World Englishes and Business Discourse - Single View

Having the tenets of World Englishes as its main theoretical background, this course aims at encouraging students to reflect on business discourse in different cultures. In this frame, World Englishes should be understood as the study of regional/national varieties of English and their particularities. As for the approach to business discourse, different theoretical and research perspectives will be taken into account in the study of business written and spoken genres (e.g., business letters, company replies to customers, negotiations, etc.). Students are expected to get acquainted with theory/research methods in the area and develop their own mini-research projects.

Sessions will be divided in the following way:

Sessions 1 to 5 - Introduction, theoretical issues, and research strategies.
Sessions 6 to 8 - Seminars on theoretical topics.
Sessions 9 to 14 - Seminars based on research articles + mini-research project results
Session 15 - Wrap-up / Feedback session

Assessment Methods:

2 LPs: In-class activities (20 points) + seminar based on a research article (80 points)

3 LPs: In-class activities (20 points) + seminar based on a research article (40 points) and on the group's self-developed mini-research project (40 points)

Passing grade: 60 points

Learning Goals:

Engaged students who come to class regularly, participate actively in discussions, and complete all readings and written assignments will be able to:

1. Identify the basic premises of (and counter-arguments to) World Englishes and Business Discourse studies.
2. Identify major issues that might hamper business discourse.
3. Demonstrate the ability to read, evaluate, and interpret articles on the topics of World Englishes and Business Discourse.
4. Select important information in a research article and summarize it.
5. Apply scientific principles to analyze data in Business Discourse.
6. Apply research methods in Business Discourse, including design, data collection, data analysis, and interpretation to a research project.
7. Contrast results of their research project to research previously done in the area.
8. Present their research project to the group.
9. Work effectively in groups.
10. Communicate effectively in an oral presentation.
11. Give and receive feedback on oral presentations.

Mini-research project and seminar presentation. In-class activities will also be graded.