Academic Skills

FOUN10031 Academic Skills 10 Semester 1 Undergraduate Level 1 Simon Raw Unit coordinator 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' First part HE study/Bachelors ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 5.0 A course introducing conventional academic style and rhetorical patterns, and encouraging a critical approach to reading and writing. The course will promote both autonomy and collaboration in learning and prepare you for the academic requirements of study at tertiary level.   A course introducing reading and research strategies together with an awareness of conventional academic style and rhetorical patterns, to develop a critical approach to reading and writing. The course will promote both autonomy and collaboration in learning and prepare you for the academic requirements of study at tertiary level. Topics studied: <ul> <li> Giving effective and engaging presentations  </li> <li> Synthesising texts from various academic sources   </li> <li> Critically reading an academic text   </li> <li> Developing argumentation and criticality in writing   </li> <li> Features of academic writing style and structure   </li> <li> Understanding academic malpractice and plagiarism  </li> <li> Academic Referencing conventions  </li> <li> Working effectively in a group  </li> <li> Reflecting and acting on feedback  </li></ul> The aim is to introduce conventional academic style and rhetorical patterns and encourage a critical approach to reading and writing. It will help to promote both autonomy and collaboration in learning and prepare a student for the academic requirements of study at tertiary level. By the end of the course, students should be able to: <ul> <li> Search for and critically examine a range of academic source texts  </li> <li> Synthesise these academic texts into a piece of critical writing, incorporating all the necessary academic conventions  </li> <li> Have an awareness of academic malpractice and referencing conventions  </li> <li> Plan and deliver engaging presentations using presentation software (e.g. Powerpoint)  </li> <li> Work effectively both individually and in a group  </li> <li> Reflect and act upon feedback given by tutors and peers  </li></ul> <ul> <li> Employ strategies for critical reading of academic texts  </li> <li> Analyse text structures and use appropriate organisational structures in written work   </li> <li> Produce accurate and clear written English  </li> <li> Employ appropriate academic conventions in writing  </li> <li> Prepare and deliver an academic oral presentation – individually and as a group  </li></ul> <ul> <li> Critically analyse a range of academic text-types in your field  </li> <li> Present ideas and facts clearly and logically; using the necessary academic conventions  </li></ul> <ul> <li> Search for academic sources using a variety of online search tools  </li> <li> Evaluate key academic sources from your field  </li> <li> Synthesise information from academic sources  </li> <li> Produce a piece of academic writing which incorporates the necessary academic conventions  </li> <li> Employ effective presentation skills using various media  </li></ul> <ul> <li> All skills learned in this course are directly transferrable to future academic courses and workplace environments </li></ul> Analytical skills Students search for and critically analyse texts from a wide variety of academic sources. Group/team working Students work in groups within their chosen discipline area. Wherever possible students are placed in mixed groups in order to help prepare them for the global workplace. Leadership In group project work, students have the opportunity to develop their leadership skills. Oral communication Students make both individual and group presentations. Students are also encouraged to hold group meetings in preparation for their group presentations. Problem solving In group work, students negotiate and resolve issues that can arise. Research Students do their own independent research throughout the Academic Skills Unit. Written communication Students write in a formal academic style using the relevant academic conventions. They also learn to reflect on their own work through peer review and reflective activities. 8 lectures, 11 tutorials, weekly support drop-ins.  0 Other 10% 2 Written assignment (inc essay) 50% 7 Oral assessment/presentation 30% 8 Practical skills assessment 10% Written assignment (academic essay): 40% Written assignment (online reference list): 10% Oral assessment/presentations: 30% Group online Journals: 10% Other: 10%  <ul> <li> Students are given oral and written feedback on individual and group presentations </li> <li> Students receive written feedback on Writing Assignment: Reference list </li> <li> Students receive peer feedback and tutor in-text feedback with comments for Writing Assignment: Academic Essay </li> <li> Students receive written feedback on the Group Journals  </li></ul> BEng(Hons) Eng w a Int FY BEng(Hons) Eng w a Int FY Foundation Mandatory BEng(Hons) Eng w a Int FY Mech Eng with an Int FY Foundation Mandatory BEng(Hons) Eng w a Int FY Aero Eng with an Int FY Foundation Mandatory BEng(Hons) Eng w a Int FY Civ Eng with an Int FY Foundation Mandatory BEng(Hons) Eng w a Int FY EEM Eng with an Int FY Foundation Mandatory BEng(Hons) Eng w a Int FY Chem Eng with an Int FY Foundation Mandatory BEng(Hons) Eng w a Int FY Comp Sci with an Int FY Foundation Mandatory BSc(Hons) Science w a Int FY BSc(Hons) Science w a Int FY Foundation Mandatory BSc(Hons) Science w a Int FY Physics with Int FY Foundation Mandatory BSc(Hons) Science w a Int FY Chem with an Int FY Foundation Mandatory BSc(Hons) Science w a Int FY EarthPlanetSciwithintFY Foundation Mandatory BSc(Hons) Science w a Int FY EnvSci with an Int FY Foundation Mandatory BSc(Hons) Science w a Int FY Mat Sci with Int FY Foundation Mandatory BSc(Hons) Science w a Int FY Maths With an Int FY Foundation Mandatory N     External visits 2 Lectures 8 Practical classes & workshops 14 Tutorials 22 54