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2013/2014  BA-BLC_BAS2  British and American Studies 2

English Title
British and American Studies 2

Course information
Language English
Exam ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Mandatory
Level Bachelor
Duration One Semester
Course period Autumn
Time Table Please see course schedule at e-Campus
Study board
Study Board for BSc og MSc in Business, Language and Culture, BSc
Course coordinator
  • Department of International Business Communication
    Kevin McGovern - Department of International Business Communication (IBC)
Main academic disciplines
  • International Political Economy
  • Language and Intercultural Studies
Last updated on 11-09-2013
Learning objectives
Content:
At the end of the course students should be able to:

• describe and analyse different trends and competing models of regional integration in Europe and the Americas
• identify and discuss the central issues and underlying assumptions of UK/US discourses on relations between, respectively, Britain and Europe and the US and Latin America
• critically relate trade theory or theories of regional integration to processes of regionalism and regionalisation
• explain policy positions on issues of regional integration in view of economic factors, institutional patterns, competing interests and ideologies
• develop an independent and lucid argument on topics within the content of the course, drawing upon a range of sources

Language:
At the end of the course students should be able to:
• use a wide range of vocabulary, both general and specific to the subject matter
• use a wide range of grammatical structures correctly
• pronounce the language in a manner that facilitates communication
• present complex ideas in a coherent and cohesive manner
• employ linguistic styles appropriate to academic English
• communicate precisely and fluently on complex topics
Examination
The exam in the subject consists of two parts:
British and American Studies 2 - written (partial examination 1):
Weight50%
Examination formWritten sit-in exam
Individual or group examIndividual
There are two partial examinations in this course: an oral and a written examination at the end of the third semester, based on the course readings.

The written examination is a four-hour closed book examination in which students are required to write an essay based upon the relevant course literature.
No electronic aids or paper dictionaries are allowed.

Students are required to submit two home assignments (maximum 3 standard pages each) during hte course.

In the oral and written examinations students are graded according to the 7-point grading scale. The grade for each examination reflects both the student’s command of the course content and oral/written communication skills in English. Further details are given in the exam guidelines that students will receive during the course.
Assignment typeWritten assignment
Duration4 hours
Grading scale7-step scale
Examiner(s)Internal examiner and second internal examiner
Exam periodDecember/January
Aids allowed to bring to the examClosed Book: no aids
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
If the number of registered candidates for the make-up examination/re-take examination warrants that it may most appropriately be held as an oral examination, the programme office will inform the students that the make-up examination/re-take examination will be held as an oral examination instead.
British and American Studies 2 - oral (partial examination 2):
Weight50%
Examination formOral exam based on written product

In order to participate in the oral exam, the written product must be handed in before the oral exam; by the set deadline. The grade is based on an overall assessment of the written product and the individual oral performance.
Individual or group examIndividual
Size of written productMax. 3 pages
Assignment typeSynopsis
Duration
Written product to be submitted on specified date and time.
30 min. per student, including examiners' discussion of grade, and informing plus explaining the grade
Preparation timeNo preparation
Grading scale7-step scale
Examiner(s)Internal examiner and external examiner
Exam periodDecember/January
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
Description of the exam procedure

Prior to the oral examination, each student is required to submit a synopsis (2-3 standard pages) on a theme within the framework of the course content.
The synopsis provides the point of departure for an individual 30-minute oral examination. Overall assessment of oral performance and written product.
Present at the exam is the teacher and an external examiner.
If the synopsis is not submitted at the appropriate time, it will be regarded as non-appearance.

In the oral and written examinations students are graded according to the 7-point grading scale. The grade for each examination reflects both the student’s command of the course content and oral/written communication skills in English. Further details are given in the exam guidelines that students will receive during the course.
Course content and structure

This course provides students with some of the knowledge, understanding and skills necessary for working in markets or organisations in the US and the UK that engage in cross-border activities in their respective regions: the Americas and Europe. The course focuses on the political economy of regional integration in the cases of the US and the UK, examining the development of policy coordination and regulation of trade, investment, the environment, the macroeconomy, and security issues in regional arenas, yet in the context of both regionalisation and globalisation processes. With reference to the respective roles and interests of the US and UK, competing models of regional integration are analysed.

For example, in the case of the US, regional co-operation in the form of NAFTA and a possible FTAA, as well as alternative or complementary bilateral arrangements, are criticised by some for a narrow approach to integration centred on free trade and investment. This contrasts with the EU, where supranational institutions are vested with powers to coordinate a range of economic, social and environmental policy areas. The course thereby covers debates and tensions relating to the ongoing process of deepening and widening integration in the Americas and Europe.


While the issues examined are mainly derived from the literature of international political economy, the course also relates secondarily to culture and identities as relevant to economic and political integration. Issues and debates are examined from multiple perspectives, such as those of business, labour, consumers and environmentalists. A critical approach is taken to the issues and concepts taught, with emphasis on how different texts relate to the systems of knowledge on which they base their arguments. Finally, the course has a strong emphasis on the accumulation of subject-specific concepts and vocabulary, as well as speaking and writing the English language accurately, fluently, and in a manner appropriate to discussing complex issues at a high level.
Teaching methods
The course consists of a combination of lectures and classes, with the latter organised around student presentations of the assigned texts. In each class session, a 10-15 minute student presentation (normally two students) forms the basis of the ensuing discussion of the text(s). Presentations and class discussions are meant to complement rather than repeat the readings. Furthermore, the presentations enable the teacher to give each student individual feedback, both on his/her grasp of the content and on proficiency in English. It should be stressed that the reading load is fairly demanding.
Expected literature

To be announced on Learn
Last updated on 11-09-2013