Main Course Outline

WEEK Semester 1.1 -- Lesson focus: Introducing & Developing academic skills

5-16 Aug Orientation & Lectures only

Introductions – getting to know you / outlining the course.

Wk 1
19-23 Aug Introduction to group discussion (theme of cultural difference & adjustment.)
Introduction to guided note-taking (from listening & reading sources).

Developing group discussion skills (asking questions; responding – expressing

Wk 2 opinions; agreeing/disagreeing. Theme: Understanding cultural differences (Hofstede)
26-30 Aug Developing note-taking skills (from listening & reading sources).
Introduction to structured paragraph writing - summaries

Intro to structured Paragraph Writing – expressing opinions (Theme: How cultural

difference influences academic expectations)
Wk 3 Reading & group discussion activities – reading for main ideas, opinions & support
2-6 Sep Development/application of Cornell note-taking skills from listening & reading texts.
Understanding the concept of academic integrity
Synthesising information to support a viewpoint in a written text (paragraph)

Developing synthesised paragraphs – incorporating sources to support a

Wk 4 viewpoint.
9-13 Sep Ongoing listening & reading skill development + note-taking – identifying key ideas &
supporting details.
SUN 15 SEP - Submit Assessment Task 1: Synthesised paragraph writing

Wk 5 Developing discussion skills – expressing a viewpoint, challenging, contradicting &

16-20 Sep clarifying, practicing for Integrated group discussion assessment

Wk 6 Assessment Task 2: Integrated group discussion

23-27 Sep
Friday Public Holiday – Grand Final Day

30 Sep –
4 Oct Non-teaching period

Introducing essay writing:

Wk 7 Analysing the task: group discussion & brainstorming.
7-11 Oct Refining note-taking skills to focus on relevant information: Listening for main ideas &
supporting detail;
Developing Reading skills: effective reading techniques; reading to identify key ideas.
Introduction to academic research skills– initial appraisal of source material;
understanding how to read academic texts.
Understanding essay structure – identifying the key parts of an essay

Wk 8 Developing research & text evaluation skills: adopting a critical approach to academic
14-18 Oct reading (evaluating source content)
Understanding the key features of academic register (writing)
Understanding academic integrity – How to avoid plagiarism.
Listening & note-taking – identifying key ideas and supporting information
WEEK Semester 1.2 -- Lesson focus: Developing academic skills

Understanding academic conventions: Avoiding plagiarism (indirect quotation –

Wk 9 incorporating quotes, paraphrasing, referencing).
21-25 Oct Developing academic writing skills:
a) Understanding the research process – gathering ideas; reading & note-taking

Developing academic writing skills:

Wk 10 a) Essay planning - “grouping” and organising ideas
28 Oct – 1 b) Developing paragraph writing skills: extending support & connecting ideas; synthesis;
Nov c) Review paraphrasing, summarizing, quoting & using-text references;

Wk 11 Monday – Tuesday no classes: Public Holiday – Melbourne Cup

4-8 Nov
Developing academic writing skills:
a) Writing Introductions
b) Writing conclusions
c) Bibliographic reference lists.
FRI 8 NOV - Submit Assessment 3 – Part 1: Detailed outline of individual essay

Developing academic writing skills:

Wk 12 Reviewing and evaluating written work – peer review & self-reflection
11-15 Nov Introducing the Oral Presentation: Group discussion activities/brainstorming –
connecting the essay to the oral task.

Wk 13 Understanding the key features of oral presentations;

18-22 Nov Team skilling: collaborating to reach consensus, planning ideas, organising information.
Developing visual aids.

Using and explaining/describing graphical/visual support

Wk 14
Delivering information in an oral presentation: body language, vocalics.
25-29 Nov Groupwork/review; working as a team, preparing for oral presentations.

Wk 15
Assessment 4 – Oral Presentation Task - Delivering group oral presentations
2-6 Dec FRI 6 DEC - Submit Assessment 3 – Part 2: Final Version of individual essay.

Last day of classes Tuesday 10 December

9-13 Dec

SWOTVAC

Semester 1 Examinations
16-20 Dec

Non-teaching period
23 Dec – 2
Jan