Introductory description

FP027-30 English for Academic Purposes for Law and Politics
This module helps students to develop academic listening , reading, speaking and writing skills to succeed in related undergraduate courses in the UK.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

ACADEMIC LISTENING

1. Identifying the purpose of a lecture
2. Using signposting/discourse markers to follow the structure of a lecture / extended spoken discourse
3. Following exchanges in seminars / Following speakers’ line of argument
4. Identifying main points, supporting details and digressions
5. Inferring speaker’s opinion / attitude
6. Developing strategies for dealing with unknown vocabulary
7. Recognising features of pronunciation that reduce comprehension eg. connected speech
8. Using an appropriate note-taking strategy, including using abbreviations and symbols
9. Understanding a range of accents
10. Using notes to produce a written or spoken summary

ACADEMIC READING

1. Finding suitable and relevant texts for the study of the Law and Politics
2. Identifying the structure of texts
3. Unpacking difficult texts (nominalisation, cohesion, complex sentences eg reduced relative clauses)
4. Developing appropriate reading strategies according to purpose
5. Developing appropriate note-taking strategies
6. Distinguishing main ideas from supporting information
7. Distinguishing fact from opinion, and supported claims from unsupported claims
8. Identifying common and divergent ideas across different texts
9. Evaluating texts (CRAAP) currency, relevance, authority, accuracy, purpose
10. Developing strategies for using texts to expand academic vocabulary

ACADEMIC WRITING

1. Writing in a formal and academic style appropriate for Law and Politics
2. Interpreting assignment titles and using grading guidelines
3. Organising different written texts commonly found in Law and Politics
4. Using signposting/cohesive devices as a means to structure writing
5. Citing sources and writing a reference list in a style appropriate to both Law and Politics
6. Incorporating academic arguments by paraphrasing and summarising from sources
7. Using appropriate reporting verbs
8. Synthesizing ideas from different sources
9. Constructing written summaries from listening/reading notes
10. Demonstrating academic integrity and applying strategies for avoiding plagiarism

ACADEMIC PRESENTATIONS

1. Structuring a presentation appropriately.
2. Supporting main points with explanation, evidence and examples.
3. Referring to visual data and sources, including appropriate references
4. Engaging the audience through the use of presentation techniques, (eg. pausing, pacing, emphasis and repetition)
5. Creating effective PowerPoint slides
6. Using cue cards (or similar) to avoid reading from a script
7. Leading a Q&A session and responding to questions effectively
8. Using intonation and pronunciation features appropriately

SEMINAR DISCUSSIONS

1. Considering the qualities a good seminar participant
2. Formulating arguments on topics related to students’ field of study.
3. Formulating counter-arguments (refutation) and counter-counter-arguments (rebuttals)
4. Referring to reading to support arguments
5. Clarifying and confirming understanding
6. Referring to and building on what other speakers have said
7. Encouraging participation from peers
8. Showing consideration for other participants

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Analyse, interpret and evaluate spoken and written discourse for the study of Law and Politics
• Synthesise relevant information/data to produce discipline specific written or spoken genres incorporating own ideas
• Communicate effectively in written and spoken genres
• Employ academic conventions appropriate to Law and Politics

Indicative reading list

Bradley, A. et al. (2017) How to Study Law, (8th ed.) Thomson
Carr, H. et al. (2009). Skills for Law Students, Oxford
Foster, S. (2012) How to Write Better Law Essays (4th ed.) Pearson
Walenn, J (2009) English for Law in Higher Education Studies, Garnet

Interdisciplinary

Students will have opportunities to draw on skills and knowledge within the different modules on their pathway.

International

The international nature of the student cohort allows for the teaching and learning to be approached from and inclusive of a range of international perspectives.

Subject specific skills

Academic writing, listening, speaking , reading skills appropriate to study of Law and Politics
Information literacy skills for the study of Law and Politics
Academic integrity within Law and Politics
Critical thinking within Law and Politics
Vocabulary building within Law and Politics

Transferable skills

Listening, reading, speaking and writing skills
information literacy skills
group work skills
independent study skills
critical thinking
academic integrity