Syllabus


Course Name:  Academic English for PhD Students

 

 

  1. Course Objectives (General and Specific Objectives):

Course purpose and overview:

The main objective of this Academic English Writing course is to help advanced research students develop independent writing and speaking skills in English for the purpose of publicizing their work in international journals and presenting it at international academic conferences. The course focuses on the genre-specific, textual, and linguistic features of scientific writing to provide students with guidelines for producing writing in their academic fields. Participation in the course offers students the opportunity to write about their research and receive individualized feedback on their writing and speaking.

 

2. Course Content (Rationale and Topics):

Course Format (Teaching Methods, Use of Technology, Guest Lecturers):

Teaching techniques, technology use, guest speakers:

  • Synchronous online classes

  • Class discussions

  • Pair/group work

  • Individual tutorials

  • Assignments submitted via Lamda

  • Internet use for supplementary material (in class and homework) and relevant videos

  • Effective and ethical use of AI

 

Detailed Course Schedule:

Reading strategies, language components and related reading selections:

Below is a list of the skills taught and practiced in the course.

  • The genre and conventions of academic writing for publication in international journals

  • The academic writing process: planning, outlining, drafting, revising, editing, proofreading

  • Structure of research articles

  • Academic language and register (e.g., formality, hedging)

  • Writing for an audience

  • Writing from sources (avoiding plagiarism)

  • Cohesion (transitions and rhetorical markers)

  • Relevant grammatical and mechanical issues

  • Using online tools and AI for academic writing and editing

  • Benefits, limitations, and ethical considerations of using AI in academic writing

  • Preparing academic/professional presentations (structure, presentation skills, PPT preparation)


 

3. Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to do the following:

 

  • Develop effective academic rhetorical strategies and demonstrate awareness of key stylistic conventions

  • Select and organize material to facilitate presentation of arguments

  • Identify and correct linguistic problems in their writing

  • Demonstrate enhanced oral proficiency as a result of participating in class discussions and activities

  • Prepare and deliver a professional/academic oral presentation

     

4. Course requirements:

 

  • Attendance and active participation in class sessions

  • Successful completion of class assignments and homework

  • Oral presentation (delivered in person in class)

 

 

5. Components of the Final Grade (Numerical Grade / Pass-Fail Grade):

Components of the class grade:

 

  • The course grade is based on a series of assignments completed throughout the course:

    • A variety of writing assignments varying in length

  • Biographical Statement

  • Abstract

  • Segment of Introduction

  • Segment of Discussion

  • Oral presentation appropriate for a conference

  • Academic elevator pitch (optional)

  • The final course grade is pass/fail. To pass the course, students must earn a minimum grade of 75 on all coursework.

     

  • There is no exam in the course.