PMCb1002 Academic writing

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2022
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Charles Michael Elavsky, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Catherine Girard (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr. et Mgr. Vlastimil Havlík, Ph.D.
Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: doc. Mgr. et Mgr. Vlastimil Havlík, Ph.D.
Timetable
Fri 8:00–9:40 P24a
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim of the course is to provide students with an explanation of the basic principles of academic writing including academic style and genres. The course will consider the structure of an academic paper and how to organize and present arguments. Students will become familiar with how to work with different sources including citations and bibliographies. Students will also learn how to actively and critically read the work of others.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, students will understand the basic elements of academic papers, the academic style of writing, the main genres of academic writing (research paper, literature review, grant proposal). Students will be able to critically read texts and actively use sources as well as apply the norms for proper citation of sources. The knowledge acquired during the course will be used by students for their own original research and publication in the study program.
Syllabus
  • 1. Academic style – basic elements
  • 2. Academic language
  • 3. Academic genres – papers, reviews, abstracts
  • 4. Work with sources I.
  • 5. Work with sources II.
  • 6. Active and critical reading
  • 7.Reading week
  • 8. Structure of an academic paper
  • 9. Research question and introduction to an academic paper
  • 10. Argumentation and the main body of an academic paper
  • 11. Conclusion
  • 12. Revisions
Literature
    required literature
  • Belcher, W. L. (2019). Writing your journal article in twelve weeks: A guide to academic publishing success. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
  • Gillett, A., Hammond, A., & Martala, M. (2013). Inside track to successful academic writing. London: Pearson.
  • Hartley, J. (2008). Academic Writing and Publishing. A Practical Handbook. Abingdon: Routledge.
  • Jesson, J., Matheson, L., & Lacey, F. M. (2011). Doing your literature review: Traditional and systematic techniques. Sage.
Teaching methods
Lectures, class discussion, short homework for class discussion, final paper.
Assessment methods
Eight short homework assignments (5 points each) aimed at testing academic writing skills, class activities (30 points in total), and a final paper (30 points).
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2023, Autumn 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2022, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2022/PMCb1002