Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

Faculty of Education and Arts

School: Communications and Arts

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

• Unit Title

  Academic Research and Writing

• Unit Code

  ENG1205

• Year

  2015

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  1

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  

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Description

This unit is designed to familiarise students with the skills necessary for successful learning at university. The unit includes key concepts from Communications/Arts and the Social Sciences. Its primary focus is to develop students? critical thinking, research, essay writing and oral presentation skills.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Collect, analyse, interpret and present information clearly, both orally and in writing, from a range of academic and other sources.
2. Discuss different approaches to learning and thinking.
3. Employ a set of learning skills (e.g. written, verbal communication, research, study skills) to manage specific assessment tasks (e.g. assignments and presentations).
4. Work productively in small groups.

Unit Content

1. 'Discourse founders' - some great thinkers of the pre-modern and modern world.
2. Academic writing skills - referencing, note-taking, paraphrasing, synthesizing, grammar, sentence structure, paragraph structure, essay structure.
3. Analytical and critical thinking.
4. Group skills - understanding group dynamics, maximising group work success.
5. Learning styles.
6. Oral presentation skills - preparing handouts and visual aids, presenting confidently.
7. Research and reading skills - searching databases, reading difficult texts, analysing assignment questions.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures and tutorials.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Text References

• Eagleton, T. (2007). How to read a poem. Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing.
• Krause, K., Hartley, R., James, R. & McInnis, C. (2005). The first year experience in Australian universities: Findings from a decade of national studies. Melbourne: Department of Education, Science and Training.
• Oshima, A., & Hogue, A. (2006). Writing academic English. (4th ed.). New York: Pearson Longman.
• Cottrell, S. (2005). Critical thinking skills: Developing effective analysis and argument. Houndsmills, England: Palgrave Macmillan.

Journal References

• Higher Education Research and Development
• Studies in Higher Education
• Teaching Learning Forum Proceedings

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