Syllabus

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to

- Recognise and apply the features of effective academic writing suitable to their own text

- Recognise ineffective sentences and utilise techniques for re-writing them

- Analyse sample texts to identify the language conventions and style particular to their own fields of study

Credits: 3

Schedule: 04.09.2024 - 09.10.2024

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Signe-Anita Lindgren

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

Dr. Signe-Anita Lindgrén
Aalto University Language Centre
English Team
name-name.name@aalto.fi

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

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  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 organisation of a text, including sequencing of information, paragraph writing 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 organisation, referencing, and cohesiveness)
  - Writing effective sentences, paragraphs and sections (such as abstracts, introductions, and conclusions)
  - Argumentation and researcher positioning/stance
  - Editing for accuracy

  The coursework aims to 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 recognising stylistic and organisational 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.

• applies in this implementation

  The use of AI such as ChatGPT or the like is not allowed in this course iteration unless otherwise specified.
  

Workload

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  Small-group instruction 24 - 36 h + independent work 45 - 57 h

  Sisu specifies the course mode: on campus only, fully or partially online. Please check each iteration's course description, structure, and further information in Sisu.

   

• applies in this implementation

  3 ECTs = 81 hours.
  Please reserve ample time in your schedule.
  (6 weeks = 13.5 hrs/week; 7 weeks = 11.6 hrs/week)
  

DETAILS

Study Material

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  Available in MyCourses

• applies in this implementation

  Provided in MyCourses by the instructor and the course participants. The sample texts of own writing that participants submit to the course should be produced by themselves and not by e.g., the use of AI such as ChatGPT or the like unless otherwise specified.
  

Substitutes for Courses

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  Substitutes for Courses

Prerequisites

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  Prerequisites

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  Teaching Language: English

  Teaching Period: 2024-2025 Autumn I
  2024-2025 Autumn II
  2024-2025 Spring IV
  2024-2025 Spring V
  2024-2025 Summer
  2025-2026 Autumn I
  2025-2026 Autumn II
  2025-2026 Spring IV
  2025-2026 Spring V
  2025-2026 Summer

  Registration:

  The course targets doctoral students who have started writing their research articles and/or thesis. Therefore, participants must bring their draft text as this will be a part of the material used in the course. If more students sign up than there are places, students who have a draft text and plan to submit for publication soon will be prioritized

  The course will be organized if there are at least 10 participants. The maximum group size is 20.

• applies in this implementation

  A needs survey will be distributed to students who receive a place on the course.
  To be completed before the course begins.

  
  

  LC-1350 On AI Usage

  Be careful with the use of AI tools when writing an original text for publication. One of the main objectives of this course is to use your own phrasing and ideas in writing, to develop your own writing skills, and to reference original sources properly.

  • Note that relying on, for instance, ChatGPT for model sentences and ideas is not demonstrating originality, which can result in problems with publishing your research.
  • If you use ChatGPT, use it more as an initial point of gaining perspectives and ideas for your research. Then find the original sources. Do not rely on the sources Chat GPT gives you (as they may be invented sources). Write all your text yourself with your own unique style.
  • Check your text in Turnitin. If your text gets a high score in plagiarism, it may mean that you have not generated the text yourself and such a text is not publishable.
  • If you use AI, treat AI like an author: cite it! But, first, ensure the accuracy of the content (e.g., is it outdated, non-sensical, repetitive?) and check that the sources are not fabricated. To cite ChatGPT in APA style, for example, you can follow the guidelines (How to cite ChatGPT) provided by the American Psychological Association (APA). Here's an example of how you can cite ChatGPT:
    OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (Mar 14 version) [Large language model].
  • If you plan to feed in your text or part of your text to an AI tool, check first what it does with your text. Does it save it, share it, include it in a database, allow publications based on the database (including your text) without referencing the original text? In other words, check data protection/data privacy/copy-right in advance.
  • It is ok from the viewpoint of this implementation of the course to use tools to improve spelling and grammar. However, it is wise to do this responsibly and with caution - technologies may change and so may also the guidelines and requirements of your target journal or your own School. Mention the tools you have used (and where relevant, how), at the end of the paper.
    
  • Please remember that you are not allowed to upload text or answers produced by other students into external systems without their permission.
    

  Your own School may have guidelines or instructions for you to follow. In addition to following such instructions of your School, it is also a very good idea to consult the author guidelines of the journal you are planning to publish in and familiarize yourself with their requirements on the use/non-use of AI. Please note, however, that this is a rapidly changing technology and policies may change. Stay safe!
  

  For more information, please see the Aalto University resources Guidance for the use of artificial intelligence in teaching and learning and the tips for using artificial intelligence for students .

  
  

Details on the schedule

• applies in this implementation

  Weekly Workshops are held in Zoom (Mondays and Wednesdays 12.30-15.45). In addition, students complete weekly assignments according to strict deadlines.
  This course applies a flipped-class approach (= study materials and complete assignments and tasks before coming to the Workshops, pre- and post-Workshop activities).
  Fully online; no on-campus meetings.

  First Zoom meeting: Workshop 1 Wednesday, 4 September 2024, at 12.30. Complete the Needs Analysis and the first assignments before coming to the Workshop.
  Zoom link in the Welcome-to-the-course - You-have-a-place-on-the-course-email sent to your aalto email.

  
  

Description