Academic Communication (3 cr)

Objectives (course unit)

This course deals with academic communication in sufficient depth and detail to enable students to present research work and write reports in academic style, as may be required for other courses in this degree programm. Most of the topics covered will also be relevant to writing a final thesis, so this course can be considered as a basic introduction to that process.

After completing the course, the students will be able to:

Demonstrate familiarity with the principles of academic communication.
Access and critically evaluate relevant source materials.
Get familiar with the concept of plagiarism and know how to avoid it in their own work.
Incorporate in-text references to source materials and compile a list of sources, following TAMK requirements.
Produce academic texts which meet set criteria: clear, accurate and formal english, coherent structure.
Present constructive and well-justified verbal arguments and feedback in formal, face-to-face academic settings, such as seminars and public lectures.
Utilize resources and learning strategies to develop their own communication skills independently.

Content (course unit)

What are the key features of academic communication and how does it differ from organizational communication?
What are the roles of verbal and written communication in the academic context?
What norms and standards must academic writing meet?
What stages must a a writer process to produce an academic text?

Exam schedules

There will be no exams. Students submit three documents; An professional style report, reflective essay and an academic essay.

Assessment methods and criteria

The course focuses on academic and profession communication skills. There will be three deliverables: The first is a joint project work, Global Virtual Team Project with 4 Universities around Europe. This part covers 40% of the total grade. The second part if a reflective essay of the project (Diary), 20%, The final Academic essay 40%.

Teaching methods

Lectures, Collaborative learning, online exercises, reading and analysing academic text, producing academic text, Tele-conference presentations, video presentations, group work, discussions.

Learning materials

Materials will be provided via Tabula and also wikispace for the GVTP. Some material will be provided on demand, during lectures.

Student workload

Group work, online meetings/collaboration with GVTP members.

Completion alternatives

To be discussed with the teacher.

Practical training and working life cooperation

During the GVTP students will research working life topics decided by their international teams.

International connections

Students work in international groups. GVTP

Further information

Students will have to work in international teams. They are required to document every meeting and interaction with their teams. Students will also work independently to produce desirable academic text that meets the norms of academic writing and TAMK's report guide. Three documents will be submitted for grading. The Grades range 0-5 where 5 is excellent and 0 rejected. The grades are awarded according to on-time submission, quality of work, structure, academic or professional style.

Assessment criteria - fail (0) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Fail: one or more of the compulsory assignments fails to meet the specified criteria

Assessment criteria - satisfactory (1-2) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Satisfactory (1-2): The student communicates in comprehensible English on the whole and shows some awareness of the norms for different types of text; references to source materials are included where appropriate. Requirements regarding participation, meeting deadlines etc. are minimally fulfilled.

Assessment criteria - good (3-4) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Good: (3-4)
Students’ English is mainly clear and appropriate. Written work meets norms for different types of text, including scientific reporting. Oral communication is professional. Requirements regarding participation, meeting deadlines etc. are mainly fulfilled.

Assessment criteria - excellent (5) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Excellent (5)
Students’ written English is formal and accurate and displays appropriate variation in style; reports meet norms for different types of text; students show ability to access and select appropriate information; references to source materials are incorporated accurately and in a variety of ways; source materials are expertly paraphrased. Oral expression is fluent and professional. Requirements regarding participation, meeting deadlines etc. are consistently fulfilled.