Course content

This course provides an overview of the field of language and communication in professional practice. Students acquire detailed knowledge of the development of the field, as well as empirical, methodological and theoretical approaches to communication issues at a personal, group and community level. This includes verbal and written communication in professional settings, both in work life and in higher education. On this basis, students are expected to develop the ability to critically reflect on conventional communication advice and methods offered to professionals.

Learning outcome

Candidates who have completed this course will have acquired the following learning outcomes, defined as knowledge, skills and general competence:
Knowledge
The candidate
- has insight into challenges and requirements for disciplinary and interdisciplinary communication in modern work life
- has advanced knowledge of key topics, theories and issues within the field of language and communication in the professions
- has detailed knowledge of the field’s scientific roots and characteristics, and is familiar with current research and development work within the discipline
- is able to assess the appropriateness of various approaches to communication challenges in professional practice

Skills
The candidate
- is able to apply scholarly perspectives and concepts in their analysis of specific cases, both independently and in collaboration with others
- is proficient in relevant norms for scientific writing and is able to work independently on knowledge dissemination
- is able to discuss ethical issues that may arise in disciplinary and interdisciplinary communication

General competence
The candidate
- is able to reflect on specific communication challenges and their relevant social and cultural contexts
- is able to analyze and critically assess existing communication advice and techniques in various empirical contexts
- is able to contribute to innovation in research and development work on communication-related issues

Learning methods and activities

This is an introductory course in the Master’s Programme in Language and Communication in the Professions. Teaching is both digital and session-based. Student collaboration is central, and groups will be established across backgrounds.
The course will alternate between plenary session work, groups and individual work. Digital collaboration tools are used (for co-writing, digital mind maps, videos for sharing short presentations or offering feedback, digital study groups, digital polls etc.).
The course uses authentic communication issues as a starting point, and students work on these from a practical and problem-solving perspective. Issues might concern written, verbal and digital communication, such as health information online, consultations with users of NAV, collaboration in emergency medical teams, information from authorities, and text quality in professional writing. In addition, we work on various forms of communication training and communication recommendations used in various sectors.

Compulsory assignments

• Compulsory assignments
• Compulsory assignments

Specific conditions

Required previous knowledge

Assumes admission to the Master's program in language and communication in professions