This course is part of the Academic Skills for University Success Specialization

Katherine Olston +1 more instructor

Offered By

Academic Skills for University Success SpecializationThe University of Sydney

About this Course

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This Specialization is aimed at preparing students for undergraduate study in an English-speaking university. The course equips you for full participation and engagement with your studies by building awareness and understanding of the core values and expectations of academic culture, and providing you with practical strategies to apply to your studies. In this course, you will learn how to develop your Communication Skills to help you achieve success in your university studies. After completing this course, you will be able to:
Recognise the importance of communication in communities of practice at university
Understand contexts of communication at university and associated expectations
Communicate clearly across a variety of different contexts and to a wide range of audiences by adapting communicative styles appropriately
Demonstrate, negotiate, and further understanding through spoken, written, visual, and conversational modes
Effectively formulate arguments and communicate research findings through the process of researching, composing, and editing
Confidently engage in constructive and critical dialogue with respect and professionalism

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

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Course 4 of 5 in the

Academic Skills for University Success Specialization

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 27 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: English

Instructors

Instructor rating

4.65/5 (50 Ratings)

Katherine Olston

Deputy Director (Digital Learning)

University of Sydney Centre for English Teaching

69,899 Learners

5 Courses

Lydia Dutcher

Education Manager, Graduate Programs

Centre for English Teaching

39,090 Learners

3 Courses

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Course 4 of 5 in the

Academic Skills for University Success Specialization

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 27 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: English

Offered by

The University of Sydney

Our excellence in research and teaching makes the University of Sydney one of the top universities in Australia and highly ranked among the best universities in the world. In 2020, we were ranked second in the Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings, and first in Australia in the QS Graduate Employability Rankings.

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating97%(2,309 ratings)

Week

Week 1

5 hours to complete

Introduction to Communication in Academic Culture

5 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 58 min), 7 readings, 6 quizzes

7 videos

Welcome to the Academic Skills for University Success Specialization!1m

1.1a Introduction to the Course4m

1.2a Introduction to Academic Culture10m

1.2b Introduction to Communication14m

1.3a Survival Skills for University8m

1.3b Resilience & Motivation for University8m

1.4a Academic Integrity10m

7 readings

Communication Weekly Topics & Learning Outcomes10m

Communication Assessment Overview10m

Summative Peer Assessment10m

Learning Outcomes2m

6 practice exercises

1.1 Practice Quiz30m

1.2 Practice Quiz30m

1.3 Practice Quiz30m

1.4 Practice Quiz30m

Summative Quiz - Module 130m

Discussion Board Self Assessment - Module 130m

Week

Week 2

5 hours to complete

Participating in University Discussion Contexts

5 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 75 min), 4 readings, 6 quizzes

8 videos

2.1a Introduction to rhetorical situations8m

2.1b Rhetorical situations at university12m

2.1c University course outlines & contexts of communication6m

2.2a Making the Most of Participation in University Contexts6m

2.2b Participation & Communication at University12m

2.3a Participating in Lectures & Tutorials10m

2.3b Participating in Online Forums7m

2.4a Participating in Group Work9m

4 readings

Learning Outcomes2m

6 practice exercises

2.1 Practice Quiz30m

2.2 Practice Quiz30m

2.3 Practice Quiz30m

2.4 Practice Quiz30m

Summative Quiz - Module 220m

Discussion Board Self Assessment - Module 230m

Week

Week 3

5 hours to complete

Interpreting, Researching & Planning Written Assignments

5 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 75 min), 7 readings, 6 quizzes

8 videos

3.1a Introduction to Understanding, Researching, and Planning Written Assignments13m

3.2a Part 1: Understanding Essay Assignments9m

3.2a Part 2: Interpreting Essay Questions10m

3.2b Understanding and Interpreting Reports & Proposals10m

3.3a Conducting Research for Essays7m

3.3b Conducting Research for Reports & Proposals4m

3.4a Planning Essays9m

3.4b Planning Reports & Proposals9m

7 readings

Learning Outcomes2m

3.2c Understanding the question10m

Learning Outcomes2m

3.4c Basic Essay Structures10m

3.4d Professional Report Structures10m

6 practice exercises

3.1 Practice Quiz30m

3.2 Practice Quiz30m

3.3 Practice Quiz30m

3.4 Practice Quiz30m

Summative Quiz - Module 320m

Discussion Board Self Assessment - Module 330m

Week

Week 4

5 hours to complete

Writing Effective & Concise Written Assignments

5 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 82 min), 8 readings, 6 quizzes

9 videos

4.1a Introduction to Drafting, Refining, and Incorporating Visual Aids in Written Assignments6m

4.2a Drafting Essays10m

4.2b Drafting Reports & Proposals7m

4.2c Coherence & Cohesion for Essays & Reports11m

4.3a Polishing & Refining Essays14m

4.3b Polishing & Refining Reports & Proposals8m

4.3c Incorporating Visual Aids in Written Assignments7m

4.3d Editing for Language11m

4.4a Formatting and Proofreading Written Assignments for Submission5m

8 readings

Learning Outcomes2m

4.2d Paragraph structure10m

4.2e Reporting Verbs10m

4.2f Overcoming Writer's Block10m

Learning Outcomes2m

4.4b Written Assignment Checklist10m

6 practice exercises

4.1 Practice Quiz30m

4.2 Practice Quiz30m

4.3 Practice Quiz30m

4.4 Practice Quiz30m

Summative Quiz - Module 420m

Discussion Board Self Assessment - Module 430m

About the Academic Skills for University Success Specialization

Develop skills in information & digital literacy, problem-solving, critical thinking and communication.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes, Coursera provides financial aid to learners who cannot afford the fee. Apply for it by clicking on the Financial Aid link beneath the "Enroll" button on the left. You'll be prompted to complete an application and will be notified if you are approved. You'll need to complete this step for each course in the Specialization, including the Capstone Project. Learn more.
Will I earn university credit for completing the Course?
This Course doesn't carry university credit, but some universities may choose to accept Course Certificates for credit. Check with your institution to learn more. Online Degrees and Mastertrack™ Certificates on Coursera provide the opportunity to earn university credit.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

Communication Skills for University Success