59721 Academic English: Communication Fundamentals

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

Description

This subject provides an introduction to the nature of effective spoken and written communication in academic contexts. It examines what makes this form of communication different from communication in other contexts and makes its sometimes hidden rules explicit to students. Students study a range of spoken and written academic texts, unpack the features of the texts that make the communication effective, practise using these features, and receive peer and teacher feedback on their academic communicative competence. Students also begin to explore the distinguishing features of communication within their own discipline.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

As this is a stand-alone subject and not part of a specific degree program, the subject engages with the following Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Graduate Attributes:

1. Professional Readiness

2. Critical and Creative Inquiry

3. International and Intercultural Engagement

5. Active Citizenship

6. Effective Communication

Teaching and learning strategies

In this subject, students will engage in a variety of learning activities, including lecture, discussion, pair and group tasks, language exercises, reading and reflection. The lecturer scaffolds the reading of research-based texts and students participate in collaborative pair/group tasks to discuss, analyse, and critique the readings. Students also analyse samples of academic assignments. Based on lecturer input and self-study, students complete weekly tasks to check their learning on key aspects of academic reading, writing and referencing. Formative feedback will be provided on tasks completed in class.

In addition to weekly lectures and learning activities, students will read prescribed texts, locate appropriate academic resources to support written assessment tasks, and write, revise and edit their assignments. Students will access and study a range of academic learning materials available online and on the UTS Library website. They will reflect on their development as learners, and on the ways in which their knowledge from this subject can be applied across a range of academic contexts and in their professional practice.

Content (topics)

The subject consists of three components as follows:

• Understanding academic culture and academic communication
• Locating, evaluating, and analysing academic readings
• Analysing and producing spoken and written academic texts and argumentation

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Annotated bibliography and summary of one journal article

Assessment task 2: Recorded oral presentation

Assessment task 3: Literature review

Required texts

The following textbook is available in digital form through the UTS Library website:

Brick, J., Herke, M. & Wong, D. (2020). Academic culture: A student's guide to studying at university (4th ed.). Bloomsbury.