Project Proposal

2025/2026

Academic Year

ENG

Instruction in English

Delivered at:

School of Literature and Intercultural Communication

Course type:

Compulsory course

When:

4 year, 3 module

Instructors

Barinova, Ekaterina

Fomina, Ekaterina

Course Syllabus

Abstract

This practice-oriented course is intended to accomplish two objectives. Firstly, it enables students to practice their English-language academic writing and presentation skills and thus to prepare themselves for entering the English-language academia. Secondly, the course is meant to facilitate the students' preparation for the defence of their BA theses in Russian. The course consists of three parts. Students submit their research project proposals in writing first. Then they are expected to present the key aspects of their BA thesis research - its relevance, scientific novelty, the theoretical framework and methodology, research findings and their significance - to the committee using a power point presentation as a prop. Finally, students are expected to provide detailed and well-substantiated answers to the questions posed by members of the committee.

Learning Objectives

• To introduce students to the format and conventions of presenting their research in writing in English
• To introduce students to the format and conventions of presenting their research ideas orally in English

Expected Learning Outcomes

• A student is able to present the main aspects of their research proposal in a clear, logical and structured manner in accordance with the IMRaD pattern and other conventions of the English-language academic discourse.
• A student is able to present the main aspect of their Project Proposal orally in accordance with the IMRaD pattern and other conventions of English-language academic discourse.
• A student is able to provide clear, detailed and accurate answers to questions presented to them

Course Contents

• Writing the Project Proposal
• Preparing an oral presentation of the Project Proposal
• Preparing for the O&A following the oral presentation of the Project Proposal

Assessment Elements

• Writing the Project Proposal
  Students are expected to write project proposals (1500-3000 words) based on the research they are pursuing for their BA dissertations. Project proposals should be written in accordance with the IMRaD pattern and comprise an introduction, a literature review, a methods sections, a results section, a conclusion, a list of references and an abstract.
• Oral Presentation
  Students are expected to present the main aspects of their poject proposals: relevance, contribution, key terms, aim, methods, expected results and their significance, to provide clear and accurate answers to questions, demonstrate fluency and their knowledge of the conventions of the English-language academic discourse.

Interim Assessment

• 2025/2026 3rd module
  0.6 * Oral Presentation + 0.4 * Writing the Project Proposal

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Paul J. Silvia. (2019). How to Write a Lot : A Practical Guide to Productive Academic Writing: Vol. Second edition. APA LifeTools.
• Wallwork, A. (2016). English for Writing Research Papers (Vol. Second edition). Cham: Springer. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1175370
• Write Here, Right Now : An Interactive Introduction to Academic Writing and Research. (2018). Place of publication not identified: publisher not identified. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsotl&AN=edsotl.OTLid0000681

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Biggam, J. (2015). Succeeding with Your Master’s Dissertation : A Step-by-step Handbook (Vol. Third edition). Berkshire, England: McGraw-Hill Education. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=939824

Authors

• Boryshneva Nelli Nikolaevna
• Barinova Ekaterina Vitalevna
• Morozova Nataliia Nikolaevna
• Fomina Ekaterina Mikhailovna