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59304 English for Academic Purposes 1

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular semester, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

UTS: International Studies: Arts and Social Sciences
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks

There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Handbook description

This subject focuses on critical reading, essay writing, listening and speaking in academic contexts.

Subject objectives/outcomes

Students will be encouraged to develop their critical reading, listening and thinking skills to evaluate written and aural texts. They will also be required to express these evaluations both orally and in written form.

On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

  • participate in tutorials
  • listen and take notes effectively from oral texts
  • show evidence of effective and critical reading and thinking skills
  • develop English language skills and knowledge
  • write academic essays.

Assessment

Assessment Item 1: Oral presentation: Education-related topic

Weighting: 10%
Length:

10 — 15 minutes (includes presentation + class discussion)
Criteria:

• Content: topic clearly stated; displays in-depth understanding of the issues relating to the chosen area; main ideas supported by evidence; all material is relevant to topic; required areas covered; effective overview
• Presentation: variation in pace and intonation; body language enhances presentation; effective use of visual aids; timing (10 mins) within prescribed limits
• Organisation: introduction prepares listeners for body; material logically organised; clear transition from point to point; conclusion sums up main points
• Expression: keeps audience's attention; makes meaning throughout

Assessment Item 2: Reading/Writing: 'Volunteering' (details below)

Weighting:

30%
Criteria:

Your work will be assessed according to the extent that you include the following elements:

• Task response
o Answers question completely
o Relevant and accurate ideas

• Content and Organisation
o Writing includes three parts: introduction, body and conclusion

• Coherence
o Logical organisation of information and ideas
o Coherent paragraphs with topic sentence and appropriate conclusion
o Writing flows smoothly from beginning to end

• Grammar
o Appropriate grammar and use of language

• Vocabulary
o Appropriate register (informal or informal) for each section
o Appropriate range of topics, word forms and usage

• Correct spelling and Punctuation

Assessment Item 3: Critical reading assessment

Weighting:

10%
Length:

In class, 1 hour
Criteria:

Your work will be assessed according to the extent that you are able to:
• Identify main ideas in a written text
• Identify specific information in a written text
• Demonstrate an understanding of specific concepts and words in a written text
• Read and understand written instructions

Assessment Item 4: Critical listening assessment

Weighting:

10%
Length:

In class, 1/2 hour
Criteria:

Your work will be assessed according to the extent that you are able to:
• Identify main ideas in a listening passage
• Identify key words and specific information in a listening passage
• Identify letters and numbers in a listening passage
• Listen for specific instructions

Assessment Item 5: Writing three texts: letter, description of a graphic text, and short essay

Weighting:

40%
Criteria:

Your work will be assessed according to the extent that you include the following elements:

• Task response
o Answers question completely
o Relevant and accurate ideas

• Content and Organisation
o Writing includes three parts: introduction, body and conclusion

• Coherence
o Logical organisation of information and ideas
o Coherent paragraphs with topic sentence and appropriate conclusion
o Writing flows smoothly from beginning to end

• Grammar
o Appropriate grammar and use of language

• Vocabulary
o Appropriate register (informal or informal) for each section
o Appropriate range of topics, word forms and usage

• Correct spelling and Punctuation

Minimum requirements

Subject components

English for Academic Purposes 1 (EAP 1) is divided into two modules, each of approximately 2 hours.

Module 1: Critical reading and essay writing

This Module deals with critical reading and writing skills required for producing the appropriate structure and arguments in discussion essays. Texts from the Australian media and scholarly sources will be used as a basis for discussion and for writing critical reviews. Assessment will involve a critical reading and summary task, reference and citation task, and a discussion essay.

Module 2: Academic speaking/listening

This Module provides the opportunity to develop speaking, listening and critical thinking skills and to participate in seminar discussions on academic and current affairs topics related to multiculturalism. Assessment involves a listening and a discussion task.

As a student in this subject you are expected to attend and participate in all tutorials, actively contribute to discussions, and complete your assignments by their due dates.

References

You will be expected to use library resources such as books, journals, online databases etc as part of this subject. Details of library locations and hours are available on the Library’s home page. Many library resources are available to you online via the Library’s web site http://www.lib.uts.edu.au

Daily newspapers, including Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian, The Financial Review

Websites on multicultural policy in Australia including http://www.immi.gov.au

Bailey. S, 2003, Academic writing, a handbook for international students, Routledge, New York.

Cope, B. & Kalantzis, M. 2000, A place in the sun: re-creating the Australian Way of Life, HarperCollins, Sydney.

Couch, R. & Hage, G. (eds) 1999, The future of Australian multiculturalism, Research Institute for Humanities & Social Sciences, Sydney.

Greig, A., Lewins, F. & White, K. 2003, Inequality in Australia, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

Jupp, J., Nieuwenhuysen, J. & Dawson, E. 2007, Social cohesion in Australia, Cambridge University Press, Melbourne.

Kessler, L. & McDonald, D. 2000, When words collide: a media writer's guide to grammar and style, 5th edn. Wadsworth, Belmont, CA.

Kramer, L. 2003, The multicultural experiment: immigrants, refugees and national identity, Macleay Press, Paddington, NSW.

Oshima, A. & Hogue, A. 1991, Writing academic English, 2nd edn, Addison Wesley, Menlo Park, CA.

Vasta, E. & Castles, S. 1996, The teeth are smiling: The persistence of racism in multicultural Australia, Allen & Unwin, Sydney.

Zinsser, W. 1998, On writing well: the classic guide to writing nonfiction, 6th edn, HarperCollins, New York.

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