Research and Study Skills: The Academic Workshop I
Full course description
Writing is a crucial part of your training as an academic: it is not just a matter of structure and language, but also requires you to analyse, synthesize and evaluate information and ideas, to plan your own work, and to organise collective learning through peer feedback, to name just a few elements. So, while this course focuses on writing your first academic paper, it at the same time brings together the three learning trajectories on (1) Problem-Based Learning, (2) academic research and writing, and (3) generic study skills and reflection.
In the Academic Workshop I you will learn to write a basic library research paper based on a research question you have developed yourselves with tutor guidance. This course builds on the skills developed in period 1 (Research and Writing in European Studies) and period 2 (Working with Research Problems), which introduced you to the basics of academic research and writing. In the Academic Workshop I, we go one step further by also training you in: reflecting on argument and structure in academic writing, engaging with academic literature in your argumentation, dealing with (peer) feedback and organising your writing process.
Course objectives
At the end of this skills training course you will be able to:
Use library research to answer a research question you have developed yourself;
Organise your research and writing process;
Structure an effective academic argument in writing;
Draw on and analyse academic literature to support and strengthen your argumentation;
Communicate your findings in a style fitting to the academic audience in European Studies;
Give constructive, useful feedback to peers;
Revise, edit and proofread your written work building on (peer) feedback and on individual priorities developed on the basis of past writing tasks;
Understand and apply conventions of academic writing, including the guidelines set by the American Psychological Association (APA).
Recommended reading
Readings are assigned via Canvas for each assignment. In addition, we can recommend you (one of) the following textbooks:
Booth, W.C., Colomb, G.C., & Williams, J.M. (2008). The craft of research. (3rd ed.). Chicago/London: The University of Chicago Press.
Creme, Ph., & Lea, M.R. (2008). Writing at University. A guide for students. (3rd ed.). Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill/Open University Press.
Kirton, B., & McMillan, K. (2007). Just write. An easy-to-use guide to writing at university. London/New York: Routledge.
Wisker, G. (2019). The undergraduate research handbook. (2nd ed.). London: Red Globe Press