IF0NUP-English for Academic Purposes Project

Module Provider: International Study and Language Institute
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:F
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2020/1

Module Convenor: Mrs Svetlana Mazhurnaya

Email: s.mazhurnaya@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module is delivered at the NUIST Reading academy (Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology). It requires students to research, plan and write an extended assignment (approx. 1100 words) drawing on multiple sources. This will be on a given academic topic with source texts and title provided.

The Project provides the opportunity to engage in an extended piece of literature-based research and writing which is typical of the coursework assignments encountered by undergraduate students on many degree programmes.

Aims:

To enable students to complete the process of writing an extended academic assignment by developing their ability to:

• analyse project assignment questions


• read for essay-writing purposes, selecting relevant information


• make notes for essay-writing purposes including integrating ideas from multiple sources


• plan a response to an academic task


• write an academic essay, following the conventions for citing sources and writing a list of references; avoiding plagiarism


• proof-read and evaluate their own writing


• understand feedback and make appropriate changes


• use academic language to write more clearly and effectively in an academic style.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

• develop a detailed and relevant response to an essay question and express this clearly in a well-organised manner


• demonstrate effective use of sources by identifying relevant information and incorporating this into their own writing in an appropriate academic manner (e.g. through paraphrasing and referencing)


• express their response using appropriate and accu rate academic language

Additional outcomes:

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

• discuss their ideas and progress, both informally with peers and in formal one-to-one tutorials


• respond to oral and written feedback from both tutors and peers, when revising and refining their work


• manage their time effectively and work independently to complete a complex and extended project

Outline content:

Reading, including working with authentic academic texts, note-taking, comparing texts.

Planning, including brainstorming and organising ideas to form a coherent plan (in groups and/or individually), discussing plans, revising plans in the light of new information and feedback.

Use of sources, including paraphrasing, synthesising, referencing systems, writing a list of references.

Writing, including drafting and redrafting, peer eval uation, interpreting and prioritising feedback.

Language work on aspects of academic writing relevant to the assignment. There will also be ad hoc language work as required by the demands of the project, and in response to the language needs and problems of individual students.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

During the first phase of the course there is a strong focus on reading the source texts. In latter stages, the emphasis shifts to focus on student writing and language work based on student need.

Class and homework will include: scaffolded reading of texts in class to support comprehension; independent reading of text extracts; subsequent analysis of the texts to highlight, analyse and practice features of academic language use; analysis of example student writing to focu s on aspects of essay organisation and language use.

Students will be expected to submit preparatory work to demonstrate their engagement with the process of writing an extended assignment. Tutorials will be held to provide feedback on draft work.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars		64
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (directed)		20
Advance preparation for classes		30
Preparation for tutorials		2
Completion of formative assessment tasks		22
Essay preparation		60
Reflection		2
Total hours by term	0		0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	70
Portfolio	30

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Final assignment 1100 words

Portfolio of preparatory work e.g notes, plan, draft

Formative assessment methods:

Individual feedback will be given on plans and drafts.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

40%

Reassessment arrangements:

Students who fail to pass the module at first attempt will be given 1 attempt to re-sit the assessment by examination during the NUIST Reading academy re-sit period.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 25 January 2021