Undergraduate - UnitATS3781 - English as an international language: Writing across cultures

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Notes

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.

Outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate an understanding of how a person brings his/her own cultural practice and cultural identity into writing;
2. Demonstrate awareness of features of writing in World Englishes and in different societies in the world;
3. Have a critical perspective on 'good writing' in today's globalised world.
4. Critically challenge the assumptions behind one hegemonic model of writing in English in international communication;
5. Develop cross-cultural and international writing competence in an international professional context.

Assessment

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

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Zhichang Xu

Contact hours

two hours/week

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

English as an international language