Course Syllabus and Schedule UCC 103 Research and Writing January – April 2021 Trimester

COURSE CODE: UCC 103

COURSE TITLE: Research and Writing

COURSE START DATE: Tuesday, Jan., 19th 2021

COURSE END DATE: Friday, 16th April 2021

INSTRUCTOR: DR. JANE KINUTHIA

FACULTY INFORMATION

Instructor/Facilitator: Dr. Jane Kinuthia

E-mail address: jane.kinuthia@pacuniversity.ac.ke

Telephone numbers for emergency help: 0701430893

Office Location: Evangel Building (E1)

Hours for Synchronous activities: Tuesdays 17:30- 20:30 hours (bi-weekly)

Asynchronous activities: (Within the week)

Office hours – Mondays 14:00 – 16:30 hours

Instructor Availability: Do not hesitate to contact me. Please let me know how I can better
support and challenge you. It is easier to reach me by e-mail. If you prefer to phone you can call
the University number, 254-20-8561820, during office hours. Sometimes my schedule will not
allow me to read each new posting in the forum at each login. Therefore, if you have a direct
question for me that you are posting to one of the forums, begin the subject line with a question
mark (?). I will attend to those first if I have a limited time frame

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Course Syllabus and Schedule UCC 103 Research and Writing January – April 2021 Trimester

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Description
The course introduces the learner to the elements of reading and writing essential to effective
academic writing.

GOALS AND PURPOSE OF THE COURSE

Purpose

This course will enable students to develop the knowledge, skills, values, principles, and
attitudes needed to undertake academic tasks, emphasizing undergraduate research papers. It also
prepares them to effectively communicate later on in their careers, professions, and ministries.
The course equips them with skills necessary for lifelong independent learning, researching, and
publishing.

EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ELOS)

By the end of the course, the student should be able to:

 Discuss academic writing as an inquiry process that uses research and writing to form
new questions and pursue existing enduring questions.
 Produce research-based write-ups that are appropriate to the context, audience, purpose,
and genre.
 Evaluate arguments
 Identify and consistently use APA documentation style.
 Extract, source, and use relevant information in academic research.

REQUIRED COURSE TEXTS/MATERIALS/ADDITIONAL

EQUIPMENT
This section will include:
Required texts or materials: any books or other materials, such as software

Required Course Texts

Core reading Materials
Murray, N., & Hughes, G. (2008). Ebook: Writing up your university assignments and research
projects. ProQuest Ebook Central https://ebookcentral.proquest.com

The Handbook of Academic Writing

https://www.pdfdrive.com/handbook-of-academic-writing-d18771907.html
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Course Syllabus and Schedule UCC 103 Research and Writing January – April 2021 Trimester

Recommended for Further Reading

The Handbook of Academic Writing
https://www.pdfdrive.com/handbook-of-academic-writing-d18771907.html

Feldman, A. M. (2008). Making writing matter : Composition in the engaged university. ProQuest
Ebook Central https://ebookcentral.proquest.com

Creme, P., & Lea, M. (2008). Ebook: Writing at university: a guide for students. ProQuest Ebook
Central https://ebookcentral.proquest.com

ASSIGNMENTS AND DUE DATES

Rubrics

1. Assignments – The assignments will be similar to the tasks you have done for other
courses. The only difference is that you will be submitting them through the Assignment
& tests Folder.
These will be 2: (WEEK 6 & 8)
Course Outcome Fulfilled: Objectives 1-5
Grading Value: 15% each (there will be two of these assignments)
Due Date: This assignment is to be submitted by the next class latest.
Description: Students are expected to read and answer the questions asked as per the
instructions provided
Grading Parameters:
 Argumentation (5mark);
 Clarification of concepts and evidence to have read given readings (5mark);
 Systematic presentation and flow of thought (5mark)

2.Discussion Questions (weeks 2, 5, 8 &10)

There will be 4 DQs, each four marks. I will be using the following descriptions to grade
your DQs. You are, however, advised to work within the rubric and beyond as we
encourage creativity.

Rubrics for discussions

(Very good) 4 (good)3 (Fair) 2 1(poor)

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Course Syllabus and Schedule UCC 103 Research and Writing January – April 2021 Trimester

The student responded The student posted a The student posted a The student did not
to teach a member of minimum of two minimum of one time post during the week
the group on posted times to the during the week to the to the discussion
topic/lesson discussion board but discussion board. board
missed either 1)an
original response or
b) a reply to a
classmate
Comments/questions Comments/questions Comments/questions Comments were not
were responsive to the were reasonably were reasonable reasonably
discussion questions responsive to the responsive to the responsive to the
discussion questions discussion topic discussion topics
Comments/questions Comments/questions Comments/questions Comments/questions
provided evidence that provided evidence provided evidence that did not provide
student had read and that the student had the student had read evidence that the
considered a read and considered and considered at least student had read and
substantial number of at least some some classmates' considered the
classmates postings classmates postings postings before classmates' postings
before responding before responding responding before responding.

Comments or question Comments/questions

significantly enhanced quality of
contributes to the discussion
discussion

3. Weekly Compendiums – Weekly compendiums should cover many concepts – not just
one. They should be approximately 100 words and should be based on your interaction
with the following: textbook reading, lecture review, discussion questions and response,
and general in the class dialog. The compendium is to analyze what you have learned from
participating in all facets of the course during the week. Weekly compendiums are due
according to the course schedule and are to be posted to the forum.

Participation – Your quality participation will make this course a success. You are expected to
make a minimum of two substantive commentaries in the forum each week.

Course Outcome Fulfilled: Objectives 1-5

Grading Value: Total 10% (2 WCs each five marks)
Due Date: These assignments are to be submitted by the end of week 4(WC1) & 7 (WC2)
Description: Students are expected to read assigned readings and answer the LMS questions
each week based on required tasks.
Grading Parameters: Grading will be determined by correct answers to the questions based on
the assigned problem and the components described below:

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Course Syllabus and Schedule UCC 103 Research and Writing January – April 2021 Trimester

Element Description
Mechanics Consistently avoids typographical, spelling, and grammatical errors.
(1)
Accuracy Makes statements that are accurate and supported with evidence; for academic
(2) articulated learning statements, accurately identifies, describes, and applies
appropriate academic principle(s).
Clarity (1) Consistently expands on and expresses ideas in alternative ways, provides
examples/illustrations.
Relevance Describes learning relevant to the articulated learning statement category and
(1) keeps the discussion specific to the learning being articulated.

Grade Marks for various Assignments and Exams for the course

The following are the weightings of assignments for this course

ASSIGNMENTS MARKS

Discussion Questions – There will be four discussion questions ( 16 marks)

posted to the forum for the response, each four marks)
Assignments – There will be two assignments that will need to be (15x2)=30 marks
completed and submitted through the Assignment Folder each 15
marks
Weekly Compendium – There will be two weekly compendiums,
each 5 marks. You will have an opportunity to reflect on the (10)
previous weeks' learning through the course. These compendia will
be posted to the forum.

Participation – Marks will be given for your participation in the (4)

course. This will be based on adherence to the course procedures
and substantive participation during the zoom sessions
Total for course work 60%
Exam Total 40%
TOTAL 100%

Assignment Marks calculations

1. Discussion questions 16% (4x4)
2. 2 Weekly Compendium 10% (2x5)
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Course Syllabus and Schedule UCC 103 Research and Writing January – April 2021 Trimester

3. 2 Assignments 30% (2x15)

4. Participation 4%
Total Course work marks 60%
Final Exams 40%
Total Course Marks = 100%

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Course Syllabus and Schedule UCC 103 Research and Writing January – April 2021 Trimester

COURSE SCHEDULE

Date Topic Outcome(s) Assigned Readings Student Activity

(Module/Unit) to meet (DQS/Compendiums/Assignments
)

Week 1 The #1,2 Murray, N., & Hughes, G. (2008). Ebook: Writing up ZOOM session 1
your university assignments and research projects.
19/01/2021 fundamentals of
ProQuest Ebook
academic Central https://ebookcentral.proquest.com Reading assignment (lecture notes
writing: What pp.3-4 and section of the text given)
are the key
Lecture notes
functions in
academic
writing?
Week 2 Features of # 1&2 Murray, N., & Hughes, G. (2008). Ebook: Writing up (DQ 1)
your university assignments and research projects.
26/01/2021 academic Explain three key elements of
ProQuest Ebook
writing: Central https://ebookcentral.proquest.com academic writing and show how
Defining terms pp.9-34 you would use each in an
and ideas; Lecture notes assignment
Describing;
Comparing and
contrasting;
Classifying;
Explaining
causes and
effects
Week 3 Finding a #2,4 & 5 Lecture notes Zoom session 2
02/02/2021 rhetorical The Handbook of Academic Writing
stance/

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Course Syllabus and Schedule UCC 103 Research and Writing January – April 2021 Trimester

Determine your https://www.pdfdrive.com/handbook-of-academic- Reading assignment (lecture notes

audience and writing-d18771907.html and section of the text given)
purpose of
writing
Critical reading
and thinking:
Reading for a
purpose, reading
and thinking
critically,
analyzing bias,
fallacies

Week 4 Developing an #3&5 Murray, N., & Hughes, G. (2008). Ebook: Writing up (WC 1)
argument your university assignments and research projects.
09/02/2021 ProQuest Ebook
Drafting; Central https://ebookcentral.proquest.com Explain any five qualities of an
Defining terms; effectively written academic work.
Supporting your pp. 36-44
claims; Lecture notes
Acknowledging
alternative
perspectives and
counterargument
s

Week 5 How should I #2 &4 Murray, N., & Hughes, G. (2008). Ebook: Writing up
your university assignments and research projects.
16/02/2021 structure my ZOOM session 3
ProQuest Ebook
writing? Central https://ebookcentral.proquest.com (DQ2)
Coherence: the pp. 45-56
flow of good Discuss five considerations that
Lecture notes writers should make while writing
writing

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Course Syllabus and Schedule UCC 103 Research and Writing January – April 2021 Trimester

on a research topic and explain

briefly why this is necessary
Week 6 The three main #2&5 Murray, N., & Hughes, G. (2008). Ebook: Writing up Assignment 1
parts of a your university assignments and research projects.
23/02/2021 ProQuest Ebook In about 300 words, write an
writing project: Central https://ebookcentral.proquest.com argument on the topic given guided
Citation, pp. 67-80 by the principles learned in this
referencing, and APA Manual (7th Edition) course
paraphrasing;
APA 7th Edition Lecture notes

Week 7 What do I need #1,2&5 Murray, N., & Hughes, G. (2008). Ebook: Writing up
your university assignments and research projects.
02/03/2021 to know about (ZOOM session 4)
ProQuest Ebook
writing style? ; Central https://ebookcentral.proquest.com (WC 2)
Writing clearly
pp. 85-97 Using appropriate illustrations,
and concisely;
Level of describe any five different sources
formality Lecture notes that a term paper writer may use
(register); Using during the writing process.
gender-neutral
language;
Reading other
research projects

Week 8 Approaching #2,4&5 Murray, N., & Hughes, G. (2008). Ebook: Writing up (DQ 3)
your university assignments and research projects.
09/03/2021 your writing Analyze the argument in the
ProQuest Ebook
project: tips and Central https://ebookcentral.proquest.com excerpt provided as per the
strategies; pp. 99-105 instructions given
Planning
Lecture notes
carefully;
Deciding on

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Course Syllabus and Schedule UCC 103 Research and Writing January – April 2021 Trimester

your writing
approach;
Sourcing and
selecting
information;
Recording
information/mak
ing notes
Week 9 Writing Style: #2,3&5 The Handbook of Academic Writing
Writing clearly https://www.pdfdrive.com/handbook-of-academic-
16/03/2021 (ZOOM session 5)
and concisely, writing-d18771907.html
DQ 4
Language use
(register, gender pp.175-178 Discuss any five advantages of
sensitive- information literacy and show how
neutral), such knowledge enables students to
adopting the Lecture notes write more effectively.
correct mindset,
Convincing your
reader,
beginning and
ending the paper
Week 10 Preparing a final #1-5 The Handbook of Academic Writing Assignment 2
document: https://www.pdfdrive.com/handbook-of-academic-
23/03/2021 Demonstrate the knowledge of
Peer reviewing, writing-d18771907.html APA citations and referencing
proofreading, pp.203- 210 through the specific task given
revising the Lecture notes
presentation of
findings

Week 11 Questions #1-5 Recap of the course Revision

30/03 2021 review Lecture notes

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Course Syllabus and Schedule UCC 103 Research and Writing January – April 2021 Trimester

05/04/2021 EXAMS
–
16/04/2021

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