SFB51115 Professional Communication II (Spring 2018)

The course is connected to the following study programs

• Mandatory course in Bachelor's Programme in International Communication
• Specialisation course in Bachelor's Programme in Business Administration, specialisation International Communication
• Optional course in Bachelor's Programme in Business Administration

Prerequisites

Knowledge corresponding to the course Professional Communication I (10 ECTS credits) is recommended.

Lecture Semester

• Bachelor's Programme in International Communication: 2nd semester (spring)
• Bachelor's Programme in Business Administration, specialisation International Communication: 6^th semester (spring)
• Bachelor's Programme in Business Administration: 4^th semester (spring)

The student's learning outcomes after completing the course

Knowledge
The candidates have gained sound knowledge of negotiation theory and terminology. Vocabulary and communication skills have been improved through reading, discussion and presentations. The candidates have gained theoretical knowledge of writing advanced professional English texts with references and critical use of sources.

Skills
The candidates have practical skills in writing longer texts in professional contexts. They are capable of carrying out negotiations in English.

General competence
The candidates have developed their language proficiency in general and professional English and have further enhanced their social competence.

Content

Negotiation technique and strategy, literature reading and discussions. Case studies are used as well as negotiation practice. Longer professional texts such as memos and reports.
The learning focuses on using effective communication strategies as well as relevant structures, conventions and terminology.

Forms of teaching and learning

Workload

The course will give the student approximately 280 hours of work.

Coursework requirements - conditions for taking the exam

• One practical negotiation
• One written assignment submitted by a given deadline

 All coursework must be approved before signing up for the final exam

Examination

Written assignment (50%) and oral examination (50%)

Partial exam 1
The final assessment is based on an individual written assignment (about 10 pages).

Partial exam 2
An oral examination, largely group-based and partly individual, lasting approx. 50 minutes per group. No aids are permitted during the individual oral examination.

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 assignment 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 exam the student will be reexamined at the next regular examination unless special reasons call for an immediate new oral test (e.g. a pending exchange to a foreign university).  

If an appeal is filed about the written result, the written part will be reassessed.

Course evaluation

The course is evaluated by the students each semester and the result of the evaluation is reported to the faculty's committee for study quality.

Literature

Updated April 30^th 2015. The reading list may be subject to change before the semester starts.

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.

Simon Sweeney (2003). English for Business Communication. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 174 pages

Ury, W. L. (2007). Getting Past No. New York: Bantam.

All course material published on the learning platform.