2019-2020 / LMOD0001-1

Practicing English argumentation

Duration

30h Pr

Number of credits

 Master in multilingual communication (120 ECTS)5 crédits 

Lecturer

Marie Herbillon

Language(s) of instruction

English language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

After an introduction to argumentative theory, students will learn the most effective ways to get their message across in English.
Particular attention will be paid to improving writing and presentation skills in an academic context.
Students will learn how to develop their own pre-writing method, how to improve their reasoning skills (when writing essays and giving presentations), how to proofread, revise, and edit drafts to get rid of structural problems and correct common errors in writing. 

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

By the end of this course, students will be able to:


identify the main types of argumentation, arguments, argumentative movements and  markers;
structure texts and presentations in academic and professional contexts;
operationalise new vocabulary, linking words, etc.;
develop their pre-writing methods and know how to edit drafts efficiently;
master techniques for effective quoting and referencing;
summarise and hierarchise information in a text;
present their own work in a logical, audience-friendly manner.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Very good knowledge of English.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Interactive seminars.

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

face-to-face

Recommended or required readings

Powerpoint presentations will be sent by email after class.

Assessment methods and criteria

Written exam (Part 1: theoretical questions; Part 2: 500-to-750-word essay on a topic selected from a limited list);
Oral exam (5-10 mn presentation based on a 750-to-1000-word essay, handed in beforehand on a freely selected topic; no learning by heart).

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

This course is taught in English (Thursday 2-4pm, Q2).

Contacts

Marie Herbillon, chargée de cours
Marie.Herbillon@uliege.be

Département de Langues modernes: linguistique, littérature et traduction
Rue de Pitteurs 20 (L3 building, ground floor)

Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the May-June 2020 session

Teaching methods implemented : distance-learning

PowerPoint presentations covering the course's distinct chapters (and pertaining, for instance, to (a) theoretical aspects that aim at helping students to identify and use various types of arguments, argumentative movements or argumentative markers or (b) guidelines indicating how to produce argumentative essays) have been made available to students.
The latter have also been invited to develop their written argumentative skills on a series of topics. They have then been provided with individualised feedback (including, if necessary, additional writing exercises).

Assessment subjects

Rereading the aforementioned PowerPoint presentations is recommended, with a particular focus on (a) the material that was actually addressed in class and (b) the guidelines expounding how to produce argumentative texts. 

Assessment methods

Written e-exam (500-to-750-word essay on a topic selected from a limited list; no separate theoretical part but students may be asked to incorporate given argumentative / rhetorical strategies into the body of their text);
Written work (750-to-1000-word essay, handed in beforehand on a freely selected topic; this work is meant as a replacement for the oral exam that had originally been planned).

Contacts

Marie Herbillon, chargée de cours
Marie.Herbillon@uliege.be
Département de Langues modernes: linguistique, littérature et traduction

Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the Aug-Sept 2020 session

Assessment subjects

Rereading the aforementioned PowerPoint presentations (see Teaching methods) is recommended, with a particular focus on (a) the material that was actually addressed in class and (b) the guidelines expounding how to produce argumentative texts. 

Assessment methods

Written e-exam (500-to-750-word essay on a topic selected from a limited list, which will be emailed to students; no separate theoretical part but students may be asked to incorporate given argumentative / rhetorical strategies into the body of their text);
Written work (750-to-1000-word essay, handed in beforehand on a freely selected topic; this work is meant as a replacement for the oral exam that had originally been planned).

Contacts

Marie Herbillon, chargée de cours
Marie.Herbillon@uliege.be
Département de Langues modernes: linguistique, littérature et traduction