SFB51115 Professional Communication II (Spring 2020)

The course is connected to the following study programs

Compulsory course in Bachelor's Programme in International Communication

Recommended requirements

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

Lecture Semester

2nd semester (spring)

The student's learning outcomes after completing the course

Knowledge

The candidate has

• sound knowledge of negotiation theory and terminology.

• good vocabulary and communication skills have been developed through reading, discussion and presentations.

• good theoretical knowledge of writing advanced professional English texts with references and critical use of sources.

Skills

The candidate

• has good practical skills in writing longer texts in professional contexts.

• is capable of carrying out negotiations in English.

General competence

The candidate has

• sound language proficiency in general and professional English.

• sound 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

Lectures and seminars in English.

Workload

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

Practical training/internship

None.

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

Written Assignment (50%) - an individual written assignment of no more than 10 pages.

Partial exam 2

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.

Examiners

One external and one internal or two internal examinators.

Conditions for resit/rescheduled exams

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).

Course evaluation

The course is evaluated by the students each semester in accordance with HiØ's quality procedures.

Literature

Updated 30.01.2020. The readinglist 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.

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

All course material published on the learning platform.

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