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PDA183 Academic reading in education, 15 credits

Vetenskaplig läsning av utbildningsvetenskapliga texter, 15 högskolepoäng

Second Cycle

 

Confirmation

This course syllabus was confirmed by Department of Education and Special Education on 2011-03-09 and was last revised on 2020-06-24 to be valid from 2020-08-31, autumn semester of 2020.

Field of education: Social Sciences 100%
Department: Department of Education and Special Education

Position in the educational system

The course can be part of the following programme: 1) International Master's Programme in Educational Research (L2EUR)

Main field of studies:  Education and Didactics
Specialization:  A1F, Second cycle, has second-cycle course/s as entry requirements

Entry requirements

To be eligible for this course students need at to have passed the first year courses:

PDA085, Introduction to International Master in Educational Research, PDA180, Research environment – optional course I or PDA084, Qualitative approaches to educational research, PDA086 Research methodology, inquiry and data analysis or PDA186, Design, measurement and analysis in educational research and PDA181, Introduction to a research environment - optional course II or PDA185, Introduction to educational research practice. 

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding
  • identify the academic contribution in various genres of texts and recognise the author’s purpose and possible bias as well as identify and challenge questionable assumptions and unsupported claims;
  • identify significant gaps in the literature as well as suggestions for alternative research approaches and theories, including an awareness of their socio- environmental contexts and implications;

Competence and skills

  • analyse different research papers, local and global, with particular emphasis on the structure and effectiveness of rhetorical components such as argument, counter argument, and effectiveness, etc;
  • identify the strengths and weaknesses of different methodologies and research traditions employed in the literature;

Judgement and approach

  • independently analyse the literature from a critical reading perspective, which includes a conscious framing of socio-environmental contexts and their implications for educational research.

Course content

The course is divided into two parts. The first part, Text analysis consists of text analysis focused on the evaluation of rhetorical devices employed in various texts and research articles. The second part consists of a self-directed systematic literature review that focuses on the topic chosen for the Master thesis in education that is to be undertaken in course PDA184. Students are encouraged to employ the text analysis and evaluation skills they are developing during the Text analysis part, as well as the writing skills that are targeted in course PDA182, to successfully complete the Literature review part of the course.

Form of teaching

Part one of the course (Text analysis) is taught in a combination of lectures and workshops. Part two of the course (Literature review) is undertaking as self-study project under group supervision of course tutors.

Language of instruction: English.

Assessment

Learning is assessed through the following assignments:

Part I (text analysis 7,5 credits)

  1. Reflective notes.

  2. Leading a seminar discussion. Nb: If the opportunity to lead a seminar discusion is

    missed, one other opportunity (plus a maximum of two resits where needed) will be

    offered.

  3. A course paper.

Part II (literature review 7,5 credits)

  1. A literature review. In this text, the student will demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge and skills gained in both Parts 1 and 2 of the course.

A student who has taken two exams in a course or part of a course without obtaining a pass grade is entitled to the nomination of another examiner. The student needs to contact the department for a new examiner, preferably in writing, and this should be approved by the department unless there are special reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 of the Higher Education Ordinance).

If a student has received a recommendation from the University of Gothenburg for special educational support, where it is compatible with the learning outcomes of the course and provided that no unreasonable resources are required, the examiner may decide to allow the student to sit an adjusted exam or alternative form of assessment.

In the event that a course has ceased or undergone major changes, students are to be guaranteed at least three examination sessions (including the ordinary examination session) over a period of at least one year, but no more than two years, after the course has ceased/been changed.

Grades

The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U).
For the grade Pass, both course elements must be graded at least Pass. For the grade Pass with Distinction, both the first part (Text analysis) and the second part (Literature review) of the course must be graded Pass with Distinction. Each part contributes 7,5 credits to the final grade, but both parts need to be completed to pass the course.

Course evaluation

Course evaluation is done in relation to the course learning outcomes and content and is done continuously during the course in the form of an individual network survey at the end of the course. The result and any changes in the course structure will be communicated to both the students who completed the evaluation and to the students who will begin the course.

Additional information

The course uses the University of Gothenburg’s management learning system for different forms of digital communication. Access to a computer and the Internet is therefore required.

 

Course summary:

Course Summary
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