Prospectus

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Language Acquisition 6: Dimensions of Composition and Text Analysis

Course
2020-2021

Admission requirements

A pass for Language Acquisition 1 (or an equivalent introductory course on academic writing) is required.

Description

In Language Acquistion 6 you will build on your previously developed knowledge of English writing (LA1), vocabulary (LA2), grammar (LA3), rhetoric (LA4), and linguistics research methodologies (LA5), by learning how language functions and is investigated at the level of text and discourse. In the first half of the course, you will attend lectures and read assigned texts representing theories and related methods of genre and discourse analysis. You will have the opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge on a mid-term closed-response exam that will be administered electronically.
In the second half of the course, you will participate in seminar workshops in which you conduct your own analysis of language beyond the paragraph level with guidance from your tutor and three to four of your peers. You will participate in peer group discussions and peer review sessions to facilitate the process of moving your text analysis project from theoretically-grounded questions, to an analytic framework, and ultimately to a polished and concise final draft essay.

Course objectives

  • Understand theories and constructs related to discourse

  • Investigate how language functions at the level of text

  • Apply methods of discourse and genre analysis

  • Engage in independent text analysis

  • Develop audience awareness for effective written communication

  • Write an academic essay in English at CEF-level C1

Timetable

Kijk op MyTimetable.

Mode of instruction

Lecture, Seminar, Research

Assessment method

Assessment

  • Mid-term electronic examination with closed questions regarding lectures and assigned readings. A pass mark of 6 is needed to pass the course.

  • Seminar participation. Score is based on percentage of seminars attended with proper preparation.

  • 3,000-word text analysis essay at the end of the course. A score of 6 is required to pass the course.

Weighing

  • 40% Mid-term

  • 20% Seminar participation

  • 40% Research essay

During the course, students must submit all assignments to Blackboard by the deadlines. Students who do not meet this requirement are automatically excluded from further participation and should contact the Board of Examiners.

Students who have more than three absences for the semester cannot pass the course and cannot retake any course components.

Resit

Students may resit the mid-term with an initial score of 4.5-5.5. The end-of-term essay can be resubmitted if the score is between 4.5 and 5.5. This essay resit will constitute for 100% of the final grade, thus replacing all previously earned marks. Please note that there is no resit for the seminar participation.

Inspection and feedback

How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.

Reading list

Not applicable.

Registration

Enrolment through uSis is mandatory.

General information about uSis is available on the website

Students other than from the BA English language and culture cannot take this course.

Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs

Registration Studeren à la carte

Registration Contractonderwijs

Not applicable.

Contact

Please contact Student administration Arsenaal or the coordinator of studies for questions.

Remarks

Disclaimer: Please note that the course descriptions, in particular the assessment method, might be adjusted (timely) depending on the measures taken regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.