This semester e3 and Environmental Engineering Division once again inviting Prof. Webeck from Tohoku University to teach a popular course "Presenting research findings in English ".
This intensive course will focus on developing skills for using English effectively in the academic environment. Participants will be equipped with a set of techniques for writing and presenting research well in English, which will help build confidence to perform impressively on the global academic stage. The teaching material will be focused on the topic of research ethics in the field of engineering.
Key words: logic, idea development, academic style, persuasion, research ethics
Instructor: Dr. Elizabeth Webeck
Associate Professor, Interdepartmental Doctoral Degree Program for Multi-dimensional Materials Science Leaders, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University
Dates: December 1st and December 8th, 2018
Venue: Faculty of Engineering, Academic lounge 3 (please find the map attached) Language: English Credits: 1 credit (elective), intensive course
Participants: Students of Graduate School of Engineering (TOEIC level of over 670 is advised)
Preliminary registration: access the form online or e-mail to eprogram@eng.hokudai.ac.jp your Name, Division, Program and Year.
Deadline: November 26 (Mon), 2018
Course timetable and venues:
This is a 1 credit intensive course (elective). Students of Graduate School of Engineering can register a credit for this course through the Academic Affairs Office after attending.
Course Requirements
In order to obtain a credit participants are expected to attend all sessions, actively participate, and complete all the assignments. Assignments: One well-written abstract, one logical well-developed paragraph, academic sentence work
Course Outline
Class 1: What is logic and how do we use it? Introducing the expressions appropriate for expressing certain types of ideas in academic English. Skim reading and paraphrasing ideas in focus from the text. (Topic: Ethics in research)
Class 2: How do we choose what kind of sentences to use? Various sentence types will be practiced, with a focus on what kind of sentences should be used as topic sentences and in support.
Students will write a variety of sentence structures to represent various logically organized ideas by combining sentence fragments. (Topic: The KYB corp damper scandal)
Class 3: Practice. After skim reading, students will focus on a set of sentences, and practice combining ideas using academic logic and transition. This will be extended to paragraph writing, using a variety of sentences and appropriate transition. (Topic: Sweden - Micro-chip implants)
Class 4: Abstract writing. What makes a good abstract? We will study the structure and content.
Good examples will be provided, and practice based on a set of points from a real abstract.
Class 5: Writing academic sentences. Using sentence fragments from academic text to combine and create good academic sentences. Heighten awareness of what does and does not constitute good academic writing. (Material: Fragments from a published paper)
Class 6: Writing introductions & conclusions. What goes in an introduction? What goes in a conclusion? How can we structure our ideas simply and clearly? How do we use previous literature to best effect? We’ll look at both good and bad examples.
Class 7: Making interesting presentations. Use structure and the logic to tell clear, well-developed stories in quickly prepared presentations in the classroom. Follow using the Q and A structures taught earlier. Use the same structures to develop quick paragraphs. (Topics: Research Ethics/ data fabrication/ unethical practices in industry)
Class 8: Question time. Develop strategies for formulating intelligent questions for confidently asking questions in conferences and with other researchers. Develop strategies for dealing with questions in question time and in discussions with other researchers.
Homework
There will be some homework to prepare for the next day, but minimal.
Grading system
25% Abstract
25% Paragraph(s)
25% Sentence combining activity
25% Active participation
Materials/Textbooks
Will be provided.
Websites
Background knowledge: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/feb/18/haruko-obokata-stap-cells-controversy-scientists-lie
Additional Information
TOEIC level of over 670 is advised
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