Communication Tools and Study Skills (EM1006), 6 op

Basic information

Prerequisites

Course contents (core content level)

In this year-long course, students will develop and improve their existing communication and study skills on both a business and interpersonal level. The course will prepare and equip the student for study on an international business degree programme both in Finland and the UK. Students will also learn the main aspects of communication in a business context both orally and in writing.

Course contents (additional)

Academic writing, studying in groups and teams, time management, identifying learning styles, analysing individual skills and competencies, self-development.

Core content level learning outcomes (knowledge and understanding)

By the end of the course, students will have improved their communication and study skills and have gained the tools necessary to develop these further. They will have a general understanding of the communication process and will know the principles of academic and collaborative writing for bachelors study both in Finland and the UK. Students will also have learned the basics of oral and written business communication.

Core content level learning outcomes (skills)

By the end of the course, students will:
* know their personal strengths and weaknesses with regard to learning and communication
* understand the process and nature of communication, non-verbal and verbal communication, intercultural communication and differences between oral and written communication
* have learned the importance of planning, organising, drafting, writing and editing accurate, clear and well-presented contemporary written business documents and academic assignments
* have learned the importance of being able to communicate at suitable levels of sophistication, style and register in all aspects of their studies and business communication
* know how to structure and give effective oral presentations

Recommended reading

Taylor Shirley 2005 Communication for Business A Practical Approach 4th Edition Pearson Longman (a recommended purchase in year 1 and to be used again in year 2)

Reference:
Payne Elain and Whittaker Lesley 2000 Developing Essential Study Skills Great Britain 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
Emmerson Paul 2004 email English Great Britain Macmillan
Lecturers own material, websites and hand-outs

Teaching and learning strategies

The course will include a variety of methodologies; lectures, class discussions, group work, seminars, presentations, individual and group projects and portfolio assignments.
Students will design and create their own communication portfolio, which will give them the opportunity to work according to their own individual written communication needs.

Teaching methods and student workload

Portfolio
Lectures
Presentation
Individual research, reading
Learning tasks / Assignments

Assessment weighting and grading

Students will be expected to participate actively in all aspects of the course throughout the year and complete each assessed component successfully. Assessing communication and study skills is complex and this will be more clearly explained and defined throughout the year. Assessment will be weighted as follows;

Academic Writing 30%
Communication portfolio 30%
Presentation skills 30%
Personal development, continuous assessment, class participation 10%

Related competences of the degree programme

International and intercultural skills
Communication and social competence
Personal development
Communication and interpersonal skills