SDP406 Academic writing and publishing
Credits (ECTS):5
Course responsible:Timothy Kevin Richardson
Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås
Teaching language:Engelsk
Limits of class size:Maximum 14
Course frequency:Annually in January block or spring semester
Nominal workload: Five full days of workshops including lectures, seminars, group and individual work (30 hours). One tutorial (1-2 hours). In addition, 94 hrs of preparation, reading and independent work, including course assignments. Indicative programme: Requirements before the course: 1. Participants must submit a draft of an article, book or thesis chapter they would like to work on during the course period. The text should be intended to be part of the PhD thesis. The draft should be accompanied by an abstract, and a short statement about the stage the writing has reached, together with details of the name and website for the target journal. The draft paper must be submitted in Canvas one week before the course. It is emphasised that this text can be at any stage of preparation, from earliest drafts to those in the editorial process with academic journals. We will focus on the texts in different ways during the course, analysing, giving feedback, and carrying out exercises to improve them. Note on language: It is preferred that an English language text is submitted, but if this is not possible then a text in Norwegian can be used as the basis for the course activities. Please contact the course leader, Tim Richardson, if you wish to do this. 2. Preparatory reading: Participants should read all the abstracts submitted for the course. Some background reading is also required, as identified in the course reading list. 3. Participants will be allocated papers to analyse and give feedback to fellow participants, as critical friends. Main course block Day 1 Introduction: ourselves as writers Barriers to writing and good writing practices Principles of critical reading and self-critical writing Writing strategies Being supervised writing Day 2 Analysing texts Giving feedback as critical friends Writing with style Day 3 Editing text Preparing papers for submission Day 4 What do the editors expect? How do reviewers review? The peer-review system Experiences of submitting papers to academic journals Course reflections Follow up work After the first course block, participants are expected to carry out further work developing their paper, and will complete a writing diary during this period, to encourage reflection on their writing experience. Redrafted papers and writing diaries are submitted before the final session. Follow up course block: Day 5 Feedback session, to review progress on the papers and discuss reflections on academic writing.
Teaching and exam period:In 2025, the course will run as a three day teaching block 10-12 February and a two day teaching block 10-11 March. The course assessment will be submitted on 25 April.
About this course
Intended audience:
This course is primarily targeted at early stage PhD candidates at LANDSAM, who intend to either publish in peer-reviewed academic journals as part of their PhD, or write a monograph thesis. The course is suitable for those who are at an advanced stage of drafting a paper or thesis chapter, but also those at the earliest stages of writing for their thesis.
Course description:
With a point of departure in a current writing project, the course examines the most challenging aspects of scholarly writing and publishing. The personal and contextual aspects of becoming an academic writer are considered, and effective writing strategies and practices are addressed, including making the best use of supervision. Basic principles for critical reading and self-critical writing are introduced. The course uses exercises, presentations, and critical feedback to analyse, discuss, and work to improve the participant´s texts. Processes of academic publishing are introduced, and academics will present and discuss their experiences of submitting papers to journals within the peer-review system. The course is delivered in two blocks, allowing an opportunity for reflection and feedback on further drafts of the papers.
Learning outcome
Participants will develop their competences in academic writing and publishing. They will better understand the nature and challenges of academic writing, and be able to:
- critically assess the merits of academic texts
- apply principles of self-critical writing
- develop effective writing practices
- navigate the challenges of the peer-review system
- identify and manage ethical challenges arising in academic writing
Learning activities
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