Research Methodologies and Academic Writing

Objectives

The main aim of this curricular unit is to develop the students´ abilities to produce autonomous research in the area of the humanities. Thus, it involves:
a) Understanding the basic norms governing the collection and processing of data in the humanities, and mastering the use of tools available for the task
b) Knowing how to structure and write academic texts
c) Developing the oral skills necessary for participation in academic debates
d) Reflecting critically about the process of knowledge production with attention to intercultural dynamics in the globalized world

General characterization

Code

722160100

Credits

10.0

Responsible teacher

Fernando José de Almeida Esperança Clara

Hours

Weekly - 3

Total - 280

Teaching language

Portuguese

Prerequisites

Available soon

Bibliography

Bennett, K. 2011. Academic Writing in Portugal I: Discourses in Conflict, Coimbra: Coimbra University Press.
Bennett, K. Forthcoming. Academic Writing in English (for Portuguese Researchers): an Introduction. Coimbra: CINEP
Griffin, G. (ed.) 2013. Research Methods for English Studies. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press
Pickering, M. (ed.) 2008. Research Methods for Cultural Studies. Edinburgh: University of Edinburgh Press.
Schmidt, R., Giordano, E & Schmidt, G. 2015. A Guided Inquiry Approach to Teaching the Humanities Research Project. California: ABC-CLIO

Teaching method

The methods are student-centred, and take the form of practical workshops designed to develop the various skills listed above.

Evaluation method

1) Continuous assessment: classroom participation, motivation and performance, progress made(50%), 2) Test: production of a short academic article(50%)

Subject matter

A. 1. introduction to humanities research: publishers and the publication process; peer review; libraries and digital repositories; indexes and catalogues; digital databases
2. tools: virtualization, portablity and interoperability
3. software for the collection and processing of bibliographic references [Zotero]
4. text processing: formatting, norms, styles, structure, automatic features
5. preparation of a specialized thematic bibliography
B.1. analysis of the structure of academic texts (textual organization, register, cohesion, coherence, etc)
2. planning and writing of academic texts
3. techniques for academic debate
4. critical reflection about the process of knowledge production in the globalized world