PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION - 2019/0
Module code: CMCM063
Module Overview
This module aims to introduce students to the main issues concerning communication in both written and oral genres in professional settings, with a focus in particular on issues in communication with customers. The module will familiarise students with the theoretical and methodological approaches used to study professional communication, equip them with the skills to reflect critically on professional communication events in a variety of contexts. Furthermore, it will develop their abilities as ‘professional communicators' by applying theoretical concepts to practical examples (e.g. applying genre analysis of persuasive texts to writing advertising copy) and allow them to consult others on ‘best practice’ in professional communication.
Module provider
School of Literature and Languages
Module Leader
DIPPOLD Doris (Lit & Langs)
Number of Credits: 15
ECTS Credits: 7.5
Framework: FHEQ Level 7
Module cap (Maximum number of students): 30
Overall student workload
Lecture Hours: 150
Module Availability
Semester 2
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
n/a
Module content
Indicative module content:
Introduction to professional communication
Persuasive written and spoken genres
Apologetic written and spoken genre
Language and the management of relationships in professional genres
Communicating professionally across linguistic and cultural boundaries
Intercultural competence in professional contexts
Technology-mediated communication
Assessment pattern
| Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Essay (2000 words) | 50 |
| Oral exam or presentation | Presentation (15 minutes + 5 minutes questions) | 50 |
Alternative Assessment
Assignment 1 (Esssay) - students will resubmit their first attempt based on feedback Assignment 2 (presentation) requires an alternative assessment if on a ‘group work’ basis (Module Leader to confirm). This will be a spoken recorded presentation and presented in the Late Summer Resit period.
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy consists of a presentation and an essay. In the essay, students present the analysis of a small set of spoken or written data, using the theoretical approaches taught in the first part of the module. In the presentation, students take on the role of a communication consultant. In this role, they will present the analysis of a small set of data (e.g. company tweets etc.) and formulate evidence-based recommendations to the company in question. This strategy ensures that students can use feedback on the analysis conducted for their essay to feed-forward into their presentation. Formative feedback on in-class data analyses will also be provided throughout the module.
Module aims
- to introduce students to the main issues concerning communication in both written and oral genres in professional settings
- to familiarise students with the theoretical and methodological approaches used to study professional communication
- to equip students with the skills to reflect critically on professional communication events in a variety of contexts
- to develop students' abilities as ‘professional communicators' by applying theoretical concepts to practical examples
- to consult others on ‘best practice’ in professional communication.
Learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | ||
| 001 | Use terminology for the analysis of spoken and written professional communication genres | CK |
| 002 | Explain how language in professional contexts is affected by institutional constraints, the genres in which it occurs as well as the transactional and the relational goals of speakers or writers | CK |
| 003 | Select appropriate analytical methods and apply them to the analysis of spoken or written data from a professional communication context | CK |
| 004 | Communicate the results of an investigation into a professional genre in speaking and writing | PT |
| 005 | Reflect critically on instances of professional communication in a variety of settings | CT |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Methods of Teaching / Learning
Individual sessions combine lecture and seminar / workshop elements. Lectures are used to introduce and discuss research methodologies followed by exercises for the students to apply the methods introduced in the lecture.
Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.
Reading list
https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: CMCM063
Other information
n/a
Programmes this module appears in
| Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communication and International Marketing MA | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2019/0 academic year.