Syllabus

Title
2173 Communicative Competence in Business Contexts
Instructors
Lauren Landsmann, B.A.,M.Sc., Dr. Susanne Kopf
Contact details
Type
VUE
Weekly hours
3
Language of instruction
Englisch
Registration
09/30/24 to 10/13/24
Registration via LPIS
Notes to the course
Dates
Day Date Time Room
Wednesday 10/16/24 08:00 AM - 01:00 PM Online-Einheit
Thursday 10/17/24 08:30 AM - 11:00 AM TC.3.07
Wednesday 10/23/24 08:00 AM - 01:00 PM Online-Einheit
Thursday 10/24/24 08:30 AM - 11:00 AM TC.3.07
Thursday 10/31/24 08:30 AM - 11:00 AM TC.3.07
Wednesday 11/06/24 08:00 AM - 11:00 AM Online-Einheit
Thursday 11/07/24 08:30 AM - 11:00 AM TC.3.07
Thursday 11/21/24 08:30 AM - 11:00 AM TC.3.07
Thursday 12/05/24 08:30 AM - 11:00 AM TC.3.07
Thursday 12/12/24 08:30 AM - 11:00 AM TC.3.07
Thursday 01/09/25 08:30 AM - 11:00 AM TC.3.07
Thursday 01/16/25 08:30 AM - 11:00 AM TC.3.07
Contents

CCBC is a newly designed course held in the format of a Vorlesungsübung (VUE). CCBC focuses on developing and practising communication skills in international and intercultural business contexts. The lecture part (“Vorlesungsteil”) of CCBC will introduce students to key concepts for business communication, which will be applied in the smaller, instructor-led practice classes (i.e. the “Übungsteil”).

Learning outcomes

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

  • Recognize the central role of language, discourse and communication in businesses and in diverse business contexts.
  • Apply and practice key concepts and communicative strategies introduced in the lecture.
  • Consider different perspectives to achieve specific communicative goals.
  • Convey information clearly and correctly in international business contexts.
  • Reflect on your own perspectives, experiences and performance in relation to your communication.
  • Express opinions in a constructive way and give high-quality feedback to your peers.
  • Build relationships and persuade business partners and clients to take a particular course of action, taking into account differences in cultural backgrounds.
  • Understand and apply the concept of the Businesslike Zone, considering and appreciating your audience’s perspective.
  • Develop and expand a shared repertoire of business vocabulary and collocations.
  • Research, plan, and hold a short, persuasive group presentation on an international business topic.

Throughout the course, students will also consolidate their English language proficiency at an upper B2 level, with a particular focus on effective business communication.

Attendance requirements

Students must not miss more than two sessions of the practice classes (Übungsteil).  It is strongly recommended that students attend and participate in the lecture part, as it will cover essential topics for the exam as well as for other performance components in the practice classes.

Teaching/learning method(s)

CCBC consists of an interactive lecture part and several parallel practice classes.

All students registered for CCBC will attend the same online lecture held by Dr. Kopf. You can find information about these sessions on Canvas.

The practice classes will be held by different instructors in smaller groups to allow students to apply and develop communicative competences.

You can find information about the performance components linked to each part of the course below.

Assessment

Provided you satisfy the attendance requirement, your final score will be made up of the following elements:

  • Exam based on the lecture part: 35%
    • Online, 30-minute, single-choice exam held on Canvas during the final lecture session (6 November, 10.15 to 10.45 Canvas quiz)
    • Testable material: see CCBC lecture reader Table of Contents (sections highlighted in grey)

  • Presentations: 30% (graded) 
    • Group presentations held during the practice classes 
    • Outline (5 points) 
    • Presentation (20 points) 
    • Peer feedback (5 Points) 

  • Continuous assessment: 35% 
    • A mix of assignments and activities related to the Coursebook 
    • Can be in and out of class 
    • Tasks and grading specified by individual instructor 

If you do not submit any of the performance components (Teilleistungen), you will receive no grade, and you will not lose an 'Antritt'. Otherwise your grade will be based on your final score, as follows:

Grade scale:

  • Grade 1: 90-100%
  • Grade 2: 80-89%
  • Grade 3: 70-79%
  • Grade 4: 60-69%
  • Grade 5: 0-59%

You do not need to achieve a minimum score on any performance components.

Readings

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Recommended previous knowledge and skills

None

Availability of lecturer(s)
Last edited: 2024-11-06



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