ØASPR3000 International Business Communication Course description

Pass / Fail

IBC is an advanced English course which builds on the course Professional English. A large part of the syllabus is related to topics in International Business and International Economics.

Internal

Scientific method; internal and external validity; single-case experimental designs; Empirically Supported Treatments

The pedagogical approach includes:

• Lectures, group work, discussions and case studies
• Written and oral assignments
• Assignment review in class
• Student talks/presentations
• Independent study

Regular attendance and active participation in classroom activities are expected.

The following coursework requirements must have been approved in order for the student to take the exam:

• Coursework 1: An individually written text analysis of approximately 2 pages
• Coursework 2: An individually written essay of approximately 1000 words + footnotes and bibliography
• Coursework 3: A 7-minute oral presentation, in groups of 2-3 students
• Coursework 4: Participation in obligatory case which consists of group work and an oral presentation of 7 minutes

Feedback will be given on all assignments.

The purpose of these assignments is to give the students practice in writing and speaking English at an advanced level and prepare them for the written and oral exams in IBC.

All required coursework must be completed and approved by the given deadline in order for the student to take the exam. If one or more coursework requirements have not been approved, the student will be given the opportunity to submit an improved version by the given deadline.

The exam in the course consists of two parts: an individual written supervised exam and oral exam.

1) Individual written supervised exam (5 hours) consisting of three parts:

• a Norwegian-English translation
• a text for comprehension and analysis, and questions from the syllabus in English for Business Studies
• an essay on a topic from international politics, economy or culture

The written exam counts for 53% of the final grade in the course.

2) Oral exam (25 minutes) consisting of:

• a 7-minute presentation of an individually chosen topic on a current political, social or economic issue (PowerPoint allowed, but no manuscript)
• questioning on a topic drawn from international politics, economy or culture
• discussion of works of fiction

The oral exam counts for 47% of the final grade in the course.

The student gets two separate grades, one for the written and one for the oral exam.

Both exams must be passed in order to pass the course. If one of the exam components is evaluated as not passed, the failed component may be retaken.

The following aids are permitted for the individual written supervised exam:

• Only one ordinary English-English dictionary, for instance Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

No aids are permitted for the oral exam.

Grade scale A - F

Both the exam papers and the oral exam are assessed by one internal and one external examiner.