Module: Advanced Academic Writing in the Humanities

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Advanced Academic Writing in the Humanities
Module Code	HUM1020 (ITS: TP600)
Faculty	Theology, Philosophy & Music	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module engages postgraduate research students in approaches to advanced academic writing in the Humanities. It includes critical structural analysis of existing texts, interpretative writing, descriptive writing in the context of texts, music, visuals, film etc. Mirroring a peer review system it takes into consideration audience, argument and voice in academic writing and examines the role and function of academic writing conventions.

Learning Outcomes

1. Write research texts clearly and authoritatively with a strong awareness of scholarly conventions
2. Revise and copy edit a document using publishing conventions
3. Understand the role of audience, argument and voice in writing and apply this to their own academic writing
4. Critically evaluate academic writing
5. Master an appropriate language to effectively discuss an artefact or phenomena under study.
6. Draw on a range of techniques to write interpretative texts

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Workshop	12	Workshops on academic writing
Independent Study	72	No Description
Assignment Completion	20	Completion of writing assignments
Group work	15	Peer-review of group members writing
Assessment Feedback	6	No Description
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	21016	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	PASS/FAIL	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Bláithin Duggan	Module Teacher	Alessio Cornia, Ellen Howley, James Shanahan, Jim Rogers, Patricia Flynn

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Portfolio	5 disciplinary specific writing exercises/samples drawn from (1) analysis of writing [300-500words] (2) revision and copy editing (3) argumentative writing [c.1,500 words] (4) descriptive or interpretative writing [c.1,500 words], (5) final writing sample of c.3,000 words.	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Learning from critical or close reading
Techniques for critical or close reading using annotation, summary, paraphrase and other relevant technique.

Structuring and developing an argument
Establishing integrity. The roots of an argument. Defending a position. Sequence and logic of ideas. The language of argument.

The role of conventions in academic writing
Selecting from appropriate academic styles. Working with primary and secondary sources. Organisational strategies for academic writers. The structure of a thesis across disciplines.

Descriptive and interpretative writing
Effective description of a process. Using analogies. Considering audience and tone. Establishing bona fides in interpretative analysis. Vivid descriptions of sources, artefacts or processes to support an argument.

The art of revision
Revising and editing using publishers' conventions. Working with multiple drafts. Peer Review. Considering audience and voice. Precision in language.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Jacques Barzun & Henry F. Graff: 1970, The modern researcher, Harcourt, New York, 0-15-5625101
Judith Butcher: 0, Copy-editing, Cambridge University Press, 1992., 9780521400749
Phyllis Creme, and Mary R Lea, Writing at University â€“ A Guide for Students, second edition. Open University Press.: 2003, Writing at University - a Guide for Students, 2nd, Open University Press,
Umberto Eco: 2015, How to write a thesis, MIT Press, 0262527138
Barbara G. Ellis: 2001, The copy-editing and headline handbook, Perseus, Cambridge, Mass., 0738204595
Fairbarn G., and Fairbarn, S.: 2001, Reading at University â€“ A Guide for Students, Oxford University Press,
Silvia GÃ¡likovÃ¡,: 2016, Academic Writing Selected Topics in Writing an Academic Paper, Peter Lang,
Cathy Gerald Graff,: 2012, They say / I say: The Moves that Matter in Academic Writing, 2nd, Birkenstein,
Andy Gillet: 0, Inside Track to Writing Academic Essays. by Andy Gillett, Angela Hammond, Mary Martala-Lockett, Pearson Education, 360, 9780273721710
Eric Hayot,: 2014, Elements of Academic Style: Writing for the Humanities, Columbia University Press, 978-023116801
Peter Levin,: 2004, Write Great Essays! Reading and Essay Writing for Undergraduates and Taught Postgraduates., Open University Press,
George Orwell: 0, Collected Essays Orwell, Mariner Books, 576, 0156186233
Helen Sword,: 0, Stylish Academic Writing, Harvard University Press,

Articles:

Orwell, George: 1968, Politics and the English Language, The Collected Essays, Journalism and Letters of George Orwell, ed. Sonia Orwell and Ian Angos,

Other Resources

None