• Introduction to social constructionism: a discourse approach
• The role of language, and why it matters, within management
• Language and identity
• Language and power
• Language and persuasion
• Critical thinking skills

We interact with language and communication everyday, both for professional purposes and at home. Language is used to represent and reinforce the world around us, and it can be used strategically to navigate complex issues. This course aims to explore, from a linguistic perspective, how language works in practice, thereby allowing students to fully appreciate how their linguistic choices are meaningful.

After taking this course, students should be able to:

• Appreciate the crucial role that language plays in and for management, both on the individual and organizational levels
• Identify ways in which language not only reflects but also shapes social reality
• Approach language through a critical lens, uncovering the many ways in which language creates and maintains power relations
• Perceive the links between language and the construction of identity
• Identify and apply rhetorical resources that increase persuasive impact
• Orally summarize journal articles and facilitate group discussions
• Engage in critical discussion about research in the field

80% of the contact hours.

Attendance is a requirement to pass this course. However, as a concession, you may miss up to 2 meetings of the course (if you miss a third, you will no longer be able to pass). These conditions apply whatever the reasons for your absences may be. If you are going to be absent, please email in advance to let me know.

The course combines lectures with student presentations, critical thinking exercises, and hands-on analyses. During each class, you will actively participate in discussion and critically reflect on the concepts introduced.

• Participation in class (20%)
• Group presentation on a journal article (40%)
• Short piece of writing (40%)

Each form of assessment will be graded 1-5. This will be converted from percentages as follows:

• Below 50% - 5
• 60-69% - 4
• 70-79% - 3
• 80-89% - 2
• 90-100% - 1

Appointments can be made via email: mathew.gillings@wu.ac.at.