Syllabus

Title
0176 Introduction to Business Communication
Instructors
Univ.Prof. Dr. Gerlinde Mautner
Type
LVP
Weekly hours
2
Language of instruction
Englisch
Registration
11/14/19 to 12/01/19
Registration via LPIS
Notes to the course
Subject(s) Bachelor Programs
Dates
Day Date Time Room
Tuesday 12/03/19 09:30 AM - 12:00 PM TC.0.10 Audimax
Thursday 12/05/19 09:30 AM - 12:00 PM TC.0.10 Audimax
Tuesday 12/10/19 09:30 AM - 12:00 PM TC.0.10 Audimax
Thursday 12/12/19 09:30 AM - 12:00 PM TC.0.10 Audimax
Tuesday 12/17/19 09:30 AM - 12:00 PM TC.0.10 Audimax
Thursday 12/19/19 09:30 AM - 12:00 PM TC.0.10 Audimax
Tuesday 01/07/20 09:30 AM - 12:00 PM TC.0.10 Audimax
Thursday 01/09/20 09:30 AM - 12:00 PM TC.0.10 Audimax
Tuesday 01/14/20 09:30 AM - 12:00 PM TC.0.10 Audimax
Thursday 01/16/20 09:30 AM - 12:00 PM TC.0.10 Audimax
Contents
  1. Communication in business: Managers, models, modes
  2. Language: The key to communication
  3. Communication in context: Cultures, organisations, settings
  4. Four functions of language
  5. The language system: Signs, structure, selection
  6. Language variation and change
  7. Rhetoric: Selling your ideas
  8. Communication and power
  9. Communication and identity
  10. Recall, recap and look ahead
Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course, students will be able:

  • To recognise the central role of language and communication in businesses and a range of business contexts.
  • To name and explain basic concepts in business communication.
  • To draw on this knowledge to understand and apply communicative strategies.
  • To recognise a range of linguistic choices that speakers/writers make in order to convey information, to express emotions and opinions, to get other people to do things, and to build relationships.
  • To establish connections between language use and key social concepts such as power and identity.

Attendance requirements

While attendance is not mandatory, students will benefit from in-class explanations and real-life examples illustrating the phenomena discussed in the coursebook. Thus, regular attendance is strongly encouraged.

Attending the lecture is not necessary (though of course extremely useful …!) to be able to do the exam.

Teaching/learning method(s)

The coursebook “Introduction to Business Communication”, specifically tailored to WU students, represents a comprehensive overview of the material required for the examination. Following the structure of the coursebook, the lecture course is designed to support student learning through further in-depth explanations as well as authentic business examples. Students will be encouraged to reflect on their own personal and professional experience to gain insights into the more theoretical aspects of the course. Moreover, students will engage with real-life best and worst practice examples and apply the theories and concepts discussed as part of the course. In addition to the lecture course and the coursebook, online materials will give students the opportunity to view multimedia content relevant to the course. 

Assessment

A written single-choice exam for which you will have to register separately during the period of registration in LPIS. For exact dates please check out LPIS in time

FORMAT

Duration: 90 minutes

Maximum points achievable: 100 points = 100%

Structure: 40 questions, single choice from among 4 possible answers:

                  30 short questions of 2 points each --- 60 points in total

                              10 "scene questions" at 4 points each --- 40 points in total

GRADE SCALE

Less than 60 points: 5

60 and above: 4

70 and above: 3

80 and above: 2

90 and above: 1

         ***

Three exam dates per semester will be offered.

Exam rules: Students are not permitted to submit their exams or leave the exam room during the FIRST 30 minutes AND during the FINAL 15 minutes of the exam time.

Examinable material (Prüfungsstoff): the coursebook (Skriptum)

Prerequisites for participation and waiting lists

N/A

Readings
1 Author: Gerlinde Mautner, Christopher J Ross, Miya Komori-Glatz, and Susanne Kopf
Title:

Coursebook “Introduction to Business Communication”


Publisher: Management Book Service
Edition: 1
Year: 2019
Content relevant for class examination: Yes
Recommendation: Essential reading for all students
Type: Script
2 Author: Mautner, Gerlinde
Title:

Powerpoint Slides


Publisher: Supplementary Material
Remarks: Please note that the slides do NOT summarise the units. Nor are most of them self-explanatory. Looking at the slides is therefore NOT a substitute for reading and studying the coursebook.
Year: 2019
Recommendation: Reference literature
3 Author: Lutzky, Ursula
Title:

(Additional) Material at Learn@WU


Publisher: Supplementary Material
Year: 2019
Recommendation: Reference literature
4 Author: Kopf, Susanne & Komori-Glatz, Miya
Title:

Glossary of technical terms (in preparation; to be uploaded to Learn@WU later)


Publisher: Supplementary Material
Year: 2019
Recommendation: Reference literature
Recommended previous knowledge and skills

No prior knowledge of business communication is required. However, as the course will be delivered in English, students' English-language competence will be expected to be at least at B2 level.

Availability of lecturer(s)

Please refer to the homepage of the Institute for English Business Communication: https://www.wu.ac.at/en/ebc/about-us/team

Unit details
Unit Date Contents
1

Communication in business: Managers, models, modes

2

Language: The key to communication

3

Communication in context: Cultures, organisations, settings

4

Four functions of language

5

The language system: Signs, structure, selection

6

Language variation and change

7

Rhetoric: Selling your ideas

8

Communication and power

9

Communication and identity

10

Recall, recap and look ahead

Last edited: 2020-02-27



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