Academic Discourse: English in a Global Context

Singapore University of Social Sciences

Academic Discourse: English in a Global Context (TSL571)

Synopsis

TSL 571 Academic Discourse: English in a Global Context provides students with a critical understanding of academic discourse as a type of discourse characterized, in its idealized form, by rational thinking and detached reasoning. The course also examines critically the notion that academic discourse is not only concerned with the dissemination of knowledge, but also with the construction and maintenance of social roles and relationships of academics and students, and their relationships to the global academic community and beyond. The course then explores the privileged status of English as the lingua franca of academia and its impact on the academic practices of ESL/EFL learners. The course ends with a detailed investigation of various types of academic discourses of particular relevance to students.

Level: 5
Credit Units: 5
Presentation Pattern: EVERY 2 YEARS
E-Learning: BLENDED - Learning is done MAINLY online using interactive study materials in Canvas. Students receive guidance and support from online instructors via discussion forums and emails. This is supplemented with SOME face-to-face sessions. If the course has an exam component, this will be administered on-campus.

Topics

Academic discourse: Main concepts; local and global academic communities and cultures; academic identity, conformity and power
The privileged status of English as the lingua franca of academia and its impact on the “internationalization” of higher education
Textual approaches to the study of academic discourse
Contextual approaches to the study of academic discourse
Academic integrity: Plagiarism and collusion; APA convention
Academic genre: Rhetorical goals and moves
Computer text corpora of written and spoken academic discourse
Type of research discourse: The research article
Type of research discourse: The thesis/dissertation
Type of research discourse: The conference presentation
Type of instructional discourse: The university lecture and seminar
Type of instructional discourse: Textbooks and e-learning materials

Learning Outcome

Discuss critically the main concepts in the study of academic discourse
Examine critically the status of English as the lingua franca of academia and its impact on the “internationalization” of higher education
Distinguish between different approaches to the study of academic discourse
Evaluate different types of instructional discourses in terms of their alignment to conventions of academic discourse
Critique different types of research discourses in terms of their alignment to conventions of academic discourse
Prepare a research discourse document in accordance with prescribed academic discourse practices