Topic outline

  • Welcome to LC-1310 Academic Communication for MSc Students!



    Time and place  09.01-16.04      
                        
    Tuesdays 12.00-14.00  Room Y308                
              
    Teacher: Nicole Ivarsson-Keng ( Nicole.Ivarsson-Keng@aalto.fi). Consultation by appointment.

    Learning outcomes

    Upon completion of this course, students will be able to

    - Recognise the strategies and elements that enhance clarity and audience-friendliness in both written and oral academic communication
    - Apply these strategies and elements in writing and oral presentations related to their field of study
    - Distinguish between formal and informal styles of communication and vary the style according to the target audience and text type
    - Apply a process approach to the development of their oral and written work

    - Document sources properly and select strategies to avoid plagiarism


    Content

    The course is intended for students in master's programs who are not yet in the process of writing their master's theses. It introduces written and oral communication principles and strategies that are applicable to academic and research purposes. Students begin by writing on a topic from their own field of study based on previous (BSc) or ongoing (MSc) research. To enhance readability of the texts, students apply organisational patterns, such as problem-solution, as well as other writing principles. Based on their written work, students deliver an oral presentation videoed for self- and teacher-evaluation. As part of the learning process, students analyse presentations to identify their strengths and areas for improvement, as well as practise organising and presenting information clearly to a non-expert, but academic audience.

    Throughout this course, students work individually, in pairs and in small groups to develop their presentation and writing skills. Moreover, students give and receive constructive feedback on their work and revise it accordingly. Depending on the course variation (blended or fully online), the feedback and group work may be completed either face-to-face or online.

    Working Life Skills: Know-how related to own field of studies, knowledge of research in own field, skills in foreign languages, skills related to working in international environment, information retrieval skills, written communication, oral communication, teamwork skills, self-awareness, critical thinking skills, analytical, life-long learning skills, self-confidence, and time management.

    Working Life Skills:

    Know-how related to own field of studies, Knowledge of research in own field, Skills in a foreign language, Skills related to working in international environment, Information retrieval skills, Written communication, Oral communication, Teamwork skills, Self-awareness, Creativity, Critical thinking skills, Analytical skills, Lifelong learning skills, Self-confidence, and Time management

    Workload           3 ETCS/81 h (Small group instruction 24 h + Independent work 57 h)
    Requirements   Course assignments and activities  40%
                                Written assignment           25%
                                Oral assignments               25%
                                Online modules                  10%