1. Introductory reflections on academic research:
   Including amongst othertopics; the key differences between every- day and scientific language, a summary of specific theoretical positions/ societal dimensions of science.
   
   
2. The construction of a research project:
   Including amongst other topics; the development of the bachelor thesis: typologies of final projects, the steps fromresearch idea (from broad themes) to the research question (the research proposal),the development of the project, the basic requirements of the bachelor thesis.
   Organising your research:including; literature research, analysing and applying the literature,citation, time management.
   
   
3. Academic writing:
   Including amongst other topics;the visualisation of complex content, composing specialist text, overcoming writer´s block, the progression from first draft to final version.

The aim of the course is, for students to become familiar with and to reflect on the general demands of academic writing.The course also aims to introduce students to the various approaches and techniques in academic writing required during the preparation and completion of the bachelor thesis.

After completion of the course, students will be equipped with tools to plan and produce a piece of academic writing. Students should also develop awareness of the supervisor´s expectations and be able to incorporate discipline specific knowledge into their writing, in order to successfully progress a bachelor thesis, or other research project from draft phase to completion.

Specifically you should be able to:

• Differentiate between various types of academic writing
• See academic writing as beingembedded in a number of various theoretical perspectives and societal dimensions
• Set specific steps for the development of research topic selection and the development of research questions
• Understand the content and structure of the research proposal
• Successfully complete a search of the literature, critically evaluate sources and correctly cite them in your own work
• Identify the stylistic and linguistic requirements of academic writing and be able to implement these in practice.

During the course, central themes surrounding academic writing will be presented and discussed with students.These themes will be explored in more depth through real life examples, which will partly be prepared in group work and / or homework assignments.

In this course, students will be evaluated through a process of ongoing assessment. Overall grading is comprised of the following individual components: Activeclass participation (20%), and the quality of two written assignments (1 x 30% and 1 x 50%). As active participation forms such key aspect of this course, absence will impact negatively on the grade. The course cannot be successfully completed if more than 25% of class time is missed.

Please note that although this course is mainly taught in English, you can submit assessments in EITHER IN ENGLISH OR GERMAN. Your choice of language will have NO impact on the final grade.

• Registration via www.
• Maximum 30 students
• All students must attend the first session

Essential reading:

Information regarding the essential reading for this course will be provided separately. Information regarding suitable German literature for the course will also be provided during the first session.