Ateneo - UPO

English Language Practical classes Specialistica A (LM 37) aims at an in-depth analysis of the English Language, to stimulate the user’s awareness in written/oral interaction in the Humanities.
The focus will be placed on specialised lexis, morphosyntax, style, textual organisation, and discourse issues.

In addition, practical sessions will include theoretical elements of the communication theory and its application in the field of academic and professional writing.

COMPULSORY TEXTS (all the students) John M. SWALES & Christine FEAK. 2012 [e-book 2020]. Academic Writing for Graduate Students. Essential Tasks and Skills. 3rd Edition. University of Michigan Press ELT. [Michigan Series in English for Academic & Professional Purposes] Further materials will be provided to students during the year, and uploaded to the webpage DIR (Didattica in Rete). All materials are compulsory for the exam.

English Language Practical Classes Specialistica A (LM 37) is focussed on practical activities (written and oral) in the area of (inter-)disciplinary communication in the Humanities.

The general contents and specific topics, language skills and activities, the end-of-course examination, as well as the assessment criteria applied, refer to an advanced C1/C2 level of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference).

Language skills at an advanced level: min. B2+, but C1 is preferred (CEFR). Please check the prerequisites for admission to the MA Lingue, Culture, Turismo: https://disum.uniupo.it/en/university-studies/course/foreign-languages-cultures-tourism-double-degree-y-20262027

Practical activities for decoding (authentic materials/sources), encoding (teamwork and self-study), grammatical skills; oral interaction focussed on disciplinary issues in academic settings (Humanities). Self-study and activities previously introduced during practical classes. Self-study for grammatical revision.

Practical Classes will start in October 2026 and will end in June 2027. SYLLABUS VALID UNTIL: Winter Exam Session 2028 (January-February) Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

In-person WRITTEN EXAM (2hrs):ESSAY WRITING (450-500 words) + REFLECTIVE STATEMENT (200-250 words)Students will be asked to write a section of their article (e.g. introduction, or conclusions, or methods, etc.) based on their previous work and notes, without the use of the internet. They may bring their printed or handwritten notes to class.Application of moves from Swales and Feak, interaction with sources, synthesis skills, structure, etc.Alongside any written assignment, a short (200-250 word) reflective statement is required, addressing i. What they were trying to achieve with their structure and style and ii. Why they chose specific rhetorical or lexical moves.ASSESSMENT FOCUS:Metacognition and conscious application of writing strategies.Familiarity with content, originality, ability to explain academic writing choices.Your practical classes final mark is the average of all your grades: Article section written in class – 60%, reflective paragraph – 40%.With reference to the 'Intended learning objectives' (see below), the following grades correspond to different skills: 18-22/30-sufficient, 23-25/30-satisfying, 26-28/30 good, 29-30 lode-very good. Students are due to sit both their written and their oral exams in the same exam session (appello). Please check the DIR page of the course for article submission deadlines and evaluation criteria.

User’s awareness in interdisciplinary written/oral interaction in the HumanitiesLexis: specialised terminology in academic setting and disciplinary usage vs. everyday communication and general vocabulary.Morphosyntax: embedded phrases and phrase structure, adverbs and adverbials, text and discourse functions of modality/modals, subordination and logical functions.Style: the role of patterning and recursive structures in academic writing; formulaic language and (inter)disciplinary conventions.Text structure and discourse issues: paragraphs and sections in argumentative essays.Academic and professional writing: introducing and providing evidence, describing processes/procedures, argumentation and data interpretation.

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING Students will be able to organise their research project/in-depth analysis in a specific field of knowledge/on a specific topic, starting from outlines, suggestions, and selected sources. APPLIED KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING Students will also be able to select the most appropriate register/style in relation to the topic/s and the target audience. Linguistic knowledge and language understanding will be used at a practical level, and applied to the many disciplinary research and professional contexts.