General provisions

The syllabus was adopted by the Board of the Faculty of Languages on 2008-04-03 to be in effect as of 2008-07-01.

Entry requirements

Either a Bachelor's degree with a major in social sciences, or a Bachelor's degree (any major) plus 90 credits in one of the social sciences.

Learning outcomes

Upon completing the course students will

- have a good ability to write academic prose in English

- have a good familiarity with the formalities of academic writing

- be able to present their research findings in a clear and structured manner

- have a good ability to read English texts in their field and discuss them in English

- have a good awareness of various genres

Content

The course comprises practical exercises in writing abstracts, summaries of academic works, reviews, conference presentations, and sections of essays. The focus lies on enhancing students' awareness of the importance of the writing process in research work. In a workshop setting participants read and discuss each other's texts against the background of recent theories about written academic discourse.

Instruction

Group instruction. All teaching materials are in English.

Assessment

Examination is done partly in the form of continuous reports and written assignments and partly in the form of a final limited written presentation. Grades used are either Fail or Pass.

Students who do not achieve a passing grade on the regular examination will have another opportunity to take the examination within a reasonable period of time after the regular examination.

Students who fail a certain examination twice have the right upon request, following consultation with the head of department, to have another examiner appointed.

Course level in relation to degree requirements

The course is intended to add breadth to studies and cannot be counted as an in-depth course toward a degree.

Other directives

If the syllabus or course reading for a component has been changed, students have a right to be examined under the original syllabus and course reading on two occasions during the following semester. Normally this right then expires. Otherwise there are no limitations on the number of examination opportunities.

Results that are more than five years old are normally not recognised if the syllabus for the course component has been changed.

Questions about the right to count the course toward a Master's degree are decided by the participants' respective departments.

Transitional provisions

For transitional regulations in the case of changes in the syllabus, please contact the student adviser.