We will improve expository writing skills in English, along with reading comprehension, vocabulary, advanced grammar, and critical thinking skills. Classes are taught entirely in English and will include discussion and sharing of written work with classmates.
Students will be able to write a variety of kinds of essays in English and will increase their academic vocabulary, critical thinking skills, and collaborative editing abilities. They will discuss the features of clear and concise writing in English with examples.
academic writing in English; essays; discussion
✔ Specialist skills | ✔ Intercultural skills | ✔ Communication skills | ✔ Critical thinking skills | Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
Students will complete writing assignments each week, in addition to analyzing texts and exercises to build advanced grammar and vocabulary in English. They will offer constructive criticism on each other's writing.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Introduction, Citing Sources and Paraphrasing, The Research Writing Process (Sociology, Part 1 Fundamental Writing Skills) | identifying and avoiding plagiarism through correct citation and referencing, narrow a topic and develop a research question |
Class 2 | The Research Writing Process (Sociology, Part 1 Fundamental Writing Skills) | Write a thesis statement and outline; assemble an annotated bibliography |
Class 3 | Idea Development (Economics, Part 1 Fundamental Writing Skills) | critically evaluate and organize research, summarize texts, plan a research paper |
Class 4 | Extended Writing (Biology, Part 1 Fundamental Writing Skills) | create coherence and cohesion, revise writing, analyze organizational patterns |
Class 5 | Rhetorical Context (Humanities, Part 1 Fundamental Writing Skills) | make stylistic choices, control voice and tone, analyze rhetorical context |
Class 6 | Environmental Engineering (Publishing, Part 1 Fundamental Writing Skills) | use visuals to present information in writing, edit texts and visuals, relate visuals to texts |
Class 7 | Part 3 Extended Writing, personal choice of writing unit: Sociology, Economics, Biology, Humanities, or Environmental Engineering | write a research paper in field of choice, following guidelines in specific extended writing unit |
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.
Charl Norloff and Amy Renehan, University Success: Writing (Transition Level), Pearson (2017).
to be shared in class
class participation 30%
homework exercises 40%
final research paper 30%
ability to speak and write English at an advanced level