UGQB 3033 English for Academic Purposes

Pre-Requisite Semester Course Leader Office Location : UGQB 3033 : SEPTEMBER 2013 Semester : PUTERI NORLIA MEGAT OMAR. : School of Foundation and General Studies, UNITAR International University Campus. : Appointment via email : norlia@unitar.my

Consultation Hours E-mail

Course Synopsis
Introduction

English for Academic Purposes (EAP) involves teaching students to use language appropriately for study. It is a branch of ESP (English for Specific Purposes) which has expanded together with the growing number of international students undertaking tertiary studies in English. This course aims to help students master the language skills required for university study at undergraduate or postgraduate level. They will learn how to read academic texts, take notes, engage in discussions and write essays and reports. All students will carry out some work related to their subject and academic level. The rationale to include this course in the academic programme is because this course is a university core course. The course is linked to other course offerings in the following semester. Students must pass this course.

Overview

EAP (UQB 3033) is an educational approach and a set of beliefs that is often contrasted with general English courses. The starting point for EAP is the learner and their situation rather than the language; Secondly, this course focus more on reading and writing. Prior to that EAP courses tend to teach formal, academic genres rather than the conversational and social genres taught on general English courses. In addition, UQB 3033 is an academic preparatory programme that uses authentic materials and a sustained-content approach to teach students

the skills they need to take academic courses in English. Prior to that English for Academic Purposes (EAP) also concentrates on developing students' listening, note-taking, and discussion skills. Students are encouraged to play an active role in the learning process. Purpose

The purpose of the course is to prepare students to meet the demands of college-level academic coursework and to develop students language skills eclectically. Relevance to the Industry

The working industry rates all these proficiency areas as highly relevant in the development of employee, both personally and professionally.

Course Objectives
To produce graduates who are able to demonstrate thinking skills in solving problems. To produce graduates who are able to effectively communicate ideas orally and in writing To produce graduates who are able to recognize and apply ethics and integrity in their professional and personal life. To produce graduates who are able to recognize the impact of their decisions and actions both locally and globally.

References

Main references supporting the course Cathy Cox and David Hill; EAP Now! English for Academic Purposes. Pearson Education Australia (2011) Additional references supporting the course Elaine Morais, Academic Writing for Beginners, The Beacon Press Sdn Bhd, 2006Cooke, A (2005) A guide to finding quality information on the internet, London, Library Association

Optional/Additional Materials
1. Related Magazines, Internet Sites, Newspapers, Video, Movie, CD-Rom, Other Related web-sites. 2. Posted slides on the respective titles on the Announcement section in VOISS/ SMS.

Course Assessment

Attendance & Participation Assignments (2 writing assignments) Oral Presentation Final Examination Total:

: : : :

10% 20% 20% 50% 100%

Course Syllabus

Week

Topics

Details

Learning Outcomes

S: Introducing yourself R: Skimming for main idea W: Essay Form and function

Introduction to the course

You will able to: Understand the techniques of skimming Analyze the structures and forms of essays

Course plan, requirements, guidelines and expectations

Techniques of skimming Analyze the structures and forms of essays

R: Previewing, making inferences W: Writing a paragraph

Main ideas and general overview of texts provided Writing a paragraph using a topic sentence

Infer main ideas and general overview of texts provided Construct a paragraph along with a topic sentence

S: Presenting a viewpoint R: Distinguishing general from specific, identifying causes W: Paragraph development Opinions or viewpoints about a certain topic Introduction, body paragraphs and conclusion

Express opinions or viewpoints about a certain topic Build introduction, body paragraphs and conclusion

Week

Topics

Details

Learning Outcomes

W: The thesis statement topic and angle R: Identifying support for hypotheses, summarizing an article

How to write Argumentative essays Writing effective Argumentative Essays

Write an argumentative essay

R: Scanning for information, finding support for/against a hypothesis W: Types of supporting material

Supporting details Evidence Research

Identify supporting details

R: Distinguishing general from specific W: Paragraph organization: Levels of generality

Distinguishing general from specific

Differentiate general from specific

7 R: Reading critically, identifying a bias W: Processes Distribution of Assignment

Mid-Semester Break.

Critical reading

Read and identify a bias

Week

Topics

Details

Learning Outcomes

Question R: Distinguishing fact and opinion W: Introductions and conclusions

Fact and opinion Effective introductions and conclusions

Distinguish fact and opinion Write introductions and conclusions

10

S: Presentation: Structure/Audience R: Making and supporting inferences Presentations W: Paraphrasing the theme or main idea R: Evaluating point of view W: Avoiding plagiarism

Inference skills

Infer from reading texts provided

11 12

Presentation in class. Paraphrasing Originality of work Paraphrase sentences

13

W: Summarizing R: Describing point of view, evaluating point of view

Summary writing

Summarize a text

14

Study Week / Revision.