QCF112 Academic English 1


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Unit Outline: College 1 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Unit code:QCF112
Credit points:12
Coordinator:Jessica Croft | j5.croft@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

This unit focuses on developing your academic language skills in preparation for tertiary study. By exposing you to language in the academic context, Academic English 1 develops your ability to use the generic structures and linguistic features salient to academic English. There is a particular focus in the unit on fostering the complex language forms which characterise academic writing and speaking in order to enhance your ability to use these forms in powerful and purposeful ways.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Use fundamental academic text structures and genre conventions (CLO1, CLO2, CLO6)
  2. Select and sequence subject matter to communicate a chosen perspective. (CLO1)
  3. Use cohesive devices, grammar structure, and language choices that are appropriate to particular purposes and contexts. (CLO3, CLO4)
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of the role of writer/speaker and its relationships with high-knowledge audiences. (CLO4)
  5. Demonstrate an understanding of citation and referencing conventions. (CLO5, CLO6)

Content

In this unit, you will be exposed to a range of academic text types in preparation for your study at university. You will also be required to create and construct a variety of standard academic texts and genres that demonstrate your development toward tertiary study. The key features of academic texts, in addition to the creativity and flexibility which characterise academic language use, are fundamental to the content of this unit. The focus will be on:

  • understanding fundamental academic texts types and conventions
  • understanding and using the linguistic features of academic texts
  • creating academic texts
  • developing your own academic writing style and voice
  • familiarising yourself with academic integrity practices 

Learning Approaches

This unit creates a supportive learning environment in which you can develop confidence and independence as you develop control over an extensive range of academic language skills. The approaches to teaching and learning in this unit are informed by the principles of second language acquisition. In this environment, you will complete activities and tasks which will expose you to a diversity of academic text types and explore the reasonings and mechanics if their construction. Activities and tasks will also require you to produce academic language in increasingly complex ways.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:

  • Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation
  • Formal: in writing, such as checklists, rubrics, written commentary
  • Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation
  • Indirect: to the whole class
  • Peer/self: group activities, such as self-reflection, peer feedback 

Assessment

Overview

Assessment in this unit provides you with opportunities to demonstrate your acquisition of academic English as per the unit's learning objectives. Assessment focuses on the production of academic language across a wide range of academic text types and linguistic features. Due to the construction of high frequency academic genres, the assessment items in this unit are interrelated and connected, and, thus, contribute to your overall development.


Modification to assessment may be required based on mode of study.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Note Taking Test

You will be required to watch a video, take notes and produce an outline summary of the text.

Weight: 15
Length: 2 hours
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 6
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3

Assessment: Expository Essay

You will be required to write an academic essay of 1000 words. You will be provided with a selection of essay topics and readings. Your essay will demonstrate your understanding of the features of high- quality academic writing through selection of evidence, sequencing, and academic language features. You will be required to use the words of others and appropriate citation and referencing conventions to support the ideas developed in your essay. 

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions. 

Weight: 25
Length: 1000 words
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 11
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Assessment: Presentation

In this task, you will prepare and present a comparative oral presentation on a topic provided by your teacher.

Your presentation should follow the structure taught in this subject to demonstrate your understanding of presentation conventions. You will be provided with academic readings for this task. No additional research will be required for this task.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions. 

Weight: 30
Length: 6-8 minutes
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 13
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Assessment: Examination

You will be required to write an essay of 600 - 800 words in examination conditions which responds to a set question (unseen). You will be provided with two readings in the examination. These readings will be selected from set class readings. You will be required to use the words of others and citation conventions to support the ideas developed in your essay.

Weight: 30
Length: 600-800 words
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Exam block
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

There is no set text for this unit. All learning resources will be available to you via the unit's Canvas site.

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

QC08 Standard Foundation Program

  1. Demonstrate and apply theoretical, conceptual and/or technical knowledge based on the discipline of study
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2
  2. Apply critical, creative and analytical thinking and effective problem solving in a range of contexts
    Relates to: ULO1
  3. Use academic language to suit the intended purpose and audience in written, oral and multimodal genres
    Relates to: ULO3, Expository Essay, Presentation
  4. Demonstrate interpersonal communication skills and cultural awareness appropriate to collaborative and classroom contexts
    Relates to: ULO3, ULO4
  5. Model ethical and culturally responsible behaviour and self-regulated academic practice
    Relates to: ULO5
  6. Apply academic, information and digital literacy skills appropriate to undergraduate study
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO5, Note Taking Test , Expository Essay, Presentation