Course syllabus

 

Description

 

This course can help you improve your academic writing needed in other subjects, in particular, planning and writing essays. The course guides you through the process of writing academic expository and argument essays. It begins with planning using brainstorming including freewriting, mind mapping, listing and outlining. It then moves on to the structure of an essay developing an introduction with a strong thesis statement, paragraphs including topic sentences with logically developed supporting sentences and conclusions. Linking expressions and cohesive devices develop fluency. Learning how to use the library to find appropriate academic sources and then integrating and referencing them accurately in essays through summarising and quoting helps you avoid plagiarism. The features of argument academic essays are practised: argument, counterargument and refutation.

ACADENG 101 is also an approved course for students who have not met the Academic English Language Literacy Requirements (AELR). The course is available for students from selected Faculties.

Class limits information for 2016: Summer School enrolment is limited to 30 students, with admission on a first in, first enrolled basis. Semester One enrolment is limited to 120 students, with admission on a first in, first enrolled basis. Semester Two enrolment is limited to 120 students, with admission on a first in, first enrolled basis.

 

Availability 2016

Summer School, repeated Semester 1 and 2

 

For Semester 2: Classes are as follows:

Monday and Tuesday   15:00-17:00

Thursday and Friday     09.00-11.00

Thursday and Friday     13:00-15.00

Thursday and Friday     15:00 -17:00

Check SS0 for upto date information on room locations.

Teaching Staff

Coordinator(s)  Martin White and staff from Applied Language Studies

 

 Points

ACADENG 101: 15.0 points

Restrictions

 May not be taken if ENGWRIT 101 or ESOL 201 or ACADENG 201 or ESOL 210 or ACADENG 210 has previously been passed. This course is available only to students who speak English as an additional language or approved AELR students.                  

 

Learning Resources

Main Resource:  Textbook

 The required text for this course is:  ACADENG 101: Academic English Writing Textbook.  This is available to enrolled students from Arts Assignment Centre, 3F, Arts 1 Building.

 

Assessment

 Coursework:            50%

Final Exam:               50% 

 

Assessement Breakdown

 Planning and Writing an Expository Essay                                                                 10%

1. Writing a referenced Argument Essay                                                                   20%
2. Library: Attend Library Resources Session + complete library on-line test.              5%
3. Expository essay writing test                                                                                  10%
4. Tutorial Tasks x 5@ 1% each                                                                                    5%

 

Content Outline

Week 1:      Course introduction

 Week 2:      Planning an essay including brainstorming and organising:

 Week 3:      Writing an expository essay

 Week 4:      Paragraph writing

 Week 5:  Library Research Session

 Week 6: Test 1: Expository essay

 Week 7: Referencing: APA style, Plagiarism, Summary writing

 Week 8: Writing a referenced argument essay

 Week 9: Structure and introduction of argument essays

 Week 10: Analysing model argument essays and writing practice

 Week 11: Focus on Language

 Week 12:.Final Exam information and writing practice.

 

Workload

As with other 15-point courses, the University of Auckland's expectation is that students spend 10 hours per week on the course.  You should manage you academic workload and other commitments accordingly.  Students attend two 2-hour classes each week.  This leaves 6 hours per week outside the classroom for assignments and the exam.

Due Dates and Assignment Topics

 See the separate sheet “Essay Topics and Due Dates” available from your class teacher 

Assignments must be handed in on the due dates and must be complete,

 

You need to generate your personal coversheet from CANVAS. You should staple this to the front of your assignment. Then submit your assignment to 3rd Floor Reception Arts 1 Building by 4.00 pm.

 

Make a copy of your assignment before submitting as there is a risk of assignments being lost. Without a copy, if your assignment is lost, you will need to rewrite it or forfeit the marks.

 

Submit an electronic copy of your assignment to CANVAS before the assignment deadline. Any submissions after this time will incur the normal late penalty of 5% per day for the assignment. See below for the CLL/ ALSL policy on late assignments and requests for extensions.

The following University website gives information about applications for aegrotat or compassionate consideration:

(http://www.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/for/currentstudents/academiclife/aegrotatinfo.cfm),

 

Assignments: Deadlines, Penalties and Extensions

 

Assignments should be typed.  Assignments must be handed in with the appropriate individually generated cover sheet.  Assignments without an appropriate cover sheet will not be marked.  

 

DEADLINES

Deadlines for coursework are NOT generally negotiable.  Any work submitted after the due date and without an extension form will be treated as overdue and penalties will apply (see below).

 

Out of class (take-home) assessments are due no later than 4pm on the due date. Assignments handed in after 4pm, will not be processed until the following work day and penalties will apply. 

 

PENALTIES

The mark given to an overdue assignment will be reduced by 5 per cent (out of 100) for each day that it is late up to 5 working days (e.g. an assignment worth 80 per cent would receive 75 per cent if it is one day late, 70 per cent if it is two days late etc… 55 per cent if it is 5 days late.)  

 

Assignments which are due on Friday, but not processed until the following Monday, will be counted as TWO days late.

 

Overdue assignments submitted more than five days late will not be marked nor will assignments be marked if submitted after the assignment has been marked and returned.  Unmarked assignments will be held until the end of the semester at which time the marker may choose to award a minimal completion mark (1 or 2 per cent) in cases where the final grade for the student is borderline (D+).  For this reason, it is better to hand in a late assignment than no assignment at all.

 

HOW TO SEEK/ REQUEST/ APPLY FOR AN EXTENSION

 

In serious circumstances beyond the student’s control (see below), s/he may apply to the staff member who marks the assignment for an extension form. Students should request extensions 2-3 days in advance.  Only in extreme circumstances will late requests for extensions be considered.

Serious circumstances means sudden illness (in the case of in-class tests etc) or long-term illness (for essays etc done over a week or more) but does NOT mean time management difficulties such as too many assignments due at once, wanting to go on holiday, relatives visiting from overseas etc.

 

Only ONE extension can be granted to a student per assignment.

 

OUT-OF-CLASS ASSESSMENT 

 (I.e. take-home essays/ projects assignments etc)

 When a staff member grants an extension they will issue the student with a signed extension form stating a new due date, and any additional documentation they may require (such as medical certificates).

 The completed assignment must be submitted on or before the new due date together with the signed extension form and the other paperwork. Otherwise the extension will be void and the assignment will be treated as overdue.

 

IN CLASS TESTS

 Extensions are not possible at all for in-class tests. When serious circumstances (e.g. sudden serious illness or a car accident) cause a student to miss an in-class test , it is expected that the student will notify the department at the earliest possible opportunity, if possible before the scheduled test or presentation takes place.   If the student or their representative makes no contact with the department within five days of the scheduled test, they will be awarded a zero grade for that piece of assessment.  Extreme cases will be judged on their own merits. Documentation may be required.

 

PLAGIARISM

Note also the following statement regarding plagiarism.

‘The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence.  The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting his or her learning.  Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced.   This requirement also applies to sources on the world-wide web.  A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms.  Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.’

The penalties for plagiarism are severe and can range from gaining no marks for the assignment to disciplinary action under the terms of the Examination Regulations.

 

For further details and advice on avoiding plagiarism, please consult:  University’s Guidelines: Conduct of Coursework, and Guidelines

http://www.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/fms/default/uoa/about/teaching/policiesprocedures/docs/conductcoursework.pdf

 

THIRD PARTY ASSISTANCE

 

ACADENG 101 is different from other courses you take at university in that your ability to write clear, accurate English and edit your own work is part of what is being assessed through your assignments.  As you are being partly assessed on your understanding and use of the English language, you are not permitted to have assistance with writing or re-writing all or any part of your assessed work by third parties. Examples of “third parties” are: fellow students, friends, parents, Student Learning Services/ELE staff, and professional editing services. This applies for the duration of this course.

 

SOCIAL MEDIA

If you are considering setting up a class Facebook page or a similar page on other social media, please note the following information set out in The University of Auckland Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Statute 2007.

ICT used at or for University activities cannot be used to store, display or communicate files     containing any text or image that is deceptive or misleading; is abusive or defamatory; or contravenes a person’s privacy. Failure to comply with the terms of this warning may result in disciplinary action by the University.

Students are urged to discuss privately any impairment-related requirements face-to-face and/or in written from with the course convenor, lecturer and/or tutor.

DELNA is a free check of your academic English language skills. Your results will not exclude you from courses you are already enrolled in and will not appear on your official academic record. The process begins with a computer-based screening, which may reveal that you need to do a diagnosis. Do this as soon as you can. The diagnosis will give you a finer language profile of your listening, reading and writing skills. You will then be able to discuss these results with a friendly language adviser who will advise the best language enrichment for you on campus. This will put you on track to achieving better academic results! Note: You only need to do the DELNA screening ONCE (NOT for each course). You will be emailed your results and your faculty will be informed that you have completed this assessment.

DELNA SERVICES: Rooms 419, 421, and 425 ARTS, 1 Building 206

1. 3737599 x 88947 / 82427 delna@auckland.ac.nz; www.delna@auckland.ac.nz