Topic outline

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    Sky 05/5/15

    "Sky 05/5/15"by summerwind is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0


    Learning outcomes:

    Upon completion of this course, the students will be able to

    • Recognize the strategies and elements that enhance clarity and audience-friendliness in both oral and written communication
    • Apply these strategies and elements in writing and oral presentations related to topics in their field of study
    • Distinguish between formal and informal styles of communication


    Content:

    This course introduces written and oral communication principles and strategies that are applicable to professional and academic purposes. Students begin by writing on a topic from their own field of study. To enhance readability of the texts, students apply organisational patterns, such as problem-solution, as well as employ other writing principles that make comprehension of sentences and paragraphs easier. Based on their written work, students deliver an oral presentation which is videoed for self- and teacher-evaluation. As part of the learning process, students analyse presentations to identify their strengths and areas of improvement, as well as practice organising and presenting information clearly to a non-expert audience. Throughout this course, students work individually, in pairs and in small groups to develop their presentation and writing skills. In addition, students give and receive constructive feedback on their work and revise it accordingly.

    Course materials:

    • Schedule and assignments: see this workspace for up-to-date information
    • Online materials < http://sana.aalto.fi/awe/ >
    • Handouts, slides and other session materials (provided by the teacher / some available in advance)
    • Writer's Guide for Engineers (available in MyCourses)

    Workload:

    Small-group instruction        24-36 h

    Independent study                 45-57 h

    Course requirements

    Evaluation

    1. Preparatory Assignments (written, oral)

    40%

    5

    93 – 100 (/100)

    1. Written assignments (final report included)

    40%

    4

    85 – 92

    1. Final presentation (videoed)

    20%

    3

    76 – 84

         


    2

    69 – 75

     

     

    1

    61 – 68

     

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    Total 

    100%

     

     

    Attendance

    Participants must attend 80% of the class sessions. After being absent 6x45 mins (1½ sessions), each additional absence reduces your total points by 5%. Compulsory attendance in some of the sessions (see course schedule). If there is any doubt about fulfilling this attendance, please consult https://into.aalto.fi/display/enopinnot/English for other available course options, such as fully online or partially online courses.

    Written tasks

    • must be completed on time. Late submission reduces points by 50%.
    • no make-up work accepted.
    • Detailed teacher feedback on two tasks submitted through MyCourses/Turnitin.