LS3LPC: Language in Professional Communication

Module code: LS3LPC

Module provider: English Language and Applied Linguistics; School of Humanities

Credits: 20

Level: Level 3 (Honours)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Professor Sylvia Jaworska, email: s.jaworska@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Professor Rodney Jones, email: r.h.jones@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE LS1SG AND TAKE LS1ELS (Compulsory)

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: Mini placement

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module introduces students to the key aspects of professional and workplace communication.Drawing on several analytical approaches including conversation analysis, pragmatics, genre analysis, multimodality, and theories of influence and persuasion students will investigate the use of language and other semiotic resources in diverse professional contexts and evaluate how they are used to persuade, influence, negotiate identity, agency, and power. This module increases students’ awareness of key challenges and opportunities faced by graduates entering the global workforce and prepares them to become resilient professionals. This module expands on knowledge and skills developed in Part I and Part II modules specifically Discourse Analysis and Sociolinguistics but focuses specifically on professional workplace contexts online and offline.   

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Demonstrate key theoretical knowledge in relation to influence, persuasion and promotion, and the role of language and other semiotic resources therein  
2. Apply key theoretical and discourse-analytical frameworks to study professional genres 
3. Apply selected linguistic and semiotic resources to create a promotional product and to project themselves as capable and employable graduates 
4. Manage teamwork through joint activities    

Module content

The module has 10 core topics: 

1. Genre analysis and professional genres 
2. Press Release as an example of a professional genre 
3. Multimodality: analysing and creating videos  
4. Influencing and persuading  
5. Performing expertise 
6. Promoting yourself: Elevator pitch 
7. Business communication: Advertising and branding  
8. Health and science communication  
9. Politeness in workplace communication 
10. Power and bias in workplace communication  

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module is delivered through interactive lectures in which content delivery is interspersed with group activities and discussions. Students also work in small teams (groups of 3 to 5) to produce a promotional video.  

Study hours

At least 22 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs