Syllabus

Title
5731 Critical Perspectives on Management Communication
Instructors
Dr. Mathew Gillings
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
Wednesday 03/01/23 04:00 PM - 06:30 PM D2.0.374
Thursday 03/02/23 04:00 PM - 06:30 PM D2.0.374
Monday 03/13/23 04:00 PM - 06:30 PM D2.0.374
Wednesday 03/15/23 04:00 PM - 06:30 PM D2.0.374
Friday 03/17/23 04:00 PM - 06:30 PM D2.0.374
Monday 03/20/23 04:00 PM - 06:30 PM TC.3.11
Monday 03/27/23 04:00 PM - 06:30 PM D2.0.374
Tuesday 03/28/23 04:00 PM - 06:30 PM D2.0.374
Wednesday 03/29/23 04:00 PM - 06:30 PM D2.0.374
Contents
  • 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.

Learning outcomes

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
Attendance requirements

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.

Teaching/learning method(s)

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.

Assessment
  • 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
Readings

Please log in with your WU account to use all functionalities of read!t. For off-campus access to our licensed electronic resources, remember to activate your VPN connection connection. In case you encounter any technical problems or have questions regarding read!t, please feel free to contact the library at readinglists@wu.ac.at.

Availability of lecturer(s)

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

Unit details
Unit Date Contents
1

Introduction to social constructionism and the discourse approach

2

Language myths

3

Why language matters: choice

4

Why language matters: choice

5

Why language matters: choice

6

Linguistic choice in Vienna

7

Language and identity

8

Language and persuasion

9

Language and power

Last edited: 2022-11-30



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