IF0NUP: English for Academic Purposes Project

Module code: IF0NUP

Module provider: International Study and Language Institute

Credits: 20

Level: Foundation Level

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Chris Cookson, email: c.cookson@reading.ac.uk

NUIST module lead: Dan Cheng, email:

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 29 August 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module provides the opportunity to engage in an extended piece of source-based writing which is typical of the coursework assignments encountered by undergraduate student on many degree programmes. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. develop a detailed and relevant response to an assignment prompt and express this clearly in a well-organised manner 
2. demonstrate effective use of sources by identifying relevant information and incorporating this into their own writing in an appropriate academic manner (e.g. through paraphrasing and referencing) 
3. express their response using appropriate and accurate academic language 
4. discuss their ideas and progress and respond to feedback (oral and written) both informally with peers and in formal one-to-one tutorials when revising and refining their work 
5. manage their time effectively and work independently to complete a complex and extended piece of writing 

Module content

The module will support the development of students’ academic skills by focusing on: 

• Reading, including working with authentic academic texts, note-taking, comparing texts. 
• Planning, including brainstorming and organising ideas to form a coherent plan (in groups and/or individually), discussing plans, revising plans in the light of new information and feedback. 
• Using selected sources and paraphrasing or summarising content, synthesising relevant information, using in text citation and writing a list of references. 
• Writing, including drafting and redrafting, peer evaluation, interpreting and prioritising feedback. 
• Language work on aspects of academic writing relevant to the assignment. There will also be ad hoc language work as required by the demands of the assignment, and in response to the language needs and problems of individual students. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

During the first phase of the course there is a strong focus on reading the source texts. In latter stages, the emphasis shifts to focus on student writing and language work based on student need. 

Class and homework will include: scaffolded reading of texts in class to support comprehension; independent reading of text extracts; subsequent analysis of the texts to highlight, analyse and practice features of academic language use; analysis of example student writing to focus on aspects of text organisation and language use. 

Study hours

At least 80 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs