module specification

The module introduces students to a wide range of business communications and it will therefore equip students with a solid grounding in the key skills required for academic and business communications. Emphasis is placed on the importance of engaging with the study process, as well as written and verbal communication skills within the business context. Additionally, the module includes library training sessions for an effective use of library and online resources, including the use of online databases and electronic platforms. The module will contribute to students’ academic development across the course as a whole.

The aim of this module is to:

1. Develop knowledge of and confidence in a wide range of key skills and practical techniques used in academic and business communications, including: reports, essays, blogs, newspaper articles, academic journals, briefing papers and presentations.

2. Explore the key differences between different forms of academic and business communications.

3. Assess how to effectively research, plan and structure essays, reports and presentations, whilst avoiding plagiarism.

4. Develop the ability to work effectively as part of a team and an awareness of how to maximise the effectiveness of group-work presentation.

N/A

LO1 -

Knowledge of a wide range of key skills and practical techniques used in academic and business communications
Gather, evaluate and analyse information from various sources, including library online resources and databases; industry and newspapers articles, scholarly peer reviewed journal articles, blogs and briefing papers;
Effective report writing and essay writing techniques; structure and presentation of the various forms of business communications, differences between the various forms of academic and business communications;
Reading and note-taking strategies;
The concept of plagiarism; sourcing data, presentations of quotation, graphs and figures and referencing systems.

LO2 -

Group work and presentation skills
Theories of groups (Belbin; Schein; Salyes); group culture and group norms (Tuckman; Bass And Ryterband); The Hawthorn Experiments (Alton Mayo); an awareness of how to maximise the effectiveness of group work; working effectively with varied group members;
Nature of business and business environment (SWOT analysis anf PESTLE analysis);
Sourcing data for verbal, written and digital presentation skills; confidence in presenting.

The module will be delivered over a 30-week period and consists of 3 hours workshop each week. The weekly workshops will focus on key concepts and frameworks within various key forms of business communications and their application in practice, through discussions, debates, questions and answer sessions.

The emphasis will be on group activities and preparation for the portfolio and group presentation and the development of individual and group communications and presentational skills. Students will be required to gather and evaluate information from various sources and relate contemporary business issues.

The module support independent and group learning through the module's virtual learning environment hosted on WebLearn. Here students can access resources such as workshop notes, study guides, coursework briefs, guidelines, recommended readings and feedback, as well as links to further resources. Students are encouraged to actively engage with the subject, their peers, and the tutors through the module's online discussion threads.
Reflective learning (PISO II) is incorporated into the module. Students are advised to keep a journal of experiences and personal development to analyse and reflect on the effectiveness of their learning, which will also contribute to their own portfolio.

1. Demonstrate knowledge of and confidence in a wide range of key skills and practical techniques used in academic and business communications, including gathering, evaluating and analysing information from varied sources for effective writing.

2. Develop the ability to work effectively as part of a team and an awareness of how to maximise the effectiveness of group-work presentation.

Assessment component 1 (weighting 50%) Learning outcome assessed (LO1)
The coursework will be based on the development of a portfolio through the use and application of varies forms of academic and business communications, including a review, evaluation and analysis of information from various sources, including library online resources and databases; newspaper articles, scholarly peer reviewed journal articles, blogs and briefing papers, reports and essays. The development of the portfolio will take place weekly within the workshops, and the submission of which will take place in week 21 via Weblearn/Turnitin. During the weekly workshops students will be encouraged to draw and reflect upon their own learning and that of their peers including through discussions based on the student portfolio exercises.

The design of the portfolio weekly development provides a valuable opportunity for students to receive regular formative feedback, guidance and support from the tutor during the year. In addition to this students will also be encouraged to produce and share their draft work with their peers so as to receive formative feedback from their peers and the tutor. This will also enable students to develop and reflect upon their own learning and that of their peers. Summative feedback will be provided on all assessed work in a timely manner.

Assessment component 2 (weight 50%) Learning outcome assessed (LO2):
Group presentation will be based on an analysis of a contemporary business issue as discussed with the tutor, and the provision of business answers/solutions to that issue.
The presentation will last for 10 minutes with up to an addition 5 minutes to answer questions from the audience and will take place in weeks 23-24

The group presentation will be assessed by the following:
criteria:
- The team’s ability to construct a realistic and relevant business issue;
- The team’s ability to provide appropriate analysis and solutions to the business issue, and draw conclusions from secondary data;
- Evidence of strong teamwork;
- Evidence of a professional approach to business presentations.

This presentation must be a collection of individual team members’ contribution to the task. Therefore all members of the team must contribute to the task. To this end, it is important that each team should keep a diary of team meetings, preparation, individual responsibilities and contribution of each team member to the above task. The summarised and signed team diary should be handed in when required.

Where it is not possible (and agreed with the tutor in writing) to deliver a group
presentation, students will be provided with an alternative form of assessment.

Students must pass on aggregate.

Arrangements for formative and summative feedback
The arrangement for formative and summative feedback is based on the university assessment framework and the QAA guidelines. Students will receive both oral and written feedback on their assignment. Students are strongly encouraged to show their draft to their tutor for comments. Students will also be provided with detailed feedback both in-class and via Turnitin where applicable.

Core Text:
Cottrell, S (2019) The study skills handbook, 5th ed., Palgrave Macmillian, Basingstoke

Other Texts:
Cottrell, S (2017) Critical thinking skills: effective analysis, argument and reflection, 3rd ed., Palgrave Macmillian, Basingstoke
Cottrell, S (2015) Skills for Success: Personal Development and Employability, 3rd ed., Palgrave Macmillian, Basingstoke
Gallagher, K (2016) Essential study and employment skills for business and management students, 3rd ed., Oxford : Oxford University Press
Forsyth, P (2018) Business writing, Smart Skills Series, EBook Central
Wilson, K and Wauson, J (2010) The AMA handbook of business writing : the ultimate guide to style, grammar, usage, punctuation, construction, and formatting, New York : American Management Association
Blake, G (c1995) Quick tips for better business writing, New York : McGraw-Hill
Steiner-Williams, J (2015)  Business Writing Strategies, Carpenteria, California: lynda.com
Steiner-Williams, J (2015)  Business Writing Fundamentals, Carpenteria, California: lynda.com
Talbot, F (2016) How to Write Effective Business English, Kogan Page
Atkinson, I (2011) FT Essential Guide to Business Writing, Pearson
Al-Maskari, K (2013) A Practical Guide to Business Writing: Writing in English for Non-Native Speakers, Wiley
Loizou, Andreas (2015) Smack my Pitch Up: Business Writing Success, Urbane

Journals:
International Journal of Business Communication (http://journals.sagepub.com/home/job)
Journal of Mass Communication and Journalism, at:
(https://www.omicsonline.org/mass-communication-journalism.php)

Websites:
Writing for the Web, at:
(http://www.bbc.co.uk/academy/journalism/article/art20130702112133610)
Press Gazette Business Journalism, at: (http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/category/news/b2b)

Electronic Databases:
Keynotes
Mintel Marketing Intelligence
Euromonitor

Other relevant books, articles and other resources would be recommended as required during the academic year.