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
Weekly meetings and other indicated sessions (mandatory attendance)
Pre-course assignment
Readings and assignments during the course
Course essay
Research presentations
Applies in this implementation:
All assignments are assessed on a pass/fail -scale.
Workload
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
Readings
34 h
Classroom hours (including consultation sessions and conference days)
36 h
Individual work
90 h
Total
160 h (6 op)
DETAILS
Study Material
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
Provided in the course syllabus.
Applies in this implementation:
- Antoniou, Maria & Moriarty, Jessica (2008). What can academic writers learn from creative writers? Developing guidance and support for lecturers in Higher Education. Teaching in Higher Education, Vol 13, No. 2, 157-167.
- Becker, Howard (1986). Writing for Social Scientists. How to Start and Finish Your Thesis, Book, or Article.Chicago: University Press.
- Sword, Helen (2009). Writing higher education differently: a manifesto on style. Studies in Higher Education, Vol 34, No. 3, 319-336.
- Valian, Virginia (1977). Learning to Work. In S. Ruddick & P. Daniels (Eds.), Working it out: 23 women writers, artists, scientists, and scholars talk about their lives and work, pp. 162-178. New York: Pantheon Books. Available online at: http://maxweber.hunter.cuny.edu/psych/faculty/valian/docs/1977workingItOut.pdf
- Wright, A., Murray, J. P. & Geale, P. (2007). A Phenomenographic Study of What It Means to Supervise Doctoral Students. Academy of Management Learning and Education, Vol. 6, No. 4, 458-474.
Tips for video presentations
Paul Savage has created some videos on making video presentations (and teaching videos).
Please check out especially videos 5-8 from https://vimeo.com/showcase/5978020
Basic tips for preparing presentations
Presentationzen.com
is a site by Garr Reynolds that includes a lot of information on good
presentations otherwise, too, so have a look!Visual design
https://www.presentationzen.com/chapter6_spread.pdf
Storytelling tips
When
you prepare your presentation, think about how you can make it
interesting and engaging. A good way is to think of the presentation as a
story. Here are some ideas for how and why to do it:http://www.presentationzen.com/presentationzen/2013/01/the-storytelling-imperative-make-me-care.html
Please
note that on the Forbes-site, you might need to click on the "Continue
to site" in the upper right-hand corner on the page that opens.http://www.slideshare.net/alexrister1/storytelling-for-presentations
Book recommendations
There are two books on presentations that I can strongly recommend:
-Garr Reynolds (2012): Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery
-Carmine Gallo (2014): Talk like TED: The 9 Public Speaking Secrets of the World's Top Minds
Prerequisites
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
Pre-assignment: Instructions for the pre-assignment (a one page written task) will be sent to registered students before the course begins.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Details on the schedule
Applies in this implementation:
Please see course homepage.
- Teacher: Kiriakos Carol
- Teacher: Tammenluoto Christa