Academic Writing (3cr)

Objectives (course unit)

The course aims to deal with written 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 program. Most of the topics covered are also relevant to writing a final thesis, so this course can be considered as a basic introduction to that process.
After completing the course, the student 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)

The contents include the followings:
• 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 writer process to produce an academic text?

Prerequisites (course unit)

None.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2) (course unit)

The student communicates in comprehensible English overall and shows some awareness of the norms for different types of text. References to source materials are included where appropriate.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4) (course unit)

The student's English is mainly clear and appropriate. Written work meets the 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) (course unit)

The student's written English is formal and accurate and displays appropriate variation in style, reports meet the norms for different types of text. He/she shows 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.

Location and time

Meetings in class or online as shown in TAMK Timetable Engine.

Exam schedules

No exams.

Assessment methods and criteria

Students have attended 80% of the lessons and have completed the required assignments and have submitted an academic essay of minimum 5 pages (1500 words).

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Lecture, groupwork. individual work, videos, practising, consultation with the teacher for one-to-one tutoring, writing an essay.

Learning materials

Materials provided in Moodle in addition to e.g. links to TAMK Thesis Report Guide and Thesis Template in TAMK Student Guide.

Student workload

27hrs x 3 = 81h
- classroom meetings
- consultation meetings online with teacher
- independent study, reading, research and writing work at home and in e.g. TUNI Library

Content scheduling

- Using TAMK's report template
- Academic writing style
- Academic norms
- Plagiarism, the use of AI in academic work
- Paraphrasing
- Referencing in TAMK's recommended style and APA7

Completion alternatives

Credit transfer possible for previous course work on Academic Writing or from a previous university degree.

Further information

Implementation Plan.