LEARNING OUTCOMES
This course aims to help doctoral students in art and design to develop their academic writing skills for the purpose of writing their thesis and other similar academic works.
Coursework focuses on enabling participants to write more effectively for an international readership.
By the end of the course, participants will be able to
- Better recognize the features of effective academic writing for their own field
- Analyze sample texts to identify the language conventions and style particular to their own field of study
- Apply cohesive elements at the sentence and paragraph level to increase the flow of the text
- Utilize word choice appropriate to formal academic English
- Apply appropriate strategies for proofreading their own work
Credits: 3
Schedule: 28.02.2022 - 11.04.2022
Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):
Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Diane Pilkinton-Pihko
Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):
CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period): C1
Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):
Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English, Finnish
CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD
Content
valid for whole curriculum period:
As part of this course, students must bring samples of their scientific writing-in-progress as this material forms a core part of the course.
During the course, students work to improve their writing as they apply skills and techniques introduced in the course. The course content will include aspects of writing, such as
- Internal organization of a text, including sequencing information, paragraph structure and sentence structures
- Appropriateness to the reader (i.e. the target audience), including text structure, sentence and paragraph length, and vocabulary choice
- Clarity of the message (information organization, referencing, and cohesiveness)
- Writing effective sentences, paragraphs as well as abstracts, introductions, and conclusions
- Argumentation and researcher positioning/stance
- Editing for accuracyThe coursework will enable participants to write more effectively and with greater confidence for an international readership.
In response to student needs, the course design includes individual and pair exercises, analysis, and critiques, all of which focus on training participants with specific tools for producing improved text.
Simultaneously, students will be guided in recognizing stylistic and organizational features common to formal written English and applying features appropriate in their specific fields.
As part of feedback, students submit their written text(s) for teacher and peer review.
Working Life Skills:
Skills in a foreign language, Written communication, Information retrieval, Ethical consciousness, Critical thinking, Lifelong learning, Self-confidence, Analytical skills, Time-management, Self-awareness, and Knowledge of research in own field.
Assessment Methods and Criteria
valid for whole curriculum period:
Continuous assessment, completion of writing assignments and completion of course assignments
Note: Regular attendance and active participation required
Workload
valid for whole curriculum period:
Small-group instruction 24-36 h + Independent study 42-57 h
DETAILS
Study Material
valid for whole curriculum period:
Available in MyCourses
Substitutes for Courses
valid for whole curriculum period:
Prerequisites
valid for whole curriculum period:
FURTHER INFORMATION
Further Information
valid for whole curriculum period:
Please note that the course will only be organised if a minimum of 10 people register for it.
Teaching Period:
2020-2021 Spring IV
2021-2022 Spring IV
Course Homepage: https://mycourses.aalto.fi/course/search.php?search=LCA-1050
Registration for Courses: In the academic year 2021-2022, registration for courses will take place on Sisu (sisu.aalto.fi) instead of WebOodi.
WebOodi