Course syllabus - Academic English

Objectives

The objective of the course is for students to acquire enhanced skills in Academic English with regard to written and spoken production as well as reading and listening comprehension. It is primarily intended for students who otherwise study subjects other than English. The course offers an overview of basic grammatical rules and an introduction to other aspects of academic communication in English, with a focus on dictionary use and academic vocabulary, writing rules, text structure, presentation techniques, and source use.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:
1.  apply the grammatical rules of Standard English in speech and writing
2.  choose and use suitable English words, phrases and idioms belonging to the academic sphere
3.  understand, process and discuss spoken and written texts in Academic English
4.  formulate spoken and written presentations in Academic English, with a good use of the language and by respecting the requirements of the genre when it comes to structure, word choice and source use

Course content

- spoken and written academic communication in English
- dictionary use and academic vocabulary
- applied English grammar
- source use

Tuition

Teaching and learning take place in English and in the form of lectures, seminars, literature studies and different types of exercises. The course is partly based on ICT.

Requirements

Basic eligibility and English 6

Examination

NÄR1, Compulsory attendance, 1 credit, compulsory attendance concerning learning outcomes 1-4, grades Fail (U) or Pass (G).
ÖVN1, exercises, 1.5 credits, completed web-based exercises concerning learning outcomes 1-4, grades Fail (U) or Pass (G). 
INL1, assignments, 3 credits, oral and written assignments concerning learning outcomes 1-4, grades Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG).
TEN1, written examination, 2 credits, individual written examination concerning learning outcomes 1-2, grades Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG).

For a Pass with distinction (VG) on the course as a whole, the student must have earned that grade for INL1 and TEN1.

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding a disability has the opportunity to submit a request for supportive measures during written examinations or other forms of examination, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Examinations at First-cycle and Second-cycle Level at Mälardalen University (2020/1655). It is the examiner who takes decisions on any supportive measures, based on what kind of certificate is issued, and in that case which measures are to be applied.

Suspicions of attempting to deceive in examinations (cheating) are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, and are examined by the University’s Disciplinary Board. If the Disciplinary Board considers the student to be guilty of a disciplinary offence, the Board will take a decision on disciplinary action, which will be a warning or suspension.

Grade

Pass with distinction, Pass, Fail

Interim Regulations and Other Regulations

This course overlaps in part with the courses Language Skills and Communication in English 1, as well as Technical English, and cannot be included in a degree together with any of these.