2020 Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses English language courses
Academic Writing in English 15 2
- Academic unit or major
- English language courses
- Instructor(s)
- Hugh Barry Ziani De Ferranti
- Class Format
- Exercise (Zoom)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 5-6 Wed (Zoom)
- Class
- 2
- Course Code
- LAE.E463
- Number of credits
- 010
- Course offered
- 2020
- Offered quarter
- 3Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 10, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
All of the "Academic Writing in English" courses are designed to provide graduate students with strategies to improve their academic writings and write well-framed research articles. Objectives include learning from various journal articles, using appropriate vocabulary and expressions. The course will examine models presented in the textbook and scientific articles to help guide the writing process. Students will receive individual feedback from the instructor. In addition, students will participate in peer-critique to develop skills to become critical readers and to give constructive criticism to their colleagues.
As a graduate level course, Academic Writing in English 15 equips students with the necessary tools and analytical knowledge to write solid, well-informed journal articles.
Course description and aims
By the end of the course, students will be able to produce a short journal article on their research.
Keywords
Reading, writing skills, written expression, interactive, critical thinking skills
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Using a leading textbook designed for science majors, we will work toward improving students' academic English-writing skills in the following areas:
• Structuring papers so as to accord with international academic English norms
• Vocabulary and expression in each of the standard sections of a paper
• Abstracts for papers
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Introduction Writing exercise on your research Unit 1: How to Write an Introduction, pp.1-24 | Identify course aims. Explain and apply grammar and writing skills for the Introduction. Analyze structure and build a model for the Introduction. |
| Class 2 | Bring three research papers in your field for analysis Unit 1: How to Write an Introduction, pp. 25-43 | Evaluate and test models for the Introduction. |
| Class 3 | Draft of the Introduction for your final paper due Peer-critique of "Introduction" Unit 2: Writing about Methodology, pp. 44-61 | Demonstrate knowledge of writing the Introduction. Critique peer's writing. Explain and apply grammar and writing skills for the Methodology (e.g., passives and tense pairs, use of "a" and "the," adverbs). |
| Class 4 | Unit 2: Writing about Methodology, pp. 61-75 | Analyze structure and build a model for the Methodology. |
| Class 5 | 2: Writing about Methodology, pp. 75-90 | Evaluate and test models for the Methodology. |
| Class 6 | Draft of the Methodology for your final paper due Peer-critique of "Methodology" | Demonstrate knowledge of writing the Methodology. Critique peer's writing. Identify sections and audience of CV |
| Class 7 | Compulsory Final Paper due. In-class test | Formulate Final paper composed of revised homework assignments. |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
Glasman-Deal, Hilary. 2010. Science Research Writing: For Non-Native Speakers of English. London: Imperial College Press. (ISBN-13: 978-1-84816-31-2)
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Additional reading materials may be assigned throughout the term.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Class Participation 30%
Homework (2 section assignments x 25%, plus compulsory final revision of the combined sections), 50%
In-class test, 20%
Compulsory Final Paper (Your final paper is a compilation of your revised homework assignments, reflecting corrections and changes suggested by the instructor. If you do not submit this paper, you will fail the class.)
Related courses
- LAE.E464 ： Academic Writing in English 16
Prerequisites
none
Other
It is recommended that students take this course in sequence with LAE.E464 (Academic Writing in English 16).
Attendance at the first class is compulsory for students planning to take this course.