Text

Course syllabus - Business Communication

Scope

7.5 credits

Course code

ENA115

Valid from

Spring semester 2027

Education level

First cycle

Progressive Specialisation

G1N (First cycle, has only upper-secondary level entry requirements)

Main area(s)

English

Organisation

Department of Social Sciences and Humanities

Ratified

2016-01-15

Revised

2025-12-19

Literature lists

Course literature is preliminary up to 8 weeks before course start. Course literature can be valid over several semesters.

    • Ratified date: 2022-11-29
    • Latest update: 2025-05-27

    Books

    Newman, Amy

    Business Communication and Character, 11th edition

    ISBN: 978-0-357-71813-1 (print) The e-book or the printed version can be used. The 10th edition, called Business Communication: in person, in print, online, can also be used.

    Other Materials

    Additional resources may be introduced by the instructor and/or have to be identified by the students themselves.

Objectives

The objective of this course is for students to acquire enhanced competence regarding spoken and written English-language communication in international business and professional contexts.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:

  1. describe the most important aspects of business communication, also from an international perspective
  2. analyze spoken and written business texts with regard to language, style, structure, content and purpose
  3. formulate different types of spoken and written business texts in English, with adequate form and content in relation to their purposes and addressees
  4. apply relevant principles for source use

Course content

  • business communication and business texts in English
  • vocabulary and grammar in business contexts
  • intercultural and digital business communication

Specific requirements

Basic eligibility and English 6

Examination

OBN1, Compulsory attendance, 0.5 credit, attendance at scheduled teaching concerning learning outcomes 1-4, grades Fail (U) or Pass (G).
SEM2, Seminar, 1 credit, active participation in scheduled teaching and learning activities, including oral presentations, concerning learning outcomes 1-4, grades Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG).
INL3, Assignment, 1.5 credits, short business texts concerning learning outcome 3, grades Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG).
INL4, Assignment, 1.5 credits, report or essay, concerning learning outcomes 1-4, grades Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG).
TEN1, Written examination, 3 credits, written examination concerning learning outcomes 1-4, grades Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG).

For a Pass with distinction (VG) on the course as a whole, the student must have earned that grade for at least 4 credits including the TEN1 examination.

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding disability study support, can request adaptions for the examination. It is the examiner who takes decisions on any adaptions, based on the certificate and other conditions.

Grade

Three-grade scale

Interim Regulations and Other Regulations

This course overlaps in part with the course Communication in English 1, as well as the courses Language in Context, Language in the Workplace, and Academic Communication in English 2, and cannot be included in a degree together with any of these.