Professional Communication in Intercultural Contexts

At the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Describe and explain key theories and concepts related to how language is used in intercultural professional contexts, including advertising, generative AI and interpersonal interaction (K)
• Analyse examples of different types of written and spoken professional communication using appropriate linguistic terminology and analytical procedures (K, C)
• Demonstrate core academic and research skills, including sourcing relevant materials, evaluating evidence, and referencing appropriately (K, T)
• Reflect critically on real-world professional communication events to identify areas for improvement and change (C, P, T)
• Create effective artefacts for training of or communication with key stakeholders (K, P)

Attributes

In this course we will explore six main themes:

• Types of writing and speaking in professional contexts and their characteristics
• Managing relationships
• Digital communication (incl. generative AI)
• Working across languages and cultures
• Developing yourself and others
• Study and research skills.

Within these main topical blocks, the module discuss various cross-cutting themes, such as politeness, rhetorics. genre theory, generative AI etc.)

This course is delivered by Dr. Doris Dippold. Doris Dippold is the lead educator of the FutureLearn MOOC “Communicating with Diverse Audiences”which was enrolment by over 15,000 learners from 150 countries. She has published extensively on issues in professional communication, especially in educational contexts and in human-machine interaction.   

The course will be delivered as seminars, consisting of mini-lectures, class discussion and practical exercises. You will also have full access to relevant electronic materials including journal articles and books via our university library.

It is advised to allocate approximately 4 hours per week to complete the course content. This includes:

• 2 hours to take part in the class sessions
• 2 hours to complete tasks and set reading.

In addition, you will have to allocate time to complete the assessments for this module.

The course is assessed with three elements:

• A 15-minute recorded individual presentation. You will talk about your personal interest in professional communication contexts that matter to you. You will also discuss academic sources which are able to provide further information on these contexts
• A written assignment: You will presented with approximately four scenarios relating to spoken or written communication and will respond to these scenarios in writing. Tasks may include transcription, analysis, commentaries (amongst others)
• Project: You will choose a topic or issue in professional communication of interest to you. Using the concepts you have learned from the course, you will then conduct (and report on) work to address issues and problems relating to this problem or issue.

On completion of the course you will be awarded a certificate and 30 course credit. You can use the credit towards completion of the full MA in Intercultural Business Communication and Marketing or use them as transfer credits for other degree courses.