Presenting Academic Discourse

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

170 hours

Non native speakers of English may enrol without sitting for a placement test, but may be recommended to other subjects during the first two weeks of the semester depending on their English language proficiency. Native, or near native speakers of English are not eligible to enrol.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject aims to develop the advanced language required for successful postgraduate study in English. In this subject students will develop critical approaches to researching, reading and writing. They will also develop the ability to plan and present confidently on a research topic and to write a literature review fluently and accurately. Particular attention is paid to grammatical and stylistic aspects of written and spoken academic discourse. Students write and present on a research topic that is relevant to their field of study. This subject is divided into engineering and general streams.

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

• read academic texts in their own discipline more effectively using a range of strategies, including recognition of the rhetorical structures in the text;
• critically analyse texts;
• summarise, paraphrase and synthesize information from a variety of sources;
• acknowledge information sources appropriately;
• write a cohesive and grammatically accurate literature review in the appropriate register;
• deliver a seminar presentation using appropriate visual aides and manage follow-up discussions.

• A 300-500 word summary due in week 4 [10%]
• A 1000 word critical review due mid semester [20%]
• A 2500 word literature review due at the end of semester [40%]
• A seminar presentation of 7-10 minutes given in week 11 [30%]

Hurdle Requirement - Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of classes in order to pass this subject.

A reading pack will be made available

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to:

• critically read a range of academic texts;
• summarise and paraphrase and synthesize information from a variety of sources;
• acknowledge information sources appropriately;
• write a grammatically accurate and cohesive literature review;
• deliver a seminar presentation using appropriate visual aids;
• direct discussions and respond appropriately to questions from the audience;
• participate effectively in group work;
• self and peer review written and oral work.