| Semester 1, 2020 Online | |
| Short Description: | Writing to Learn |
| Units : | 1 |
| Faculty or Section : | USQ College |
| School or Department : | USQ College |
| Student contribution band : | Band 1 |
| ASCED code : | 091501 - English Language |
| Grading basis : | Graded |
Staffing
Examiner:
Other requisites
Pre-requisite: Successful completion of EAPI or English Proficiency equivalent to IELTS Band 5.5 plus completion overseas or in Australia of Senior High School or Post-secondary diploma or first year degree or equivalent work experience.
Students are required to have access to a personal computer, e-mail capabilities and Internet access to UConnect. Current details of computer requirements can be found at
Rationale
A need has been recognised nationally and within this university for sound written academic communication skills prior to degree entry. The English Language program of the Open Access College focuses on strategies that develop independent assignment writing habits. International students and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students (CALD) students, whose learning strategies have previously been acquired in languages other than English, may need to adapt their previous knowledge to the range of performance strategies in written communication skills expected by higher education institutions in Australia.
Writing to Learn focuses on the many processes needed for successful academic written communication. The course complements the other courses that form the EAPII offering. EAP7320 prepares students for future degree studies.
Synopsis
In the course students analyse an assignment question and follow a series of steps towards writing an essay. Written texts will be analysed to develop academic literacies. Students will learn techniques to engage in written academic arguments whilst also increasing their information literacy skills.
Objectives
On successful completion of this course students should be able to:
- demonstrate technical skills associated with written communication for academic purposes (Assignment 1, 2,Test)
- show an understanding of critical thinking and academic information literacy by skilful analysis of written texts. (Assignment 1, 2,Test)
- display a suitable organisation of ideas and write an essay in an appropriate academic style (Assignment 2, Test).
- deploy a variety of academic communication skills related to the requirements of and audience for specific tasks (Assignment 1, 2,Test).
- demonstrate critical reflection skills (Test).
Topics
| Description | Weighting(%) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Essay structure, content, style; Library research | 16.00 |
| 2. | Understanding an assignment topic | 16.00 |
| 3. | Reading skills: developing research methods | 16.00 |
| 4. | Developing effective paragraphs | 16.00 |
| 5. | Reflecting, revising and rewriting for academic communication | 18.00 |
| 6. | Audience analysis; Main points; Introductions & Conclusions | 18.00 |
Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed
ALL textbooks and materials available to be purchased can be sourced from (unless otherwise stated). (https://omnia.usq.edu.au/textbooks/?year=2020&sem=01&subject1=EAP7320)
Please for alternative purchase options from USQ Bookshop. (https://omnia.usq.edu.au/info/contact/)
Reference materials
Student workload expectations
| Activity | Hours |
|---|---|
| Directed 精东传媒app | 54.00 |
| Private 精东传媒app | 109.00 |
| Test | 2.00 |
Assessment details
| Description | Marks out of | Wtg (%) | Due Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assign 1 Research | 100 | 10 | 03 Apr 2020 | |
| Assign 2 Essay | 100 | 30 | 15 May 2020 | |
| ONLINE EXAMINATION | 100 | 60 | End S1 |
Important assessment information
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Attendance requirements:
There are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration. -
Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
To satisfactorily complete an individual assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks for that item. -
Penalties for late submission of required work:
Students should refer to the Assessment Procedure (point 4.2.4). -
Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S1 2020 are: To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
Requirements after S1 2020:
To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must obtain at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course (i.e. the Primary Hurdle), and have satisfied the Secondary Hurdle (Supervised), i.e. the end of semester examination by achieving at least 50% of the marks available for that assessment item.
Supplementary assessment may be offered where a student has undertaken all of the required summative assessment items and has passed the Primary Hurdle but failed to satisfy the Secondary Hurdle (Supervised), or has satisfied the Secondary Hurdle (Supervised) but failed to achieve a passing Final Grade by 5% or less of the total weighted Marks.
To be awarded a passing grade for a supplementary assessment item (if applicable), a student must achieve at least 50% of the available marks for the supplementary assessment item as per the Assessment Procedure (point 4.4.2). -
Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks obtained for each of the summative items for the course. -
Examination information:
Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S1 2020 are: An Open Examination is one in which candidates may have access to any printed or written material and a calculator during the examination.
Requirements after S1 2020:
CLOSED: Candidates are allowed to bring only writing and drawing instruments into a closed examination. -
Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S1 2020 are: The details regarding deferred/supplementary examinations will be communicated at a later date
Requirements after S1 2020:
Any Deferred or Supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the next examination period. A supplementary exam may be awarded, at the discretion of the Examiner, to students who do not pass the final exam. It is expected that such students have gained at least 45% of the total weighted marks available for the course. -
精东传媒app Student Policies:
Students should read the USQ policies: Definitions, Assessment and Student Academic Misconduct to avoid actions which might contravene 精东传媒app policies and practices. These policies can be found at .
Assessment notes
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Referencing in assignments must comply with the Harvard (AGPS) referencing system. This system should be used by students to format details of the information sources they have cited in their work. The Harvard (APGS) style to be used is defined by the USQ library's referencing guide. This guide can be found at .
Evaluation and benchmarking
In meeting the 精东传媒app's aims to establish quality learning and teaching for all programs, this course monitors and ensures quality assurance and improvements in at least two ways. This course:
1. conforms to the USQ Policy on Evaluation of Teaching, Courses and Programs to ensure ongoing monitoring and systematic improvement.
2. forms part of the English for Academic Purposes program and is benchmarked against the internal USQ accreditation/reaccreditation processes which include (i) stringent standards in the independent accreditation of its academic programs, (ii) close integration between business and academic planning, and (iii) regular and rigorous review.
Other requirements
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1. Computer, e-mail and Internet access: Students are required to have access to a personal computer, e-mail capabilities and Internet access to UConnect. Current details of computer requirements can be found at .
2. Students can expect that questions in assessment items in this course may draw upon knowledge and skills that they can reasonably be expected to have acquired before enrolling in this course. This includes knowledge contained in pre-requisite courses and appropriate communication, information literacy, analytical, critical thinking, problem solving or numeracy skills. Students who do not possess such knowledge and skills should not expect the same grades as those students who do possess them.