The AG Introduction to Academic Writing will focus on academic writing in various disciplines and provides excellent preparation for students intending to start their bachelor's thesis in the current or following semester. Students will be encouraged to critically engage with original research and recognize quality criteria for academic texts. Moreover, students will be introduced to the importance of good academic practice and the consequences of academic fraud within and outside of WU.

In the course of five interactive sessions, the following subjects are covered:

• Literature search and reference management
• Academic texts and academic writing
• Different types of academic writing
• Good Academic Practice and Plagiarism
• Knowledge Management and successful thesis writing

Adopting a broad perspective, we will analyse academic texts and discuss good academic practice in different disciplines.

After the course students will be able to

• select relevant sources to use in their thesis
• apply different reading strategies (i.e. scanning, skimming, goal-directed reading, etc.).
• summarize and synthesize research outcomes using their own words
• choose and integrate citations appropriately
• know different reference systems and apply them appropriately
• write critical comments, relying on substantive arguments, sound argumentation and relevant examples
• recognize plagiarism and know how to avoid it in their own work

The course will be graded on a pass/fail basis. In order to pass, students need to participate actively throughout the course and assignments have to be handed in on time. Additionally, students have to submit at least two out of three homework assignments:

• Formulating a research question
• Compiling an annotated bibliography
• Writing a short summary of academic sources

This course is for students intending to write their bachelor's thesis in the current or following semester.

During the registration period, free places are filled according to the “first-come, first-served” principle. After the end of the registration period, the number of places is increased and students on the waiting list will be registered for the lecture based on their progress in their studies.

If you are registered for the course but cannot participate, please de-register promptly during the registration period in LPIS, so your place becomes available for other students.