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IL1AKSHN - Key skills and language for Business and Finance degrees course

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IL1AKSHN-Key skills and language for Business and Finance degrees course

Module Provider: International Study and Language Institute
Number of credits: 0 [0 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Summer term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2020/1

Module Convenor: Miss Victoria Collins

Email: v.collins@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This course provides an orientation to the academic language and literacy skills needed to perform more effectively on a UK Business School master’s programme. Students will have the opportunity to study academic texts in their subject area, become more aware of the types of writing assignments they will encounter, and familiarise themselves with the spoken communication demands of their degrees. They will also be introduced to the academic practice and independent learning expectations of UK postgraduate study, and gain familiarity with Reading’s learning platforms and digital resources.ÌýÌý


Aims:

The course aims to develop students’ understanding of and competency in using the discipline-specific academic language, skills and practices required to perform effectively on their postgraduate degree programmes in Henley Business School.Ìý



By the end of the course students will be better able toÌý



Writing SkillsÌý




  • analyse HBS writing assignment instructions accurately, recognising what is required in an effective responseÌý

  • distinguish between the different assignment types (or genres) you are required to write, e.g. the Essay, Case Study, Proposal, and ReflectionÌýÌý

  • produce effective written coursework, applying genre-appropriate organisational patterns at paragraph, section and whole-text levelÌýÌý

  • develop logical arguments and a critical writer ‘voice’ within texts you produceÌý



Reading SkillsÌý




  • critically engage with texts in your discipline, employing appropriate academic reading skills and strategiesÌý

  • identify and appraise writer stance and argument within disciplinary textsÌý



Reading-to-Write SkillsÌý




  • use a variety of techniques to incorporate and comment on the views of others in your writingÌýÌý

  • synthesise ideas and information from a range of source texts to make evidence-based argumentsÌý

  • accurately apply the referencing conventions for your discipline when citing your readingÌý



Accuracy & FluencyÌý




  • use appropriate disciplinary vocabulary and academic grammar to communicate fluently and accurately in your speaking and writingÌý

  • prepare and produce confident and coherent spoken-language textsÌý



Academic Practice & Independent LearningÌý




  • demonstrate an awareness of university policies and practices, and the reasons behind them such as conventions for good academic practice, and student feedback mechanismsÌý

  • locate and utilise learning resources and techniques to continue your own academic skills development.Ìý


Assessable learning outcomes:

The course will not be assessed.


Additional outcomes:

n/a


Outline content:

Academic Practice & Independent Learning:




  • Studying at postgraduate level: an overview of skills & language expectations

  • Academic integrity: citing sources

  • Differences and similarities between coursework and exam writing

  • Independent learning resources: digital and face-to-face support at Reading



Writing:




  • Orientation to key written genres in your discipline: case studies & proposals

  • Orientation to key written genres in your discipline: essays & reflections

  • Developing definitions in your academic work

  • Creating cohesion in academic writing



Reading:




  • Academic journal articles in your discipline: review vs. research articles

  • A ‘Moves & Steps’ approach to reading research articles: Intro ductions & Discussions

  • Applying reading skills: focus on the Harvard Business Review



Reading-to-write:




  • Why and how sources are used in academic writing

  • Introduction to an online citation tool

  • Synthesis and citation of multiple sources at paragraph level



Spoken Language:




  • Listening for key points and listening for de tails of an interactive presentation

  • Spoken accuracy & fluency: ‘Me in a minute’ – presenting yourself succinctly


Global context:

This module supports internationalisation at Reading by facilitating successful and equal inclusion of students whose first language is not English in UK degree programme study.Ìý


Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The course takes a discipline-specific approach to language and literacy development using example student texts and published Business/Finance-specific sources in lesson input.



Learning will combine lecture-style input with a learner-centred, task-based approach to:




  • analysis of example texts from the target genresÌý

  • guided ‘noticing’ of key (organisational, (argumentative) and) linguistic features in context Ìý

  • scaffolded written-language and spoken-language tasksÌýÌý



The course is delivered online, with students engaging independently with the majority of asynchronous input. Alongside asynchronous learning, a strand of synchronous engagement will be facilitated by live online Q&A sessions 2-3 times per week.Ìý


Contact hours:
Ìý Autumn Spring Summer
Guided independent study: Ìý Ìý Ìý
Ìý Ìý Other 30
Ìý Ìý Reflection 3
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý
Total hours by term 0 0 33
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý
Total hours for module 33

Summative Assessment Methods:
Method Percentage

Summative assessment- Examinations:

None


Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

None


Formative assessment methods:

None


Penalties for late submission:

n/a


Assessment requirements for a pass:

n/a


Reassessment arrangements:

n/a


Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

None


Last updated: 17 July 2020

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MODULE DESCRIPTION DOES NOT FORM ANY PART OF A STUDENT'S CONTRACT.

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