SFB51020 Professional Communication (Autumn 2021)

Compulsory course in the Bachelor's Programme in International Communication

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Different from the other courses in the International Communication programme this course is a CLIL course (Content and Language Integrated Learning) where enhancing the students’ proficiency in using professional English is in focus alongside the learning of specific theories and skills in relation to business presentations and negotiations.

Students work in teams all through the semester and practice giving business presentations in teams and negotiating in teams. Individually, the students write professional texts such as memos and reports.

Knowledge

The candidate has

• sound knowledge of English for specific purposes and of a number of professional genres, used for writing as well as for oral presentations and negotiations
• sound knowledge of negotiation theory and terminology
• good knowledge of writing advanced professional texts in English with correct referencing and critical use of sources

Skills

The candidate has

• excellent vocabulary and communication skills, developed through reading, discussion, presentations and negotiations
• good practical skills in writing texts for specific purposes in a professional business context
• good presentation and negotiating skills in a professional context

General competence

The candidate has

• very good general and professional communicative and language proficiency in English
• sound social and cultural understanding and competence

• One oral presentation & one practical negotiation, teamwork.
• One written assignment submitted by a given deadline, individual/team work.

The coursework must be approved before the student may sign up for the final examination.

Written Assignment (50%) - an individual written assignment of approx. 2000- 3000 words (excluding front page, table of contents and reference list).

Oral Exam (50%) - An oral exam divided into two parts.

The first part of the oral exam is a 20 minute group negotiation task (with groups numbering approximately 4 or 5 participants). Each candidate is assessed for their individual performance in the group task.

The second part of the oral exam (following directly after the group task) is a 5 minute individual interview with each candidate (where the other group members are not present). Interview topics may be drawn from the completed group task and the course material from the semester. With 4 to 5 candidates each taking part in a 5 minute interview, the total time for the second half of the exam is approximately 20 to 25 minutes.

In total, the exam, (with 4 to 5 candidates), takes about 50 to 60 minutes; 20 mins for the group task and 20 to 30 minutes for 4 to 5 individual interviews.

Grades are individual in both partial exams. Each part counts 50 % towards the final grade.

Both partial exams must be passed to be awarded the final grade.

The A-F grading scale is used.

If the written part is given a fail, it may be improved and resubmitted.

If students wish to improve their grade, they have to submit a new written assignment at a new regular exam.

In the case of a fail in the oral examination the student will be re-examined at the next regular examination unless special reasons call for an immediate new oral test (e.g. a pending exchange to a foreign university).

Required reading:

Theobald, Theo (2013). Develop your presentation skills. London: Kogan Page. 170 pages.

Fisher, Roger, Ury, William & Patton, Bruce (2011). Getting to Yes. Negotiating an agreement without giving in. New York: Penguin Books / London: Random House. 204 pages.

Other course material published on the learning platform.

Recommended reading:

Ury, William (2007). Getting past No: negotiating in difficult situations. New York: Bantam.

Barker, Alan (2013). Improve your communication skills. London: Kogan Page.

Harinck, F., & Leeuwen, E. (2020). The Art of Presenting: Delivering Successful Presentations in the Social Sciences and Humanities. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Voss, C., & Raz, T. (2017). Never split the difference. Random House Business Books.

Barker, Alan (2013). Improve your communication skills. London: Kogan Page.

Note: These four supplementary books are highly recommended as further course reading. Students are recommended to have a copy of each book per team. Also, copies can be borrowed at HiØ’s library at Remmen.