Introduction to Academic Writing and Research

New to higher education studies & it all seems too hard? Worried about writing essay papers? Or where to begin researching? Or you feel confident in writing, but want to learn the skills of evaluating the masses of information we are bombarded with? This unit is for you! It will give you the tools of how to succeed in your undergraduate academic studies. It will examine how you learn, plus challenge you to think deeper, wider and more creatively. It will also encourage you in how to critically evaluate and reflect on information. Plus develop your skills in how to put it all together in an essay paper or oral presentation.

Awards offering Introduction to Academic Writing and Research

This unit is offered as a part of the following awards:

• Associate Degree in Education Studies
• Bachelor of Applied Social Science
• Bachelor of Arts (Education Studies)
• Bachelor of Business
• Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Ministry
• Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Theology
• Bachelor of Ministry
• Bachelor of Theology
• Diploma of Business
• Diploma of Education Studies
• Undergraduate Certificate in Arts
• Undergraduate Certificate in Ministry

Unit Content

Curriculum Objective

This subjects aims to foster the academic skills required for undergraduate student success.

Outcomes

1. Identify and foster the skills required for academic studies;
2. Compare different learning styles and the best techniques to harness these for academic success;
3. Demonstrate skills in thinking critically and creatively;
4. Perform academic writing, including demonstration of the ability to sustain a logical researched argument in a piece of writing;
5. Illustrate competence in a variety of academic referencing styles;
6. Demonstrate proficiency in academic research, including the reading and identification of different genres;
7. Demonstrate skills for good oral communication.

Subject Content

1. Introduction
2. Learning Styles
3. Bloom’s Taxonomy
4. Introduction to Research
5. Academic Writing
6. Referencing and Plagiarism
7. Reference Software
8. The Essay Writing Process
9. Writing Skills
10. Editing Skills
11. Critical & Creative Thinking
12. Quantitative Research
13. Qualitative Research
14. Christian Worldview
15. Oral Presentation Skills

This course may be offered in the following formats

• Face to Face (onsite)
• Distance/E-Learning (online)
• Intensive (One week: 7 hours per day for 5 days = 35 class hours + approx 85 hours out of class time for research, writing, exam preparation and execution, ancillary activities associated with completion of assigned tasks.)

Please consult your course prospectus or enquire about how and when this course will be offered next at Alphacrucis University College.

Assessment Methods

• Forum Reflective Journals (15%)
• Annnotated Bibliography (30%)
• Essay Outline (15%)
• Essay and Oral Presentation (40%)

Business Students Assessment Methods (applicable to Bachelor of Business (BBus) or BBus Double Degree students only)

For students enrolled in the Bachelor of Business (or a BBus Double Degree), the following assessment methods apply:

• Reading Responses (in-class) (30%)
• Oral Presentation (20%)
• Major Essay (50%)

Prescribed Text

• Grellier, Jane., Veronica. Goerke, and Katie. Fielding. Communications Toolkit. 5th ed. Melbourne: Cengage Learning Australia, 2021.

Please consult your instructor before purchasing any textbooks