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ENG/GEN1121 Academic Reading and Writing II

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Code

ENG/GEN1121

Title

Academic Reading and Writing II

Prerequisites

GEN1120 Academic Reading and Writing 1

Credits

3

Description

This is an advanced level academic reading and writing course, in which students undertake a major research project on an academic topic of their own choice. Building on the research and writing skills developed in previous courses, students select a project of substantial scope within an area of interest to them. They offer a sound defense of their choice of topic, using criteria appropriate to an academic context, and then prepare to undertake research. In preparing their research essays, students make use of library and online resources, as well as field research such as interviews or off-campus research, depending on the nature of their topic. Reading tasks include finding, analyzing, and evaluating a variety of sources. A process-approach to writing is adopted, with much attention to planning, outlining, surveying the literature, and drafting, rewriting, reviewing, and using feedback constructively. Attention is paid to both peer and instructor feedback.

Objectives

This course focuses on the following aims: To learn about the basics of research and research writing To develop critical thinking about academic topics and research To plan and carry out a semester-long research project on a chosen topic To find and use credible, relevant sources according to academic writing principles and APA style To plan, conduct, and present primary and secondary research To revise written work and develop language appropriate for academic contexts

Outcomes

On completion of this course, students will be able to: Define an appropriate research topic and set of research questions to be investigated Compile content from secondary sources including books, journals and other media Design a primary research project which may entail, identification and recruitment of research participants, selection of data collection methods and description of data collection procedures Analyze research results from interviews, observations, surveys and other primary sources Compare and contrast research results with other primary or secondary sources Compose an original research report using APA style and present it in class

Assessment

60 % -first and second assessments
40 % -final assessment

Tentative course outline

Week1

Class introductions; Course overview Academic integrity & other policies

Week2

"Organization of sociological research and use of methods (Primary research)" Introduction to primary research: types and purposes Background reading about primary research (Cottrell, 2008, https://www.macmillanihe.com/resources/CW%20resources%20(by%20Author)/C/Cottrell-study-skills-handbook/sample.pdf ) Research topic Research Proposal "Brainstorming of potential research topics; Selecting and narrowing down a research topic" Preparing a list of potential research topics for brainstorming

Week3

"Sociolization and Identity " Research Proposal "Statement of a research problem; Setting research objectives; Designing answerable research questions" "Designing research questions for the selected topic (Spickard, 2016, https://uk.sagepub.com/sites/default/files/upm-binaries/80307_Chapter_1_Spickard_Research_Basics.pdf?utm_content=bufferfe0ef&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer)" (Research problem & research questions) Research proposal "Research Proposal; Midterm 1" "Organization of a research paper & proposal; Text & paragraph organization" Preparing an outline for a research proposal

Week4

"Family in the Modern World " "Research Proposal; Literature Review section" Analytical & critical reading; Locating, reading and analyzing two journal articles related to the topic (https://digscholarship.unco.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1005&context=infolit) Content analysis of sources Research Proposal submission

Week5

Crime "Midterm 1; Literature Review section" Writing effective synthesis Writing a synthesis based on the information in a matrix (https://writingcenter.fiu.edu/resources/synthesis-matrix-2.pdf) Synthesis Paragraph writing Reviewing paragraph writing and APA style Revising topic sentences and support (http://sydney.edu.au/stuserv/documents/learning_centre/Cohesive1.pdf)

Week6

"Religion and Society Academic writing" "Midterm 1; Literature Review section" Academic vs colloquial language in academic writing & other writing mechanics Preparing a literature review outline Midterm 1: Synthesis Writing + APA style

Week7

"Culture and Society " Literature Review section Literature review strategies Revising academic linking words (coordinating & subordinating conjunctions, reference words) "Organization of sociological research and use of methods (Research design)" Midterm 2: Methods section Research design Background reading about research design (e.g. Driscoll, 2011; Grix, 2004) Literature review section 1st draft submission

Week8

"Organization of sociological research and use of methods Data collection" Midterm 2: Methods section Introduction to data collection methods Selection and justification of research methods (McDonald & Headlam, http://www.cles.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Research-Methods-Handbook.pdf?utm_content=buffer4cfd2&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer) Designing effective surveys and interviews Designing and trialing data collection instruments

Week9

Education and Social Inequality Midterm 2: Methods section Research participants & sampling strategies Recruiting research participants and gaining consent "Research population Fieldwork; Methods section" "Data collection procedure; Methods section"

Week10

"Mass media& Technology and Society (Ethics in research)" Midterm 2: Methods section Ethical considerations in primary research "Identifying and describing potential ethical issues in the study (https://uk.sagepub.com/en-gb/mst/100-questions-and-answers-about-research-ethics/book252542?utm_content=buffer4146c&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer#preview)" Midterm 2: Methods section 1st draft submission

Week11

Economic Development Results & Analysis section Qualitative data analysis & argument development Sorting research results (transcribing, designing figures and tables) Quantitative data analysis & argument development

Week12

Population & Urbanization Results & Analysis section Selecting & incorporating data into your writing "Interpreting and evaluating research results from raw data excerpts (Silverman, 2014, https://uk.sagepub.com/sites/default/files/upm-binaries/66995_IQD_sample_chapter.pdf?utm_content=buffer45f66&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer)" Comparing/linking research results to the literature Creating a grid for linking research results to the literature

Week13

Social changes Results & Analysis section Results & Analysis section Describing tables and figures (https://writingcenter.unc.edu/figures-and-charts/) Results & Analysis section 1st draft submission Oral presentation Data dissemination strategies

Week14

Oral presentation Research Project presentations "Preparing presentations; preparing final draft of the research paper; Compiling the portfolio"

Week15

Oral presentation Research Project presentations Final draft of research paper & portfolio