Syllabus

Title
0097 Introduction to Business Communication
Instructors
Assoz.Prof Priv.Doz.Dr. Ursula Lutzky
Contact details
Type
LVP
Weekly hours
2
Language of instruction
Englisch
Registration
09/04/23 to 10/08/23
Registration via LPIS
Notes to the course
Subject(s) Bachelor Programs
Dates
Day Date Time Room
Monday 10/09/23 02:00 PM - 04:30 PM Online-Einheit
Wednesday 10/11/23 04:00 PM - 06:30 PM Online-Einheit
Monday 10/16/23 02:00 PM - 04:30 PM Online-Einheit
Wednesday 10/18/23 04:00 PM - 06:30 PM Online-Einheit
Monday 10/23/23 02:00 PM - 04:30 PM Online-Einheit
Wednesday 10/25/23 02:00 PM - 04:30 PM Online-Einheit
Monday 10/30/23 02:00 PM - 04:30 PM Online-Einheit
Monday 11/06/23 02:00 PM - 04:30 PM Online-Einheit
Wednesday 11/08/23 02:00 PM - 04:30 PM Online-Einheit
Monday 11/13/23 02:00 PM - 04:30 PM Online-Einheit
Contents
  1. Introduction
  2. Communication in business: Managers, models, modes
  3. Language: The key to communication
  4. Communication in context: Cultures, organisations, settings
  5. Four functions of language
  6. The language system: Signs, structure, selection
  7. Language variation and change
  8. Rhetoric: Selling your ideas
  9. Communication and power
  10. Communication and identity
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

single-choice and closed-book exam on the internet for which you will have to register separately during the period of registration in the following way:

a.) BBE students only: please register by sending an e-mail to pruefungsorganisation@wu.ac.at during the following periods of registration for the respective exam dates: Terminkalender

b.) Any other students: registration can only be effected in LPIS during the period of registration

For exact dates of the period of registration please check out LPIS in time. Three exam dates per semester will be offered.

         ***

The exam is subject to 'Online-Aufsicht'.

         ***

FORMAT

Duration: 60 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

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Examinable material (Prüfungsstoff): the coursebook (Skriptum)

Prerequisites for participation and waiting lists

N/A

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.

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

Introduction

2

Communication in business: Managers, models, modes

3

Language: The key to communication

4

Communication in context: Cultures, organisations, settings

5

Four functions of language

6

The language system: Signs, structure, selection

7

Language variation and change

8

Rhetoric: Selling your ideas

9

Communication and power

10

Communication and identity

Last edited: 2023-10-06



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