Fachspezifisches Englisch (Level 3) (Wintersemester 2016/2017)

Lecturer: Dr. Sharon Therese Nemeth

General Information

• Weekly Hours: 2
• Credits: 3
• Graded: yes
• Enrolment Deadline: 28.10.2016
• Teaching Form: Seminar
• Enrolment Type: Compulsory Elective Module

Programs, Module Groups & Modules

Description

Scientific Writing

Course Statement/Objectives:

“… scientific writing is not a science. It does not contain laws obtained through derivations and experiments. Scientific writing is a craft. It consists of skills that are developed through study and practice. Moreover, scientific writing is not mystical. In fact, scientific writing is straightforward. Unlike other forms of writing … scientific writing has two specific goals: to inform readers and to persuade readers.”

- Michael Alley, The Craft of Scientific Writing

This course aims to take the mystery out of scientific writing by teaching the skills needed to produce a well-written paper in English. In this sense, we will concentrate on language, specifically how words are used and how to aim for the best writing possible. Through practice you will learn to express yourself in a clear, concise, and effective manner—qualities crucial to the reception of your work.

You will acquire the ability to differentiate between strong and weak scientific writing, to recognize the essential qualities of good writing and to apply what you have learned to your own work.  We will focus on many of the typical writing problems of advanced writers of English and learn how to resolve them. An important goal of this course is for you to be able to edit your own work effectively.

Participants have to opportunity to analyze and practice writing skills and also receive feedback on their own work. For this reason, in the second or third meeting, you are required to submit to me 2 pages of your own recent (and typical) writing; this could be a work in progress, pages from a seminar paper, your bachelor thesis, etc.

In the course you will also be asked to give a short presentation based on your assessment of the qualities of writing in a scientific text (maximum 2 pages) of your choice.

Examination

In-class participation, performance, and progress. A mid-term quiz and

short final exam, based on points covered in the course, will be given.

Dates

Thursday, 9.15–10.45, room A-1.2

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