Course title : English for Business CommuncationCourse title : English for Business CommuncationCourse title: English for Business CommuncationCourse Code: ENG131Level: Foundation level (bachelor’s degree level)ECTS Credits: 15.00Open or restricted access : OpenRequired previous knowledge: General study competenceTeaching semester : AutumnNumber of semesters : 1Examination semester : Autumn

IntroductionThis is an independent course directed towards both students and employees of business companies. The aim of the course is to enhance the student's ability to take part in international business communication in English, with a focus on linguistic and cultural factors. 

Learning outcome Knowledge:

After having completed the course, the student has:

-Knowledge of a basic vocabulary of business communication in English

-Knowledge of basic genres of business communication

-Some knowledge of common mistakes in language structure and pronunciation, and how to avoid these.

-Some knowledge of how cultural factors affect business communication.

 

Skills:

After having completed the course, the student should be able to:

-Communicate in an effective and adequate way in a situation of business both in written and oral English

-Refect on some of the challenges of international business communication

-Reflect on aspects of own's own culture and language and how these aspects will affect one's own participation in international business communication 

General competence

- being able to process and assess the value and relevance of extensive amounts of information

- being able to use appropriate terminology about business communication

- being able to express oneself precisely and nuanced in idiomatic English

- be respectful of different cultures of business and negotiations

Organization and work methods Teaching alternates between lectures, discussions, group work, and individual work. The students must organize groups for working on tasks outside of the hours of teaching.

Coursework requirements The student must create a portfolio consisting of:

-An essay of ca. 1000 words

-A business report of ca. 300-500 words

-A compilation of E-mails in English of ca. 200 words combined

-A 10-minute oral power point presentation (the power point slides should be included in the portfolio) 

Assessment and examination The student will be assessed based on the portfolio. There will be an oral exam to adjust the written grade. The oral exam will consist of a discussion of topics covered in the portfolio and topics covered by the course reading list and in class.   

Grading scaleA-F, A is the best grade and E is the lowest passing grade

Grading

Grading will be done in accordance with the Regulations governing studies and examinations at Volda University College.

Evaluation and quality assurance Evaluation and quality assurance will be done in accordance with the Regulations governing studies and examinations at Volda University College.

Minimum number of students required: 10

Maximum number of students accepted: 30

Person with course responsibility : Alf Tomas Tønnessen, phone number: 7007 5456, e-mail: toenness@hivolda.no

Faculty: Humanities and EduCourse title : Literature and culture after 1900Course title : Literature and culture after 1900Course title: Litteratur og kultur etter 1900Course Code: ENG142Level: Foundation level (bachelor’s degree level)ECTS Credits: 15.00Open or restricted access : OpenRequired previous knowledge: Higher Education Entrance QualificationTeaching semester : AutumnNumber of semesters : 1Examination semester : AutumnSyllabus: Download as PDF

IntroductionThis course provides an introduction to English literature and culture after 1900. The majority of texts and topics will be taken from Britain and America, but other parts of the world will also be represented. Students will concentrate on explicating literary texts and exploring historical, social, and political issues. A range of literary genres will be represented and students will also be introduced to the standard terms and techniques of literary and cultural analysis. Texts will both be related to, and used to illuminate, relevant historical, social and cultural issues.

Learning outcome After completing the course, the student will possess knowledge about:

aspects of the history and society of the UK, US and other English-speaking countries after 1900

the interplay between social history and literature during this period

the main formal and thematic characteristics of literary genres and historical, social, economic and cultural trends after 1900

individual texts and genres of the modern period

After completing the course, the student is able to:

analyse and interpret modern literary texts in English, using standard methods of literary criticism

evaluate and interpret the significance of political and historical events in English-speaking countries after 1900

write persuasively and effectively in academic English

Organisation and work methods:

Teaching takes the form of lectures, discussions, group work and individual study.

Coursework requirements:

Each student is required to submit two essays that must be approved if the student is to be permitted to sit for the final exam. One of these will be a literature essay of c.2000 words; the other a 1500-word essay on a social or cultural theme from an English-speaking country. Each student will receive feedback from the instructors on these essays, provided that each essay is submitted within the deadlines posted at the start of the semester. If an essay is not accepted at first submission, the student has the right to submit a new version.

Organization and work methods Teaching takes the form of lectures, discussions, group work and individual study.

Coursework requirements Each student is required to submit two essays that must be approved if the student is to be permitted to sit for the final exam. One of these will be a literature essay of c.2000 words; the other a 1000-word essay on a social or cultural theme from an English-speaking country. Each student will receive feedback from the instructors on these essays, provided that each essay is submitted within the deadlines posted at the start of the semester. If an essay is not accepted at first submission, the student has the right to submit a new version.

Assessment and examination Final assessment in the course is based on two exams: a 6-hour written Fronter exam in literature (which counts 2/3 of the grade) and an oral exam in culture (which counts 1/3 of the grade). 

Permitted examination support material

Permitted examination support material:

Grading scale

Grading

Evaluation and quality assurance The course will be evaluated in accordance with the University College’s routines for quality assurance.

Maximum number of students accepted: 60

Person with course responsibility : Alf Tomas Tønnessen/Timothy Saunders

Faculty: Humanities and Education

Cation

Course title : Grammar and lexicologyCourse title : Grammar and lexicologyCourse title: Grammatikk og leksikologiCourse Code: ENG141Level: Foundation level (bachelor’s degree level)ECTS Credits: 15.00Open or restricted access : OpenRequired previous knowledge: Higher Education Entrance QualificationTeaching semester : AutumnNumber of semesters : 1Examination semester : Autumn

IntroductionThe course provides a basic introduction to English grammar and lexicology, with emphasis on morphology, syntax and vocabulary.

Learning outcome After completing the course, the students prossesses knowledge about:

- English morphology, with particular emphasis on the verbal and nominal systems

- English syntax

- the relationship between form and meaning in English grammar

- central concepts within English lexicology, etymology and word formation

After completing the course, the student is able to:

- identify and analyse elements of English language usage on different levels

- reflect on the effect of a variety of grammatical structures

- use their knowledge about English grammar to improve their English language usage

- analyse and discuss the use of words in English and their relation to meaning and style

Organization and work methods Teaching takes the form of lectures, exercises, pair/group work and individual work.

Coursework requirements Each student must submit two short written assignments (400-800 words each). Both of these must be passed for a student to sit for the final exam. The course convener decides if these assignments are to be submitted individually or in groups. The assignments must be submitted within a deadline posted at the start of the semester.

Assessment and examination Final assessment in the course is based on a 6 hour written exam.

Permitted examination support materialNone

Grading scale-

GradingGrading will be done in accordance with the Regulations governing studies and examinations at Volda University College.

Evaluation and quality assurance

The course will be evaluated in accordance with the University College’s routines for quality assurance.

Maximum number of students accepted: 50

Person with course responsibility : Kjetil Myskja, phone: 70 07 50 78, e-mail: km@hivolda.no

Faculty: Humanities and Education