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The
Language Centre - an independent
institute of the University of Tampere since 1975 - specializes in the
teaching and research of Languages for Specific Purposes.
Its main function
is to provide teaching in the official languages of Finland (Finnish and
Swedish) and in foreign languages as required in the degree programmes of the
University.
The Language Centre teaches both students - Finnish and foreign -
and the personnel of the University, as well as people in working life.
The teaching for
students of the university is either a compulsory part of their degree
programmes or then an optional extra.
During their studies students take at least three or four compulsory language
courses intended to provide them with the language skills they need for their
studies, and also later in working life.
The compulsory courses are
designed according to the wishes of the faculties and departments and teach the
language of the special field of the students. They include tuition in
writing skills, discussion skills, specialist terminology and current affairs of
a culture and area in question.
Faculty of Social Sciences – International School of Social Sciences (ISSS):
Courses in English
Preparation for academic studies in English - 3 ECTS credits (2
credits)
Target groups:
degree and exchange students
who need orientation and practice in the basic
skills necessary for participating in an academic programme of studies in
English.
Extent of the course:
80 hours of student work divided between
the following two modules:
1.
Module A:
Preparatory Course in Writing
OBJECTIVES:
After successful
completion of the course the student will be
·
able to write logical and formally satisfactory sentences
·
able to give reasons and explanations for opinions and views
·
able to write reasonably clear and detailed texts
·
aware of the basics of referencing and the problem of plagiarism
·
ready to start practising academic writing
2.
Module B: Study Skills
OBJECTIVES:
After successful
completion of the course the student will be
·
aware of how to search for information effectively
·
able to read required study books and articles more efficiently
·
able to listen to lectures and isolate the essential points made
·
able to take and organise notes based on lectures and reading
·
able to initiate and maintain a discussion on a familiar subject
·
ready to start practising seminar skills.
Mode:
A mixture of contact teaching and guided independent study
(including essay writing).
Course materials:
The necessary materials (for which a small fee will be charged) will be
available from the course instructors.
Evaluation:
Continuous assessment based on successful completion of oral and written tasks
and active participation. Pass-fail grading.
Introduction
to Academic Writing - 3 ECTS credits (2 credits)
Target group:
students of all faculties who need to learn how to write academic texts in
English.
The course is compulsory for ISSS degree programme students
who have not previously received training in academic writing.
OBJECTIVES:
·
To
make the students aware of the conventions involved in producing good academic
writing.
·
To
enable students produce coherent academic texts of their own.
·
Preparation for the Thesis Writing course.
After successful completion of the course the students will be
·
able
to distinguish between formal and informal registers
·
aware
of the conventions typically applying to academic texts in their field of study
·
aware
of the textual structures commonly used in academic writing
·
able
to construct logical and coherent texts using appropriate lexical and structural
devices
·
aware
of the principles of referencing and can distinguish between legitimate and
illegitimate use of sources (paraphrasing vs. plagiarism)
·
able
to summarise an academic text
·
able
to synthesise and critically evaluate research carried out in their field of
study
Mode:
80 hours of student work including class work as well as guided
independent writing portfolio work. Moodle will be used as the online
learning environment.
Course materials:
The necessary materials will be available from the course instructor (for which
a small fee will be charged) and/or available on-line.
Evaluation:
Continuous assessment based on written tasks included in the students’
portfolios.
Pass-fail grading.
Introduction to Seminar Skills - 3 ECTS credits (2
credits)
Target group:
students of all faculties
who need to learn how to participate effectively in academic seminars in
English.
The course is compulsory for all ISSS degree programme students
who have not previously received training in seminar skills.
OBJECTIVES:
·
To
make the students aware of the conventions involved in effective seminar
participation.
·
To
enable students to defend and oppose statements of opinion using logically
constructed argumentation.
·
Preparation
for seminars in the students’ own fields of study.
After successful completion of the course the
students will be
·
aware
of the conventions governing academic seminars
·
distinguish
between statements of facts, opinions and feelings
·
be
able to take part in a seminar debate, as defendant, opponent, chair and member
of the audience
·
construct
a chain of reasoned argument, linking ideas logically and providing appropriate
evidence from external sources
·
write
a seminar paper.
Mode:
80 hours
of
student work including class work as well as
guided
independent work.
Course materials:
The necessary materials will be available from the course instructor (for which
a small fee will be charged) and/or available on-line.
Evaluation:
Continuous assessment based on seminar tasks,
active participation and a written seminar paper.
Pass-fail
grading.
Introduction to Thesis Writing - 3 ECTS credits (2 credits)
Target group:
students of all faculties who need to learn how to write a Master’s degree
thesis in English.
The course is compulsory for all students following a master’s degree programme
through the International School of Social Sciences (ISSS).
OBJECTIVES:
·
To
make the students aware of how to express in English the results of their
critical thinking in a form which is consistent with the conventions governing
the writing of theses.
·
To
this end the students will be working with the Master’s degree thesis which they
have in process.
After successful completion of the course the students will be
·
able to review a thesis critically
·
structure a
thesis argument
·
write a research plan in English
·
write a
literature review.
Mode:
80 hours of student work combining a mixture of class work,
writing clinics, tutorials as well as guided independent writing
portfolio work. Moodle will be used as the online learning environment.
Course materials:
The necessary materials will be available from the course instructor (for which
a small fee will be charged) and/or available on-line.
Evaluation: Continuous assessment based on written tasks included in the
students’ portfolios. Pass-fail grading.
Keywords:
credit earning courses for university students – courses in
English - academic programme in English - language skills - writing skills - study skills
- discussion skills - academic writing skills - academic skills –
writing portfolio – seminar skills - information searching - referencing basics - principles of referencing - use
of sources - plagiarism - evaluating research - academic writing conventions -
thesis writing skills - thesis writing conventions - seminar conventions - research plan - literature
review - guide indipendent work - class work |
