Business Communication 2 (EM2003), 3 op

Basic information

Prerequisites

Exchange students should already have had previous basic business communication studies in English /level 1) to be able to follow this course.

Course contents (core content level)

This course will build on the skills and competencies acquired in the previous business communication course with emphasis on more advanced topics related to managerial communication.

Course contents (additional)

The course will focus on managerial communication topics such as negotiations, meetings, sales, business reports, internal and external publications, press releases, writing for the web and presentation skills.

Core content level learning outcomes (knowledge and understanding)

By the end of the course, students will have learned the importance of developing specific communication skills for and applying broader principles to effective managerial communication. Through practical application they will have a better understanding of the complex and dynamic mix of written, spoken and visual communication that takes place within and between organisations.

Core content level learning outcomes (skills)

By the end of the course, students will have developed a flexible array of communication skills for business. They will:

* know the importance of communicating effectively orally in individual and group contexts in various managerial communication situations ? for example giving feedback, negotiations, sales, meetings, press releases
* be able to plan, organise, draft, write and edit accurate, clear and well-presented business documents such as bad news messages, complaints, reports, web texts, press releases and other publicity material both individually and collaboratively
* have learned the impact on and importance for effective managerial communication of developing technologies
* be able to adapt their communication skills both orally and in writing to various situations appropriately, communicating at suitable levels of sophistication, style and register.

Recommended reading

Taylor Shirley 2005 Communication for Business A Practical Approach 4th Edition Pearson Longman (already a recommended purchase in year 1 course)

Reference:
Blundel Richard 2004 Effective Organisational Communication, Perspectives, principles and practices, 2nd edition FT Prentice Hall

Taylor Shirley 2004 Model Business Letters, E-mails & Other Business Documents 6th edition FT Prentice Hall

Thill and Bovée 2005 Excellence in Business Communication Prentice Hall 6th edition

Lecturers own material, websites, hand-outs and reference lists will be available in Ovi Portal

Teaching and learning strategies

Course methods vary depending on the topic under discussion and include the use of lectures, role play, simulation, guest lectures, presentations, group and individual work, seminars, etc

Teaching methods and student workload

Contact teaching
Individual research, reading
Assignments and project
Simulation

Assessment weighting and grading

Assessing communication skills is complex and students will be invited to discuss and influence assessment strategies as the course progresses. Students will be expected to participate actively in all aspects of the course throughout the semester and complete each assessed component successfully. In brief, to pass the course will require attendance. Students can add many of the assignments they complete to their communication portfolio from year 1.
Assessment will be more clearly explained and defined at each point but the grade for the course can be broken down as follows:

Ongoing course work, assignments etc 40%
Managerial communication project 30%
Oral skills: Sales, Negotiation, Meetings, Simulations 30%

Related competences of the degree programme

International and intercultural skills
Application of business skills
Personal development
Communication and interpersonal skills
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