BA_BEC Business English Composition

University of Finance and Administration
Summer 2014
Extent and Intensity
0/2. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Irena Shanahanová (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Dagmar Sieglová, M.Ed., Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Ing. Miloš Krejčí (assistant)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Dagmar Sieglová, M.Ed., Ph.D.
Subdepartment of Languages – Department of Social Sciences – Departments – University of Finance and Administration
Contact Person: Ivana Plačková
Timetable of Seminar Groups
BA_BEC/cBMPH: Thu 14:45–15:30 E228, Thu 15:45–16:29 E228, D. Sieglová
BA_BEC/cMCPH: Wed 15:45–16:29 E305, Wed 16:30–17:15 E305, I. Shanahanová
Prerequisites
Mastering English as the target language (both general and professional) at the level of B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Readiness to actively participate in seminars with an accent on writing. Home preparation and writing assignments are and integral part of the course.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
Course objectives
This course is designed to teach students corporate communication skills. Effective business writing is achieved through reading, analyzing and practicing a variety of business documentation, such as messages, letters, memos, reports and proposals. Students adapt basic business writing techniques to be able to use active voice, maintain consistency, write for particular audience, and produce a concise text. Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to: 1. Read critically to examine an author´s reasoning, assumptions and values; 2. Distinguish between formal and informal business writing, implement terminology; 3. Develop effective business writing strategies; 4. Analyze the writing of others in order to craft a strong response; 5. Formulate thoughtful and stylistically correct sentences, paragraphs, introductions, and conclusions; 6. Locate, evaluate, and summarize resource material; 7. Evaluate and work with sources of information in various media; 8. Integrate information from sources into proper business formats; 9. Adapt business writing to specific audiences and purposes; 10. Experience writing all basic types of business written communication.
Syllabus
  • 1-2 Topic: Emails. Course content: Course introduction; Characteristics of business writing, terminology; Email structure, style, form, purpose, type, length. Term project: Grant types, conditions, project ideas. Course assignment: Business email. 3-4 Topic: Business Letters. Course content: Letter structure, style, form, purpose and type. Term project: Project calls, grant conditions, application documents. Course assignment: Business letter. 5-6 Topic: Topic: Job application process. Course content: CV, cover letter, follow-up correspondence, ppt presentation, website, Facebook, LinkedIn. Term project: Application forms; Project description – goals, target groups, activities, timetables. Course assignment: CV, motivation letter, bio, email cover letter. 7-8 Topic: Social media and PR. Course content: Personal and business websites and social media presentations. Ppt presentations, brochures, flyers, advertisements; Newsletters; Press release. Term project: Attachments, formatting, proofreading. Course assignment: Press release. JOB APPLICATION PACKAGE due (W8). 9-10 Topic: Business reports. Course content: Meeting, progress, financial, incident and travel reports; Memo; Annual reports; Mission statement; Financial reports. Course assignment: Business report. 11-12 Topic: Review and summary. Course content: Course review, FINAL TEST (W12). Course assignment: BUSINESS DOCUMENTATION PORTFOLIO due (W11). GRANT APPLICATION PACKAGE due (W12).
Literature
    required literature
  • Walley, G. (2012). The Smart Guide to Business Writing. Gay Walley & Ventus Publishing ApS, e-book. www.bookboon.com
  • Wilson, K., & Wauson, J. (2011). AMA Handbook of Business Documents : Guidelines and sample documents that make business writing easy. New York: Amer. e-book.
  • Kolin, P.C. (2001). Chapter 14: Writing winning proposals. In Kolin, P.C. Successful Writing at Work. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, pp. 544-577.
  • Michael McCarthy, Felicity O'Dell. (2008). Business Vocabulary in Use Advanced: 50 Units of Academic Vocabulary Reference and Practice ; Self-study and Classroom Use. Cambridge University Press. (Chapter 63-67)
    recommended literature
  • Kolin, P.C.(2001). Successful Writing at Work. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.
  • Bailey, Stephen. Academic Writing: A Handbook for International Students. London, New York: Routlege Taylor & Francis Group, 2006. ISBN10: 0-415-38420-6 (pbk) http://www.tu-chemnitz.de/phil/english/ling/download/BATextbook.pdf
  • Ramage, J. D., Bean, J. C., & Johnson, J. (2006). The Allyn & Bacon guide to writing: Concise edition.(4th ed.). New York: Longman Publishers.
Teaching methods
Seminars in both types of study (full-time students and part-time students). The explanation of new concepts will be immediately followed by practical exercises - individual work, cooperative learning (work in pairs or groups). Home preparation (reading and writing assignments and evaluation) are an integral part of the course. Special focus will be given to the evaluation of students' progress.
Assessment methods
Course Requirements and assessment criteria: 1. Term project: Grant proposal 2. Job application package (bio, CV, motivation letter, email cover letter, ppt self-presentation, LinkedIn page) 3. Business documentation portfolio (email, business letter, business report, press release) 4. Class participation and activity Minimum attendance: 75%
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
General note: b0.
Information on the extent and intensity of the course: 24 hodin KS/semestr.
The course is also listed under the following terms Summer 2013.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.vsfs.cz/course/vsfs/summer2014/BA_BEC