Post-Graduate Examination in Foreign Language
Study Course Implementer
Riga, 16 Dzirciema Street, dn@rsu.lv, +371 67409120
About Study Course
Objective
To identify oral and written scientific foreign language skills and to assess foreign language knowledge for research purposes in the field of health and social sciences according to the aspects of text production, grammar, linguostructural, terminological.
Preliminary Knowledge
Knowledge of foreign language [English] (B2-C1 levels according to CEFR – the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.The doctoral student knows and defines the linguistic peculiarities of the language of science (terminology, special-purpose vocabulary, grammar, text formation, pronunciation), is able to list which language means to use to create an adequate written and oral text in a foreign language that corresponds to international scientific communication in the field of health or social sciences.
Skills
1.Doctoral students will be able to write and construct a grammatical and stylistically adequate scientific text, they will be capable to improve the quality of the written text with the help of analogous and digital language resources. The doctoral student will be capable to use topical terms of the discipline, they will be able to explain them in the foreign language; besides, they will be able to explain the choice of the topic, to characterise the content, the process of the study, hypothesis, aim and objectives, and main conclusions in the foreign language. In line with the pragmatic goal of the study and the informative genre of the scientific text, doctoral students will be able to present a coherent, logically structured written text. Doctoral students are capable to give an oral presentation about their studies to the target audience with the usage of adequate linguistic and textual means. Doctoral students are capable to structure an oral speech according to the principles of scientific communication in the foreign language in order to be able to participate with written texts and oral presentations actively and confidently in international research by following the principles of scientific and linguistic cultures, and academic ethics.
Competences
1.Doctoral students will evaluate the scope and diversity of language resources, and they will critically select grammatical, phonetic the resources for the production of the content and text in written and oral scientific discourse thus constantly improving their linguistic competence for the communication of science internationally. Doctoral students will integrate linguistic skills and knowledge in their professional research activities by solving relevant tasks (the preparation of international publications, presentations in seminars and lectures internationally) in their careers as researchers with a vision and aim to foster high level linguistic competence in the global intercultural network of research communication.
Assessment
Individual work
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Title
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% from total grade
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Grade
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1.
Individual work |
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On attending the examination the doctoral student has to present the Individual study of Topics 1-7 in accordance with the course description. Preparation and formatting of the written overview and bibliography in the foreign language. Preparation of the glossary of terms and their explanations, definitions. Preparation of the list of theses. Preparation of the oral monologue on the study undertaken by the doctoral student (with the help of PowerPoint or any other digital Office tool). he student's contribution to the improvement of the study process is the provision of meaningful feedback on the study course by filling out its evaluation questionnaire.
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Examination
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Title
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% from total grade
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Grade
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|---|---|---|
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1.
Examination |
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10 points
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The exam consists of two parts. Written part: The course lecturer assesses the doctoral student’s written assignment according to the requirements of the study course description. The doctoral student submits the prepared written assignment to the course lecturer electronically at least five working days before the exam. Oral part of the exam: In person, the doctoral student presents his/her prepared topic in a foreign language, answers questions from the members of the commission, engages in a discussion in a foreign language about the submitted written assignment and presentation. Written part of the exam (60%): 1. The linguistic (grammatical, syntactic, stylistic, lexical) and textual (formatting) quality of the review, list of references, glossary of terms and their explanations, and theses according to the specifics of the foreign language of science, assessing 1) grammar, 2) formatting, 3) choice of lexical means, 4) text production, 5) scientific style. Oral part of the exam (40%): 2. The linguistic and textual quality of the oral monologue, assessing 1) grammar, 2) quality of language in visual aids, 3) pronunciation, 4) text production, 5) oral scientific style, 6) answers to questions. |
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Study Course Theme Plan
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Unaided Work
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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On site
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E-Studies platform
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2
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Topics
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Macrostructural elements of written and oral scientific text, and the peculiarities of macrostructural elements.
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Health sciences or social sciences vocabulary and terminology in a foreign language.
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System of concepts in health sciences or social sciences in a foreign language.
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Linguistic means of the analysis and the evaluation.
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Linguistic functions of textualization for research.
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Grammatical peculiarities of the foreign language for research purposes.
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Style of scientific language.
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Bibliography
Required Reading
Staines, M. Gail. (2019). Social Sciences Research: Research, Writing, and Presentation Strategies. (3rd ed.) Rowman&Littlefield Publishers.Suitable for English stream
Bailey, Stephen. (2017). Academic Writing. (5th ed.) A Handbook for International Students. Routledge.Suitable for English stream
Cranker, Kenneth. (2018). Practical English Grammar for Academic Writers. Wayzgoose Press.Suitable for English stream
Additional Reading
Swetnam, Derek. (2015). Writing Your Dissertation: The Bestselling Guide to Planning, Preparing and Presenting First-Class Work. (3rd ed.) Glasgow: Robinson.Suitable for English stream
English C1 Advanced Vocabulary. (2020). Complete Revised Edition: Words You Should Know to Pass All C1 Advanced English Level Tests and Exams. CEP Publishing.Suitable for English stream
Farneste, Monta. (2012). The Academic Essay as a Basis for Research Paper Writing. Rīga: Akadēmiskais apgāds.Suitable for English stream
Osmond, Alex. (2016). Academic Writing and Grammar for Students. (2nd ed.) SAGE Publications.Suitable for English stream
Turabian, L. A. Kate. (2018). A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations: Chicago Style for Students and Researchers. (9th ed.) Chicago, London: The University of Chicago Press.Suitable for English stream
Other Information Sources
Elwell, W. Frank. (2010). Glossary of the Social Sciences. Rogers State University.Suitable for English stream