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Course syllabus - Academic writing II. The academic article: Genre and form, 2.5 credits

Information about the course

  • Course code: FOUK021
  • Host School: School of Education, Culture and Communication
  • Valid from: 2024-01-01
  • Established by: Dean of School
  • Decision date: 2023-12-19
  • Level of education: Third cycle level

Course objective

The course aims to further the doctoral student’s competencies in recognizing, analyzing and selecting an appropriate academic genre and type of organization that best serves the doctoral student’s data and field.

Course content

The organization and form of research articles within the doctoral student’s discipline or field. Quality indicators of academic articles. Drawing on own data analysis with the purpose of identifying an argument with support/a narrative form. Outlining based on the purpose of each section in relation to the overall argument. Peer feedback.

Intented learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course the doctoral student should be able to

  1. analyze and discuss the typical organization of research publicationswithin the doctoral student’s discipline or field, and identify and assessimportant genre conventions and quality indicators.
  2. based on the doctoral student’s own data and analysis, and inaccordance with the above, construct an argument (or narrative, orother relevant organization).
  3. outline macro and meso-structures of a research publication accordingto the formulate argument or narrative, taking into account peer feedback and the genre conventions in the graduate student’s discipline or field.
  4. give and receive constructive feedback based on identified genre conventions or other constraints.

The intended qualitative targets in relation to the Higher Education Ordinance, appendix 2.

Knowledge and understanding

For the Degree of Doctor, the doctoral student shall demonstrate:

  • A2: familiarity with research methodology in general and the methods of the specific field of research in particular

Competence and skills

  • B4: the ability in both national and international contexts to present and discuss research and research findings authoritatively in speech and writing and in dialogue with the academic community and society in generalhe Degree of Doctor, the doctoral student shall demonstrate

Teaching formats

Lectures, seminars

Examination

SEM1: Construct a relevant argument with support/a narrative from collected data and discuss and defend it in a seminar. 0.5 credits, (learning outcome 1 and 2).

SEM2: Participate in peer feedback processes. 0.5 credits, (learning outcome 3).

INL: Writing assignment. An outline with a supporting argumentation for the choice of structure in relation to the main claim or narrative, corresponding to received feedback and identified genre conventions and quality indicators. 1.5 credits, (learning outcomes 1-4).

Grade

Examinations included in the course are assessed according to a two-grade scale, fail or pass.

Grades are to be decided by a teacher specially appointed by the university.

A person who has not passed the regular examination shall be given the opportunity to retake the test.

Requirements

To participate in the course and the examinations included in the course, the applicant must be admitted to doctoral studies. Subject to availability, teachers at Mälardalen University that hold a doctorate can be offered to take part of the course.

Specific requirements

  • Initiated thesis work, especially data collection or the equivalent.

Selection criteria

Selection of applicants will be made in accordance with the ranking below.

  1. Doctoral students at Mälardalen University
  2. Doctoral students at other higher education institutions
  3. Teachers at Mälardalen University that holds a PhD.