Course syllabus
PDA183, Academic Reading in Education
15 credits, second cycle
Confirmation
This course syllabus was confirmed by Department of Education and Special Education on 2011-03-09 and was last revised on 2017-06-13 to be valid from 2017-06-13, autumn semester of 2017.
Field of education: Social Sciences 100%
Department: Department of Education and Special Education
Position in the educational system
The course can be part of the following programme: International Master's Programme in Educational Research (L2EUR)
Main field of studies: Education and Didactics
Specialization: A1F, Second cycle, has second-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Entry requirements
When the course is given within the International Master programme in Educational Research, the student should have passed the first year's courses in the programme in order to demonstrate eligibility. (PDA085 Introduction to International Master in Educational Research, PDA180 Research Environment Course - Optional Course I, PDA086 Research Methodology, Inquiry and Data Analysis, PDA181 Introduction to a Research Environment - Optional Course II).
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the course the student is expected to:
Knowledge and understanding
- demonstrate the knowledge to identify the academic contribution in various genres of texts and recognise the author’s purpose and possible bias as well as identify and challenge questionable assumptions and unsupported claims;
- acquire knowledge of how to identify significant gaps in the literature as well as suggestions for alternative research approaches and theories;
Skills and abilities
- describe and analyse different research papers, local and global, with particular emphasis on the structure and effectiveness of rhetorical components such as argument, counter argument, and effectiveness, etc;
- identify the strengths and weaknesses of different methodologies and research traditions employed in the literature;
Judgment and approach
- independently analyse the literature from a critical reading perspective.
Course content
The course is divided into two parts. The first part, Text analysis consists of text analysis focused on the evaluation of rhetorical devices employed in various texts and research articles. The second part consists of a self-directed systematic literature review that focuses on the topic chosen for the Master thesis in education that is to be undertaken in course PDA184. Students are encouraged to employ the text analysis and evaluation skills they are developing during the Text analysis part, as well as the writing skills that are targeted in course PDA182, to successfully complete the Literature review part of the course.
Form of teaching
Part one of the course (Text analysis) is taught in a combination of lectures and workshops. Part two of the course (Literature review) is undertaking as self-study project under group supervision of course tutors. The language of instruction is English.
Assessment
Assessment of the first part of the course is based on a number of reflective notes, contributions to all seminar discussions, and a course paper. Assessment of the second part of the course is based on the literature review. In this text, the student will demonstrate his or her ability to apply knowledge and skills from part one to part two.
In case of work not meeting pass standard, the tutor may instruct further work to be undertaken prior to final assessment.
A student who has failed the course twice has the right to change examiners. In order to do so, a written application must be sent to the department.
The number of examination opportunities is limited to five.
Should the course be terminated, or undergo significant changes, the student is guaranteed at least three examination opportunities, including the regular examination, during a period of at least one year based on the original course.
Grades
The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U).
For the grade Pass, both course elements must be graded at least Pass. For the grade Pass with Distinction, both the first part (Text analysis) and the second part (Literature review) of the course must be graded Pass with Distinction. Each part contributes 7,5 hec to the final grade, but both parts need to be completed to pass the course.
Course evaluation
Evaluation is an integrated part of the course. The results of the evaluation should be made available to the students and will be considered in future course development.
The syllabus as PDF download
Course summary:
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