Research Methodologies and Academic Writing - 1st semester
Code
722160100
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas
Department
Línguas, Culturas e Literaturas Modernas
Credits
10
Teacher in charge
Fernando Clara, Karen Bennett
Weekly hours
3 letivas + 1 tutorial
Teaching language
Portuguese
Objectives
The main aim of this curricular unit is to develop the students´ abilities to produce autonomous research in the area of the humanities. Thus, it involves:
a) Understanding the basic norms governing the collection and processing of data in the humanities, and mastering the use of tools available for the task
b) Knowing how to structure and write academic texts of various genres (eg. abstracts, articles, dissertations and oral papers)
c) Developing the oral skills necessary for participation in academic debates (in Portuguese and English)
d) Reflecting critically about the process of knowledge production with attention to the intercultural dynamics in operation in the globalized world
Prerequisites
-
Subject matter
A. 1. introduction to humanities research: publishers and the publication process; peer review; libraries and digital repositories; indexes and catalogues; digital databases
2. tools: virtualization, portablity and interoperability
3. software for the collection and processing of bibliographic references [Zotero]
4. text processing: formatting, norms, styles, structure, automatic features
5. preparation of a specialized thematic bibliography
B.1. analysis of the structure of academic texts (textual organization, register, cohesion, coherence, etc)
2. planning and writing of academic texts of different genres (abstracts, artigles, sections of the dissertation)
3. preparation and delivery of oral presentations
4. techniques for academic debate
5. critical reflection about the process of knowledge production in the globalized world
Bibliography
Bennett, K. 2011. Academic Writing in Portugal I: Discourses in Conflict, Coimbra: Coimbra University Press.
Bennett, K. Forthcoming. Academic Writing in English (for Portuguese Researchers): an Introduction. Coimbra: CINEP
Griffin, G. (ed.) 2013. Research Methods for English Studies. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press
Pickering, M. (ed.) 2008. Research Methods for Cultural Studies. Edinburgh: University of Edinburgh Press.
Schmidt, R., Giordano, E & Schmidt, G. 2015. A Guided Inquiry Approach to Teaching the Humanities Research Project. California: ABC-CLIO
Teaching method
The methods are student-centred, and take the form of practical workshops designed to develop the various skills listed above.
In class teaching
Evaluation method
1) Continuous assessment (50%): classroom participation, motivation and performance, progress made
2) Written text (50%): production of a short academic article on a subject of the student´s choice