Introduction to Course:

Academic writing is formal, structured, and sophisticated writing to fulfill the requirements for a particular field of study. The course aims at providing an understanding of the writer’s goal of writing (i.e. clear, organized, and effective content)and to use that understanding and awareness for academic reading and writing. The objectives of the course are to make the students acquire and master academic writing skills. The course would enable the students to develop argumentative writing techniques. The students would be able to the content logically to add specific details on the topics such as facts, examples, and statistical or numerical values. The course will also provide insight to convey the knowledge and ideas in an objective and persuasive manner. Furthermore, the course will also enhance the students’ understanding of ethical considerations in writing academic assignments and topics including citation, plagiarism, formatting, and referencing the sources as well as the technical aspects involved in referencing.

Class Day and Time:

BS PSYCHOLOGY III (SS): Monday- Tuesday: 02:00-03:30

Course Prerequisite knowledge and skills:

Students are expected to demonstrate some quality writing skills on the first day of class. While I will provide feedback on writing throughout the semester, I expect students to be knowledgeable of grammar rules, essay structure, and proper citation styles.

System of Evaluation: Course Requirement and Assessment Scheme

1. A mid-term paper (5-6 pages) is assigned: 30%. 

2. The final Term exam will be after week 16, based on the topics discussed in the live sessions of the class meeting; 50%. The exam will ask students to apply some basic concepts and/or conceptual framework that they will have learned in the course and discuss topics they are interested in.

They will be encouraged to conduct short and easily manageable empirical investigations. Specific guidelines for the assignment and exam will be given in the class.

3. Two in-class quizzes (weeks 7 and week 13), assessing comprehension of the assigned reading materials: 10%

4. Attendance and participation: 10%

Course Expectations:

The course is being delivered online via the Zoom platform. Assessments will include project-based work, discussions, and quizzes. Students are expected to follow a weekly outline that is found on the Home page of the course. The outline provides materials and opportunities to engage and practice the information learned in sequential steps that ultimately lead to the goals and objectives of the course. Within each week’s outline, you will find the week’s topic, learning objectives, lecture, readings, and assignments. Course Outline is uploaded in Course Material.

Required Textbooks

1. Bailey, S. (2011).Academic writing: A handbook for international students(3rd ed.). New York: Routledge.
2. Swales, J. M., & Feak, C. B. (2012). Academic writing for graduate students: Essential tasks and skills (3rd ed.). Ann Arbor: The University of Michigan Press.

Textbooks and PPTs/Handouts:

• Required Textbook(s) and PPTs/Handouts are provided in Course Material.