Communication for Academic Purposes

Course aim

To prepare students for the university environment by equipping them with academic literacy skills.

Course content

This course teaches the key skills required for written work at an Academic level. Practical in nature, it covers:

• Fundamental aspects of question comprehension;
• Structure and construction of academic writing text types;
• Key areas of common English grammar including punctuation and register;
• Applying reading strategies for complex texts;
• Effective time management, meeting deadlines, and how to build strong study habits by strategically breaking down and applying the 8-10 hours of study expectation for a university course per week.

It will also examine the difference in writing styles for varying disciplines, and encompasses:

• Skimming and scanning;
• Note-taking;
• Summarising;
• Building an academic argument;
• Referencing and academic integrity skills; and
• Will demonstrate how conventions found in academic writing are necessary outside of the university environment.

Each week students are taught conventions of academic writing and the importance of understanding what a text’s audience, purpose and content are. These conventions are demonstrated using academic and non-academic writing techniques and text types. Across the course, the students learn to construct different text types commonly used at university level and are taught the importance of editing and proofing written work.

Textbook(s)

Nil

Prerequisite(s)

Nil

Corequisite(s)

Nil

Teaching method

Note: These components may or may not be scheduled in every study period. Please refer to the timetable for further details.

Assessment

Continuous online writing folio, Minor essay, Participation, Reading activity

Fees

EFTSL*: 0.125
Commonwealth Supported program (Band 4A)
To determine the fee for this course as part of a Commonwealth Supported program, go to:
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Fee-paying program for domestic and international students
International students and students undertaking this course as part of a postgraduate fee paying program must refer to the relevant program home page to determine the cost for undertaking this course.

Non-award enrolment
Non-award tuition fees are set by the university. To determine the cost of this course, go to:
How to determine the relevant non award tuition fee. (Opens new window)

Not all courses are available on all of the above bases, and students must check to ensure that they are permitted to enrol in a particular course.

* Equivalent Full Time Study Load. Please note: all EFTSL values are published and calculated at ten decimal places. Values are displayed to three decimal places for ease of interpretation.