SFB51009 Professional Communication I (Autumn 2012)

The course is connected to the following study programs

• Mandatory course in the bachelor programme International Communication
• Specialisation course in the degree programme Business Administration, specialisation International Communication
• Optional course in the degree programme Information Systems and IT Management

Lecture Semester

• Bachelor programme in International Communication: 1^st semester (autumn)
• Bachelor programme in Business Administration, specialisation: International communication: 5^th semester (autumn)
• Bachelor programme in Information Systems and IT Management: 5^th semester (autumn)

The student's learning outcomes after completing the course

KNOWLEDGE

The students will be familiar with communication strategies and conventions regarding form and style, and they will have gained knowledge of the structure of the English language and the relationship between grammatical structure and communicative function.

SKILLS

At completion of the course the students have developed their written and oral English. In the oral part of the course they will have acquired skills in situations relevant to working life, such as polite conversation, telephone conversations and oral presentations.

In the written part of the course the students will have developed their capability for clear and effective writing.

GENERAL COMPETENCE

At completion of the course the students have good communicative competence and have developed their social competence.

Content

The oral part of the course introduces different forms of oral business communication, such as informative and persuasive presentations. Business communication is placed in a cultural context, thus the course also includes examples of modern English-language fiction. Proficiency training is in focus and all the students give presentations in seminars. There are also discussions of fiction, and case studies are performed focusing on argumentation and problem solving.

The written part of the course teaches various forms of written English and relevant terminology. The students are introduced to general text production and linguistic structures, including basic syntactic analysis. Keywords are: text structure, coherence, style and level, and loyalty to the reader. Reference technique and critical use of sources are important elements of the course.

Forms of teaching and learning

Lectures and group work. The language used is English.

Coursework requirements - conditions for taking the exam

• Two oral presentations

• A minimum of 80% attendance in the oral part of the course. For exemption to be granted from this requirement, a written application must be submitted stating the reasons for failure of attendance.

Coursework has to be submitted and approved before a student may take the final exam.

Examination

Portfolio assessment and oral examination

The exam is made up of a portfolio containing one individual written text, and an individual oral examination lasting approx. 25 minutes. No aids are permitted during the oral examination. Both the written and oral part has to be approved for a pass result. The oral exam may adjust the final result by until two steps up or down on the A-F grading scale.

In the case of a fail in the portfolio part the student may submit an improved portfolio at the next resit. Both the written and the oral part must be retaken.

If a complaint is filed about the final result, the written part will be reassessed. In the case of a changed result a new oral exam will be arranged in accordance with the exam regulations of Østfold University College (section 18-4).

Course evaluation

The course is evaluated twice each semester, once orally as mid-semester evaluation that takes place in a meeting between student representatives and the programme coordinator and/or the director of studies, and once as written end-of-term evaluation.

Literature

- Locker, K & S Kaczmarek (2010). Business Communication: Building Critical Skills. 3^rd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill

- Elton, B (2002). Dead Famous. London: Black Swan

- Course material published on the learning platform