Syllabus

Title
4970 Advanced Course in Foreign Language Business Communication: Negotiating
Instructors
ao.Univ.Prof. Dr. Alexander Beer
Contact details
Type
PI
Weekly hours
2
Language of instruction
Englisch
Registration
02/14/23 to 02/16/23
Registration via LPIS
Notes to the course
This class is only offered in summer semesters.
Dates
Day Date Time Room
Friday 04/14/23 08:30 AM - 01:00 PM D2.0.374
Friday 04/21/23 08:30 AM - 01:30 PM D2.0.374
Friday 04/28/23 08:30 AM - 01:30 PM D2.0.392
Friday 05/05/23 08:30 AM - 01:00 PM D2.0.374
Friday 05/05/23 09:30 AM - 12:00 PM D2.0.318
Friday 05/05/23 09:30 AM - 12:00 PM D2.0.316
Friday 05/05/23 09:30 AM - 12:00 PM D2.0.384
Friday 05/12/23 08:30 AM - 01:00 PM D2.0.374
Friday 05/12/23 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM D2.0.330
Contents
The theoretical part focuses on the structure of a negotiation, the language devices that can be used to direct a negotiation in the desired direction (questioning techniques, persuading, handling break-downs etc.) as well as on strategies which are commonly employed in negotiations e.g. good cop-bad cop, slice the salami.

In the practical part, students apply the theoretical knowledge acquired. The case-study based simulations are held one-on-one or two-on-two. All negotiations are recorded and students will receive - and be asked to give - in-depth feedback.

Learning outcomes

After completing this course, students will have increased their awareness of the key strategic role that language and communication play in business negotiations and better understand the mechanisms underlying the linguistic techniques employed in negotiations.

On the basis of study-related simulations students learn to apply strategic language (phrases and terminology) effectively by progressing from handling negotiations focusing on one issue only to complex ones.

Students will have improved their negotiation skills after analysis of video recordings made throughout the course.

By evaluating one of their fellow students' negotiations they are provided with the opportunity to reflect on the various aspects playing an important role and discussing those in class.

Students will have reached the level C1 according to the Common European Framework .

Attendance requirements

In general, students are required to attend all classes; one absence will be tolerated, but the instructor should ideally be informed in advance to make any necessary arrangements. If classes have to be moved online, specific procedures will be communicated in time. Sessions will partly be covered in live MS Teams meetings within the times originally scheduled and partly be moved to tasks to be completed at your own schedule.

Teaching/learning method(s)

If classes are held in person: theoretical input as well as exercises on language and strategy will be covered in class, with students applying this input in subsequent role plays.

If held online:

The first session will be held at the time originally scheduled (with mandatory attendance in that class). The remaining sessions will be held partly in live online classes, partly moved to asynchronous sessions.
Theoretical part to be delivered in Powerpoint slides with audio commentary for download
Handouts will be made available as Word files and include terminology and an array of exercises

Practical skills part: case-studies based role-plays and simulations (to be recorded by themselves); written in-detail feedback provided by lecturer to each group

Assessment

Attendance of all sessions is required (formal records of attendance will be kept).

- overall performance in various roleplays throughout the course (60%)

- written assessment/evaluation of another group's negotiation (20%)

- final exam (20%)

Prerequisites for participation and waiting lists

Positive completion of “Introduction to Management”
 

Readings

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Availability of lecturer(s)

Institute for English Business Communication

by e-mail:
Alexander Beer

Unit details
Unit Date Contents
1

The Basics

General genre profile

Preparing to negotiate

Relationship building

Establishing a procedure

2

Power

Different sources of power

Impact of power on language use

Intercultural issues

The impact of culture on negotiation styles

Addressing potential sources of intercultural conflict

The proposal stage

Questioning techniques

3

Persuasion

Linguistic techniques for increasing rhetorical impact and persuasive forces

Powers of persuasion

Exploring interests

The bargaining zone

4

Disagreement and conflict

The role of language in escalating and de-escalating disagreement/conflict

Words with negative vs positive semantic load, politeness strategies

Handling breakdowns

5

Closing the deal

Conclusion and agreement

Revision

6 Final negotiations
Last edited: 2022-11-23



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