Faculty of Education and Arts

School: Teaching and Learning office

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 Writing
  • Unit Code

    UPU0002
  • Year

    2015
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

Description

This unit develops strong research and sound writing skills which are essential for students commencing their undergraduate studies at university. Students focus on the writing process to improve grammar and basic writing skills for use in academic essays and reports. Students are instructed in developing topics for writing, researching a range of information from different sources and understanding the purpose and conventions of referencing. Other academic writing genre are also discussed.

Non Standard Timetable Requirements

UPU0002 utilises a blended delivery mode which includes both face-to-face and electronic delivery of materials, activities and assessments.

Co-Requisite Rule

Must be enrolled in course type 30

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded UPC0002, UTC0002

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Analyse assessment requirements appropriately.
  2. Construct sentences and paragraphs with improved grammar and punctuation.
  3. Prepare written assessments in a range of academic genre relative to their undergraduate field of study including: reports written in the third person, essays and annotated bibliographies.
  4. Reference competently using the APA 6th edition referencing format.
  5. Understand the structure and purpose of abstracts, literature reviews, lists of references, appendices, and other specified components of research reports.

Unit Content

  1. Developing thesis questions that can be researched and answered at undergraduate level and finding appropriate resources and texts to address a given problem.
  2. Recognising and writing different elements of assessments: abstracts, annotated bibliographies, lists of references, appendices, and other specified components of research reports based on given information.
  3. Referencing: Understanding and using correct APA referencing conventions.
  4. Writing well: Paragraphs, grammar, spelling, gender, style, identity, report and essay formats.
  5. Writing: Understanding the academic approach to research and writing.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures Seminars Library research sessions In-class course activities Small group work and peer evaluations Collaborative e-learning activities Electronic exercises Writing exercises Web-based discussions

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.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
EssayArgumentative Essay60%
ExaminationFinal examination40%

Text References

  • ^ Grellier, J., & Goerke, V. (2010). Communication skills toolkit: Unlocking the secrets of tertiary success. (2nd ed.). Melbourne, Australia: Cengage Learning.
  • Oshima, A., & Hogue, A. (2006). Writing academic English. (4th ed.). White Plains, NY: Pearson Longman.
  • Referencing guide. (18th Rev. ed.). (2014). Perth, Australia: Edith Cowan University.

^ Mandatory reference


Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

UPU0002|1|1

Faculty of Education and Arts

School: Teaching and Learning office

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 Writing
  • Unit Code

    UPU0002
  • Year

    2015
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

Description

This unit develops strong research and sound writing skills which are essential for students commencing their undergraduate studies at university. Students focus on the writing process to improve grammar and basic writing skills for use in academic essays and reports. Students are instructed in developing topics for writing, researching a range of information from different sources and understanding the purpose and conventions of referencing. Other academic writing genre are also discussed.

Non Standard Timetable Requirements

UPU0002 utilises a blended delivery mode which includes both face-to-face and electronic delivery of materials, activities and assessments.

Co-Requisite Rule

Must be enrolled in course type 30

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded UPC0002, UTC0002

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Analyse assessment requirements appropriately.
  2. Construct sentences and paragraphs with improved grammar and punctuation.
  3. Prepare written assessments in a range of academic genre relative to their undergraduate field of study including: reports written in the third person, essays and annotated bibliographies.
  4. Reference competently using the APA 6th edition referencing format.
  5. Understand the structure and purpose of abstracts, literature reviews, lists of references, appendices, and other specified components of research reports.

Unit Content

  1. Developing thesis questions that can be researched and answered at undergraduate level and finding appropriate resources and texts to address a given problem.
  2. Recognising and writing different elements of assessments: abstracts, annotated bibliographies, lists of references, appendices, and other specified components of research reports based on given information.
  3. Referencing: Understanding and using correct APA referencing conventions.
  4. Writing well: Paragraphs, grammar, spelling, gender, style, identity, report and essay formats.
  5. Writing: Understanding the academic approach to research and writing.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures Seminars Library research sessions In-class course activities Small group work and peer evaluations Collaborative e-learning activities Electronic exercises Writing exercises Web-based discussions

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.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
EssayArgumentative Essay60%
ExaminationFinal examination40%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
EssayArgumentative Essay60%
ExaminationFinal examination40%

Text References

  • ^ Grellier, J., & Goerke, V. (2010). Communication skills toolkit: Unlocking the secrets of tertiary success. (2nd ed.). Melbourne, Australia: Cengage Learning.
  • Oshima, A., & Hogue, A. (2006). Writing academic English. (4th ed.). White Plains, NY: Pearson Longman.
  • Referencing guide. (18th Rev. ed.). (2014). Perth, Australia: Edith Cowan University.

^ Mandatory reference


Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

UPU0002|1|2