Teaching Development Grants
    Completed TDG Projects

    Language issues

    English in the Discipline for the Faculty of Social Sciences: Extending Choice and Flexibility in Learning

    Abstract

    This CAES project aimed to develop three six-credit English-in-the Discipline (ED) courses for the Faculty of Social Sciences: Writing Psychology: Text and Context, Language and Style of Narrative Journalism and Dissertation Writing in the Social Sciences to help Social Sciences students improve their written literacy in specific academic genres.  Course development included analysis of student needs and text types, student interviews and discussions with faculty members. 

    The genre-based approach allows for similarities to be explored and offers flexibility in students’ choice of their specific focus of learning. In Writing Psychology: Text and Context students examine three key genres in psychology writing and identify language aspects of the selected genre through collaborative teamwork. One major component of the Narrative Journalism course requires students to select a story and present their analysis of its language features. Dissertation Writing in the Social Sciences addresses language challenges faced by students who intend to write a dissertation in their final year.

    To facilitate collaboration among students from different disciplinary majors within the Faculty these courses draw on social issues and also provide students with a platform to engage in different forms of oral practice.

    Principal Investigator

    Ms. A.M. Storey, Centre for Applied English Studies, Faculty of Arts

    Project level

    University-level project

    Project Completion

    June 2012

    Deliverables (HKU Portal Login Required)

    • Course level descriptors – CAES2915 Dissertation Writing in the Social SciencesDownload
    • Task Examples
      • Writing Psychology: Text and ContextDownload
      • Language and Style in Narrative JournalismDownload
      • Dissertation writing in Social SciencesDownload
    • Conference Presentations
      • Law, E. & Lee, J.C.Y. (2011, June). Developing autonomous writers in a report writing course. Paper presented at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University Symposium on ‘Developing students as readers and writers in the 4-year curriculum: The role of the English Language Centres, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.Download
      • Storey, A.M., & Lee, J.C.Y. (2010, December). From writing outside to writing in the disciplines: A case-based approach to developing ‘Writing reports and proposals’ in Social Sciences. Paper presented at the Enhancing Learning Experiences in Higher Education: International Conference, The University of Hong Kong.Download
      • Storey, A. & Ng, J.Y.F. (2012, June). Zooming in on narrative journalism with a narrative lens. Academic English Symposium 2012: Research into Practice in the Four-Year Curriculum. Centre for Applied English Studies. The University of Hong Kong.Download
      • Hui-Bon-Hoa, M., & Wong, P.M.T. (2010, December). English in the Major: New initiatives. Paper presented at the Enhancing Learning Experiences in Higher Education: International Conference, The University of Hong Kong.Download
    • Faculty Presentation: Storey, A.M., with Wong, P.M.T. & Lee, J.C.Y. (February 2011). English in the Discipline for the Faculty of Social Sciences.Download
    • Moodle platform for independent learning activities (web link to be provided).