COURSE DESCRIPTION

The objective of this course is to develop your doctoral students’ skills in the design of your research questions, to prepare your research work management, to reinforce your ability in scientific writing as well as to improve your presentation skills. Research design, scientific writing, work organization and presentation skills will be trained via a wide range of assignments. In-house as well as external collaborators (e.g. theatre professionals) will actively participate in the course. We will discuss how to make, situate, and qualify arguments appropriately in doctoral academic writing. We will also focus on the aspects of the process of getting an article published such as selecting appropriate journals and interacting with editors. We will discuss how to structure an article as well as how to manage the revision process.

At the end of this course, you will be asked to submit and to get an acceptation for your first scientific publication, preferably a specific « state-of-the-art » paper in your field of research.

 

Learning outcomes of the course

At the end of this course students will be able to :

–          understand how to address an international scientific audience,

–          make a convincing scholarly argument,

–          write an introduction in line with their publication strategy,

–          write a conclusion in line with their publication strategy,

–          structure their article in line with their publication strategy,

–          manage the revision process,

–          build a convincing oral presentation of their paper,

–          develop an oral presentation strategy,

–          develop their interpersonal skills,

–          write a referee report.

Specific skills and competences trained during this course. At the end of this course student will have:

–          Developed their critical sense (arguing)

–          Strengthened their capacity for creative writing and presenting

–          Strengthened their professional capacity for oral communication

–          Strengthened their professional capacity for written communication 

Planned learning activities and teaching

Participants will be guided through structured writing exercises; they will write texts of their own and give response on those of other members of the group.

The course consists of at least four three-hour sessions. Classes will be divided between discussions and practical exercises. Discussions will be based on the material that participants will be producing and should preferably be authentic, i.e. documents that participants are in the process of writing in their various departments. Substantial time will be devoted to the presentation and description of doctoral students’ ongoing research projects and the course settings are designed to allow in each phase for constructive feedback.

In addition, doctoral students and coordinators will have the possibility to discuss current issues, change ideas and network among each other.

 

Mode of delivery (face-to-face or distance learning)

The course is seminar-style with active discussions of many practical examples

It consists in the reading and writing of the most common documents in scientific writing (research reports, research articles, conference papers, oral presentations). It is hence based on the analysis and discussion of existing work as well as on a wide series of mini-assignments.

 

Recommended or required readings

The list of required readings will be provided on the Lola section dedicated to the course.

 

Assessment methods and criteria

The course grade will be determined by a final assignment (60%) as well as by a set of intermediate presentations (30%). Active participation will be graded too (10%).

 

Work placement(s)

None

Organizational remarks

Students are expected to do their own work. At no time is it tolerated to use materials from former academic years or other sources. No plagiarism of any kind will be tolerated.

Contacts

Prof. Didier Van Caillie, d.vancaillie@ulg.ac.be

President of the Department «Finance & Law »