Academic Writing for Science (Fachspezifisches Englisch III) (Wintersemester 2020/2021)

Lecturer: Dr. Sharon Therese Nemeth

General Information

• Weekly Hours: 2
• Credits: 3
• Graded: yes
• Enrolment Deadline: 01.10.-20.11.2020
• Teaching Form: Seminar
• Enrolment Type: Compulsory Elective Module
• Course Language: English
• Maximum number of participants: 15

Programs, Module Groups & Modules

Description

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Informationen im Hinblick auf die aktuelle Corona-Krise: Das Seminar ist als Präsenzformat geplant und für den Präsenzunterricht optimiert. Die virtuelle Zuschaltung über Zoom ist dennoch möglich. Bitte schreiben Sie sich in den Kurs ein oder kontaktieren Sie die Dozentin, damit Sie den Zoom-Link rechtzeitig zur ersten Sitzung erhalten. (Stand: 23.10.2020)

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“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”
 

“Things should be made as simple as possible, but not any simpler.”

–Albert Einstein
 

Course Description:

This course aims to take the mystery out of scientific writing by teaching the skills necessary 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 - centering on those qualities crucial to the positive reception of writing within the scientific community. Through close attention to written language, participants will learn what comprises clear, concise, and effective expression, and deepen this knowledge in class.

Emphasis will be placed on acquiring the skills to differentiate between strong and weak scientific writing, recognizing the essential qualities of good writing, and applying what has been learned in practical terms through coursework and in-class exercises.  We will focus on many of the typical writing problems of advanced writers of English and learn how to resolve them. At the end of the course, students should be able to edit their own writing more effectively.

Members of the course are asked to give a short presentation based on their assessment of a writing excerpt (maximum 2 pages) from a scientific text of their choice.

Examination

In-class participation, performance, and progress. A mid-term quiz and final exam, based on points covered in the course and writing exercises.

The final grade is primarily based on an average of the midterm and final exams.

However, because participation in class discussions also plays an important role in this course (as does holding an oral presentation and completing writing activities) these components factor into the final grade as well. 

Contributions to ALL of these areas will benefit the final assessment, just as a lack thereof will affect the final grade on a subtractive basis.

Dates

Thursdays, 9:15 to 10:45

Room A 1.2

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