Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Unit

Synopsis

This unit offers an examination of the internal relationships which create textual coherence. The unit aims to develop students' insights into the way a text becomes a meaningful and unified unit of communication. Students will be required to analyse a variety of English language models. Emphasis is placed on the relationship between the organisation of structure, the content and the expectations of the reader. Influences such as the context and the intertextual links formed by the message are also examined during the course. Students have the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of a range of textual theories in the creation of their own texts.

Objectives

At the completion of this unit it is expected that students, as multilingual speakers, will be able to:

1. Understand some of the theoretical concepts of English discourse through a multilingual perspective.
2. Understand the cultural motivation that has influenced the English writing system.
3. Apply the structures of the written discourse to a variety of textual situations.
4. Understand how the development of thought is expressed in text and the significance of these structures for the multilingual speaker.
5. Identify the link between expectation and outcome as a basis for understanding of text.
6. Understand the importance of the reader in the development of the written text.
7. Consider the importance of the editing process within a text.
8. Form a range of critical perspectives through which to understand the message in the written text.
9. Work with a variety of specific functional genres in English, looking at their structure, content and cultural characteristics.
10. Consider the influence of new technology in the development of writing strategies.
11. Develop a distinct writer's voice that is appropriate within a specific genre.
12. Reflect on their own writing practices within various language situations.

Assessment

Written work: 60%
Test: 20%
Oral presentation: 10%
Class participation: 10%

Chief examiner(s)

Assoc Prof Farzad Sharifian

Contact hours

two hours/week

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

English as an international language