Civic Communication, 7.5 credits

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to

• focus on a purpose, adapt to a rhetorical situation, and address a specific audience,
• effectively deliver speech with visual aids, and
• formulate genre-appropriate arguments in concise English.

Content

In this course, students develop the communicative skills needed to present proposals to decision-making bodies in associations and organisations and thereby contribute to change in the democratic process. They learn to plan and deliver proposals for problem solving in oral presentations with visual aids that support comprehension. They also learn how to formulate genre-appropriate arguments and express them in clear and concise English.

Examinations and grades

Civic Communication I, 1.5 credits (Code: A001)
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Civic Communication II, 6 credits (Code: A002)
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may determine which grading system is to be used. The grade must be determined by a teacher specifically nominated by the university (the examiner).

In accordance with university regulations on grading systems for first and second-cycle courses and study programmes (Vice-Chancellor’s decision ORU 2018/00929), one of the following grades is to be used: fail (U), pass (G) or pass with distinction (VG). For courses included in an international master’s programme (60 or 120 credits) or offered to the university’s incoming exchange students, the A to F grading scale is to be used. The vice-chancellor, or a person appointed by them, may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special grounds for doing so.

The grades used on this course are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Comments on grades

To pass the whole course, at least the grade E is required for each examination.
Grades A-E are converted to numbers 5-1. A weighted average mark is then generated based on the module credits of each part of the course. The full course grade is thus the result of a balanced average of the different parts of the course.

Grade A is given when the average mark is at least 4.5.
Grade B is given when the average mark is at least 3.5 but lower than 4.5.
Grade C is given when the average mark is at least 2.5 but lower than 3.5.
Grade D is given when the average mark is at least 1.5 but lower than 2.5.
Grade E is given when the average mark is lower than 1.5.

Modes of assessment

Civic Communication I, 1.5 credits (Code: A001)
Written examination.

Civic Communication II, 6 credits (Code: A002)
Oral examination

Comments on modes of assessment
Examination deadline
An examination shall be carried out at the time decided by the university. If an examination, which involves that the student can do the assignment in another place than in the university's premises (for example take-home examination), can not be submitted on time, the examiner decides how the examination shall be handled.

Supplementary assignments for a passing grade
The examiner may decide that a student who has not received a passing grade on the examination may submit supplementary assignments instead of taking a re-examination. Supplementary assignments must be carried out according to the teacher’s instructions and submitted to the teacher within one week after the student is notified of the failing grade.

For students with a documented disability, the university may approve applications for adapted or other modes of assessment.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations.

Specific entry requirements

General entry requirements for university studies.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations.

Other provisions

Teaching is carried out by distance with digital seminars.

Language of instruction
Teaching is conducted in English and the examinations are conducted in English.

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

Reading list and other learning resources

Ramage, John D; Bean, John C. & Johnson, June C. (2020)
The Allyn and Bacon Guide to Writing, 8th ed.
London: Longman (selected parts, available as e-book)

Additions and Comments
Articles and other kinds of material (100-150 pages in total) may be assigned.