LG366-6-AU-CO:
Introduction to Professional Communication

The details
2024/25
Language and Linguistics
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 6
Current
Thursday 03 October 2024
Friday 13 December 2024
15
29 August 2024

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

(none)

Key module for

(none)

Module description

This module introduces final-year undergraduate students from across the social sciences to the fundamental theories and analytical methods that underpin effective communication within various professional environments. The course aims to demonstrate how language can be strategically employed to achieve diverse objectives and will likely be of particular interest to students interested in going into careers in management and marketing.


Key concepts such as discourse, influence, authority, emotion, and cross-cultural communication will be explored to provide insights into the factors that impact professional interactions and the tactics that can be utilised to enhance communication effectiveness. Throughout the module, students will not only develop a solid understanding of these theoretical concepts but will also have numerous opportunities to refine their own professional communication skills and techniques. Practical application of these skills will be encouraged across a variety of scenarios and settings, ensuring that students are well-equipped to excel in their future careers in management and marketing.

Module aims

The aims of this module are:



  •  Introduce students to essential theories and strategies for effective professional communication.

  • Examine the diverse applications of language in various settings to establish and convey meaning, with a focus on professional communication scenarios.

  • Investigate the factors that contribute to successful communication within and across professional contexts.

  • Provide opportunities for students to practise, enhance, and implement communication skills and techniques tailored to their future professional careers.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:


1. Understand the selected theoretical concepts and models in the field of professional communication.
2. Appreciate the role of language and the role it plays in different communicative practices and contexts.
3. Be critically aware of the factors that shape and influence the ways in which communication takes places across a range of different media.
4. Demonstrate practical abilities and strategies for communicating effectively across a range of different professional contexts and media.

Module information

Syllabus 



  • Introduction to professional communication.

  • Intercultural communication and communicative competence.

  • Approaches to understanding communication 1.

  • Approaches to understanding communication 2.

  • Communicative practices within professional contexts 1.

  • Communicative practices within professional contexts 2.

  • Developing successful communicative practices – speaking.

  • Developing successful communicative practices – writing.

  • Developing successful communicative practices – digital literacies 1.

  • Developing successful communicative practices – digital literacies 2.

Learning and teaching methods

This module will be delivered via:

  • One 2-hour lecture per week.

The lectures will be a combination of lecture-style input and student-centred seminar activities. Lecture-style input introduces students to theoretical concepts and models and provides an overview of key research findings.

Seminar activities include exercises, pair- and group-work tasks, and discussion.

Classroom activities are supplemented by readings and recommended online materials such as presentations by or interviews with researchers whose work is being discussed, self-assessment quizzes, etc.

All materials will be provided online in a format that allows for visual/auditory adaptation to individual needs, and Listen Again will be enabled, so learning and teaching methods will be inclusive for all students.

Bibliography

This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Coursework   Draft Assignment  10/12/2024   
Coursework   Individual Case Study  02/01/2025  50% 
Practical   Moodle Quiz 1    25% 
Practical   Moodle Quiz 2    25% 

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Stamatia Savvani, email: stamatia.savvani@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Yuchen Zong, email: yuchen.zong@essex.ac.uk.
Stamatia Savvani & Yuchen Zong
Stamatia Savvani, stamatia.savvani@essex.ac.uk Office: 4.206, Number: 4267. Yuchen Zong, yuchen.zong@essex.ac.uk, office: 4.119, number: 2633

 

Availability
Yes
Yes
Yes

External examiner

Dr Sam Christian D'Elia
Resources
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.

 

Further information
Language and Linguistics

Disclaimer: The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its Module Directory is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to programmes, modules, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include a change of law or regulatory requirements, industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key personnel, change in government policy, or withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to modules may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery or assessment of modules and other services, to discontinue modules and other services and to merge or combine modules. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications and module directory.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.