Academic Language Skills for Law
| Module title | Academic Language Skills for Law |
|---|---|
| Module code | LAW1910 |
| Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Credits | |
| Module staff | Isabel Margaret Noon (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 10 | 9 | 0 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 30 |
|---|
Module description
This optional module is designed for international students who are new to study in the UK context and/or for whom English is an additional language. It introduces you to academic conventions and expectations and focuses on the advanced, subject-specific language skills you need for your assignments and course participation. The seminars provide a supportive environment in which to develop your language and academic skills, ask questions and share experiences with other students. There is no summative assessment for this module, instead there are regular opportunities for formative, pre-submission feedback on the language and organisation of the assignments for your core modules.
Delivery is through weekly 1 hour seminars and bookable 1-1 tutorials.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This is a non-credit bearing module that runs in parallel to your core modules and helps you develop the academic language skills needed for assignments and course participation. It aims to:
- enhance your awareness of appropriate academic vocabulary, expression and grammar.
- develop your ability to write clearly and concisely in academic contexts.
- develop your ability to follow appropriate citation and referencing conventions.
- enhance your ability to communicate effectively in academic contexts such as presentations, seminars and tutorials.
- provide you with strategies for reading academic texts efficiently and effectively for both content and language development.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Differentiate between types of English, e.g. academic English, colloquial English, journalistic English.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 2. Use appropriate language and register for your academic discipline.
- 3. Cite and reference sources appropriately in your assignments.
- 4. Organise and structure assignments effectively with clear progression and linking both within and between paragraphs.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Write clearly and concisely avoiding unnecessary words, repetition and common grammatical errors.
- 6. Deliver effective presentations.
- 7. Participate in seminar discussions.
- 8. Read texts efficiently and effectively to identify key content.
- 9. Summarise and paraphrase reading materials effectively.
Syllabus plan
While the syllabus will vary depending on the academic language skills and the assignments of the students attending, it is envisaged that the module will cover all or some of the following:
- Academic language and style
- Strategies for effective reading
- Approaches to summarising and paraphrasing
- Citing and referencing conventions
- Structuring and organising written assignments
- Writing effective introductions, paragraphs and conclusions
- Writing clearly and concisely
- Creating cohesion and flow in written texts
- Giving effective presentations
- Strategies for seminar participation.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | 0 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 19 | Lectures & synchronous sessions. |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
You will be directed throughout the course to resources available through the Exeter Learning Environment which are relevant to your learning needs
| Credit value | |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 0 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 4 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 27/04/2023 |
| Last revision date | 15/08/2023 |
