Course syllabus
(6533) INGLÉS PARA LOS MEDIOS DE COMUNICACIÓN /ENGLISH FOR MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION

Academic term 2024/2025

Spanish course syllabus

  1. Identification

    1. About the course

      2. Academic Term
      2024/2025
      Degree
      GRADO EN ESTUDIOS DE COMUNICACIÓN Y MEDIOS/BACHELOR IN COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA STUDIES
      Course
      INGLÉS PARA LOS MEDIOS DE COMUNICACIÓN /ENGLISH FOR MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION
      Code
      6533
      Year
      PRIMERO
      Course type
      FORMACIÓN BÁSICA
      Number of groups
      1
      ECTS
      6.0
      Estimation of workload
      150.0
      Timeline
      2º Cuatrimestre
      Languages
      English
      Spanish
      Academic Term 2024/2025
      Degree

      GRADO EN ESTUDIOS DE COMUNICACIÓN Y MEDIOS/BACHELOR IN COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA STUDIES
      Course INGLÉS PARA LOS MEDIOS DE COMUNICACIÓN /ENGLISH FOR MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION
      Code 6533
      Year PRIMERO
      Course type FORMACIÓN BÁSICA
      Number of groups 1
      ECTS 6.0
      Estimation of workload 150.0
      Timeline 2º Cuatrimestre
      Languages English, Spanish

    2. Teaching staff

      • FERNANDEZ TOLEDO, MARIA PIEDAD Professor: GRUPO 1 Group coordination: GRUPO 1 Course coordinator

        Category

        PROFESORES TITULARES DE UNIVERSIDAD

        Area

        FILOLOGÍA INGLESA

        Department

        FILOLOGÍA INGLESA

        Email / Personal web page / Online tutoring sessions

        piedad@um.es Online tutoring sessions: Sí

        Phone number and office hours

        Duration:
        A         		Day:
        Jueves         		Hours:
        12:30-14:00         		Place:
        868887248, Facultad de Comunicación y Documentación B1.1.017
        Remarks:
        Para tutorías presenciales, se recomienda contactar antes con Piedad de cara a acordar fecha y hora
        Duration:
        A         		Day:
        Martes         		Hours:
        12:30-14:00         		Place:
        868887248, Facultad de Comunicación y Documentación B1.1.017
        Remarks:
        Para tutorías presenciales, se recomienda contactar antes con Piedad de cara a acordar fecha y hora

  2. Presentation

    3. English for Media and Communication involves the practice of academic skills and vocabulary applied to the field of Media and Communication, in a dynamic approach based on CLIC (Content and Language Integrated Curriculum) and the implementation of a project- based methodology.

    The aim is for students to further develop their prior knowledge of English, applying it to the academic, specialized context through the use of authentic, holistic tasks combining different language skills (Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing) and academic ones (searching for information, using sources in written assignments, presenting own work, managing reference works and so on).

    The use of authentic stuff akin to varied discursive genres -both academic and professional - will be fostered, together with the explicit attention to form and the analyisis/recognition of language and generic conventions In order to achieve this, the comparison-contrast of professional and academic related genres will be sought as a pedagogical tool.

    Both through the selection of stuff and of topics to work on as groups, the following sustainable development objectives will be pursued:

    • Objective 4: Quality Education, stressing the importance of long-life education, the development of multiple literacies (with emphasis on the development of critical literacy at this specific learning stage) and autonomous learning
    • Objective 5: Genre equality, focusing on students' own university context and age groups
    • Objective 12: Social Responsibility regarding production and consumption, to reinforce both individual and group responsibility regarding sustainable life styles

  3. Conditions of access to the course

    1. Incompatibilities

      2. There are no records

    2. Requirements

      3. There are no records

    3. Recommendations

      4. Students should integrate the extensive reading practice in their everyday academic work, and make an effort to get acquainted with the diverse discourse and genre formats, especially those akin to the professional (ie related to Communication and Media professional practices) and academic contexts.

      Autonomous work on grammar and discourse aspects can be of great benefit when starting university degree, and more so in the case of bilingual education. In this respect, our university holds varied resources in different formats for individual learning, as well as textbooks for improving the different language skills in an academic environment. Once registered, students will also be able to access links and resources in Aula Virtual, aimed to language practice and reinforcing.

  4. Competencies

    1. Basic competencies

      • CB1: Que los estudiantes hayan demostrado poseer y comprender conocimientos en un área de estudio que parte de la base de la educación secundaria general, y se suele encontrar a un nivel que, si bien se apoya en libros de texto avanzados, incluye también algunos aspectos que implican conocimientos procedentes de la vanguardia de su campo de estudio
      • CB2: Que los estudiantes sepan aplicar sus conocimientos a su trabajo o vocación de una forma profesional y posean las competencias que suelen demostrarse por medio de la elaboración y defensa de argumentos y la resolución de problemas dentro de su área de estudio
      • CB3: Que los estudiantes tengan la capacidad de reunir e interpretar datos relevantes (normalmente dentro de su área de estudio) para emitir juicios que incluyan una reflexión sobre temas relevantes de índole social, científica o ética
      • CB4: Que los estudiantes puedan transmitir información, ideas, problemas y soluciones a un público tanto especializado como no especializado
      • CB5: Que los estudiantes hayan desarrollado aquellas habilidades de aprendizaje necesarias para emprender estudios posteriores con un alto grado de autonomía

    2. Degree competencies

      • CG2: Ser capaz de comprender y expresarse en lengua inglesa (escrita y oral) en el nivel propio de un B2 para ejercer debidamente la labor profesional o investigadora en el campo de la comunicación social y proyectarla a un ámbito internacional.
      • CG3: Desarrollar las capacidades de trabajo en equipo requeridas en la práctica profesional de la comunicación (redacción, edición, preproducción, realización y postproducción de contenidos).
      • CG8: Ser capaz de utilizar eficazmente las tecnologías informática y multimedia para ejercer debidamente la labor profesional en el campo de la comunicación social desarrollando servicios de información y aplicaciones interactivas.
      • CE1: Identificar las principales tendencias y áreas de los estudios de comunicación y medios, con atención especial a los aspectos económicos, políticos, sociales, culturales y ambientales.
      • CE5: Capacidad y habilidad de exponer razonadamente ideas, en ámbitos académicos y profesionales, por medio de la retórica y la argumentación, así como de las técnicas comunicativas aplicadas a la persuasión.
      • CE7: Capacidad y habilidad para aplicar los criterios de interés periodístico y desempeñar las tareas de búsqueda, selección, jerarquización, redacción y presentación de la información en distintos soportes, aplicando diferentes estructuras narrativas.

    3. Transversal and course competencies

      There are no records

  5. Contents

    1. Theoretical contents

      2. Theme 1: Studying abroad: CVs and applications

      • CV and application language conventions and intercultural differences: block style, parallelism, present and past participles, application-related vocabulary and functions
      • Promoting yourself in application letters and personal statements
      • Academic English: nominal style and jargon
      • Block style
      • Present and past participles
      • Sentence construction
      • Vocabulary and conventions related to letter writing and applications

      Theme 2: Writing different essay types

      • Paragraphs: Coherence and cohesion; structure: Topic and supporting sentences
      • Essay types (general to particular or funnel sequencing; comparison-contrast; argumentative essays; narrative essays)
      • Academic discourse: Conventions and stylistic aspects; academic titles
      • Self and peer assessment
      • Writing processes: Outlining and paragraph development (introductory, body and closing paragraphs)

      Theme 3: Analysing texts as genre and discourse types

      • Genres: communicative intentions and structuring/ functions
      • Tools for identifying and understanding different genres in their context of communication
      • Promotional genres and evaluation: Reviews and related genres
      • Reporting genres: News reports, scientific reports, executive summaries
      • Academic vs. everyday vs. professional registers (terminology and phraseology aspects included)
      • Reporting facts vs. expressing opinion

      Theme 4: Outlining and presenting a plan: Research proposals

      • Proposals and other genres which involve planning
      • Language aspects related to aims, plans, procedures
      • Links and transition signals
      • Modality: hedging and boosting
      • Content keywords vs. genre markers

      Theme 5: Using sources as support for your writing

      • Using sources in academic writing through English: referencing, paraphrasing, quoting and sythesizing practice
      • Use of punctuation in references and quotations
      • Revision of APA 7 Guidelines
      • Integrating sources in your writing for different purposes

      Theme 6: Reporting research: Report types and academic report formats

      • Academic and non-academic report formats and genres: anual reports, papers, executive summaries
      • The language of research processes: approaches, strategies and techniques
      • Online surveys and questionnaire design
      • Academic report formats: articles, proceedings, abstract, posters
      • Reporting: reporting verbs, time markers
      • Using visuals to present data/findings
      • Punctuation and sentence construction

      Theme 7: Presenting research findings to an audience

      • From oral presentation to written report: genre conventions
      • Presentation formats: Posters and abstracts
      • Using different types of visuals to present data
      • Rewriting and proofreading; avoiding plagiarism
      • Transition markers and punctuation

    2. Practical contents

      • Practical activity 1: CV writing

        Adapting CVs to adverts and posts/ Following the EU format for CV writing / Sentence, vocabulary and stylistic related aspects

        Related to:
        • Theme 1: Studying abroad: CVs and applications

      • Practical activity 2: Writing an application letter (promoting yourself)

        Writing succesful job application letters and academic personal statements

        Related to:
        • Theme 1: Studying abroad: CVs and applications

      • Practical activity 3: Outlining different essay types

        • Writing outlines for different essay types
        • Identifying main ideas and supporting ideas/information
        • Aligning titles to essay types
        Related to:
        • Theme 2: Writing different essay types

      • Practical activity 4: Writing and proof-checking the essay

        • Writing the complete essay following the basic rules (essay structure, paragraphing, grammar, spelling and punctuation, and overall coherence)
        • Proof-checking: Stages and tools. Peer reviewing
        Related to:
        • Theme 2: Writing different essay types

      • Practical activity 5: Identifying and analysing genres

        • Identifying different genre instances by using a discourse-genre identification template
        • Informative, promotional and scientific discourses and genres
        • Understanding newspaper cartoons as opinion genres
        Related to:
        • Theme 3: Analysing texts as genre and discourse types

      • Practical activity 6: Planning a group research project: Proposals

        • Deciding objectives, hypotheses and method/action for a feasible short research work related to SDO and applied to the students' own context.
        • Writing a research proposal / plan, using a guide as a template.
        Related to:
        • Theme 4: Outlining and presenting a plan: Research proposals

      • Practical activity 7: Using sources: Referencing and quoting

        • Finding sources for the group research
        • Practice of referencing and quoting in English following APA 7th. Guidelines
        • Making a reference list
        Related to:
        • Theme 5: Using sources as support for your writing
        • Theme 6: Reporting research: Report types and academic report formats

      • Practical activity 8: Reporting research: Understanding reports and academic report formats

        • Understanding reports and their findings: Analysing report structure using a template
        • Identifying report main contents in different formats: Executive summaries, abstracts, posters.
        • Understanding and practising different types of visuals (graphics, tables, pie charts, barts, etc.) to present data
        Related to:
        • Theme 5: Using sources as support for your writing
        • Theme 6: Reporting research: Report types and academic report formats

      • Practical activity 9: Summarising and paraphrasing

        • Use of referencing and paraphrasing as ethical academic practices in order to avoid plagiarism
        • Practice of summarising and paraphrasing information from different sources using appropriate vocabulary and language conventions
        • Summarising / paraphrasing own sources, after grading their importance for the own group's piece of research.
        Related to:
        • Theme 5: Using sources as support for your writing
        • Theme 6: Reporting research: Report types and academic report formats

      • Practical activity 10: Synthesizing sources

        • Distinguishing paraphrase from synthesis, knowing when to use one or another
        • Synthesizing practice, using own previously searched sources
        Related to:
        • Theme 5: Using sources as support for your writing
        • Theme 6: Reporting research: Report types and academic report formats

      • Practical activity 11: Tips for oral and written reporting

        • Oral presentation strategies (report structuring; transition markers; body language and communication strategies)
        • Presenting visual data and information using the appropriate language conventions for different purposes (to compare and contrast; to show fluctuations or changes over time; to express correlations, etc.)
        Related to:
        • Theme 5: Using sources as support for your writing
        • Theme 6: Reporting research: Report types and academic report formats
        • Theme 7: Presenting research findings to an audience

      • Practical activity 12: Presenting research findings to an audience as a poster

        • Using IMRD-related conventions: generic markers; tense and voice; use of links
        • Summarising information as posters using infographics.
        • Proofreading (Cohesion and coherence; grammar, style, punctuation and spelling)
        • Inclusion of referencing devices.
        Related to:
        • Theme 5: Using sources as support for your writing
        • Theme 6: Reporting research: Report types and academic report formats
        • Theme 7: Presenting research findings to an audience

  6. Training activities

    7. Training Activity Methodology Hours In-person
    AF1: Exposición teórica (exposición de los contenidos teóricos de la asignatura por parte del profesorado, también se contemplan las sesiones informativas sobre el desarrollo del trabajo fin de grado).

    CONTENT EXPLANATIONS AND CLASS MANAGEMENT:

    • Brief presentation of main contents for every unit: outline, references and evaluation criteria for task completion; methodological and class management explanations.
    • Class management-related instructions and explanations during task completion by students.
    • Language and content-related clarifications.
    • Feedback on students' tasks
    • Information on evaluation criteria for class/ home assignments.
    		 13.0 100.0
    AF2: Seminarios y actividades de aula: (Exposición, análisis y debate dentro del contexto de aplicaciones específicas de contenidos teóricos, así como planteamiento y resolución de ejercicios y casos prácticos en el aula tanto al grupo completo como en grupos reducidos. También se contemplan conferencias, debates y seminarios temáticos).
    • Group and individual task completion during lessons.
    • Small group discussion/ problem-solving.
    • Whole group debates.
    • Oral presentations by groups.
    		 24.0 100.0
    AF3: Prácticas de laboratorio y/o informática (Ejercicios y resolución de problemas, aprendizaje orientado a proyectos, estudio de casos, exposición y discusión de trabajos, simulaciones y/o prácticas con ordenadores, generalmente desarrolladas en grupos reducidos).
    • Project-related small group work.
    • Language and discourse-related simulations.
    • Peer reviewing.
    		 12.0 100.0
    AF4: Trabajo autónomo del alumno (Estudio y preparación de contenidos teóricos-prácticos, trabajo individual consistente en lecturas, búsquedas de información, sistematización de contenidos o estudio para la elaboración de casos entre otras actividades).
    • Student work on linguistic contents to be dealt in class.
    • Extensive reading of sources recommended as part of the individual work during the term.
    		 90.0 0.0
    AF5: Tutorías formativas y resolución de dudas: (Asistencia individualizada - tutorías individuales- o en grupo -tutorías colectivas- a los estudiantes por parte del profesor).
    • Individual tutoring for clarifications over feedback provided or content/ practice- related doubts.
    • Group tutoring along the term to check project and course develoment (minimum of two visits per group, individual tutoring as needed).
    		 6.0 100.0
    AF6: Evaluación (Pruebas individuales, ya sean escritas o con medios informáticos, en donde el estudiante demostrará los conocimientos teóricos- prácticos adquiridos durante las actividades formativas asociadas a la enseñanza de la materia. En el caso del trabajo fin de grado se contempla la posibilidad de una exposición pública y defensa ante un tribunal evaluador).
    • Mid-term and final exams.
    • Mid-term and final oral presentations.
    		5.0 100.0
    Total 150.00

  7. Course schedule

    8. https://www.um.es/web/estudios/grados/comunicacion-medios/2024-25#horarios

  8. Assessment systems

    9. Identifier Name of the assessment tool Assessment criteria Weighting
    SE1 Exámenes individuales (pruebas objetivas, de desarrollo, de respuesta corta, de ejecución de tareas o de escala de actitudes, realizadas por los/as alumnos/as para mostrar los conocimientos teóricos y prácticos adquiridos ya sea de forma escrita o utilizando un ordenador).

    Final exam on the course contents, with the following parts:

    • Use of English(vocabulary, terminology, phraseology, grammar and discourse) (20 marks)
    • Listening comprehension(10 marks)
    • Reading comprehension (10 marks)

    50% of the exam needs to be achieved in order to add this to the rest of evaluation items.

    Evaluation criteria:

    • Command of English language for academic and special purposes.
    • Degree of discourse and generic competence regarding course contents.
    • Time management.
    		 40.0
    SE2 Informes escritos, trabajos y proyectos (trabajos escritos, memorias, portafolios, entregables en formato digital realizados de forma individual o en grupo. Se contempla la posibilidad de la exposición de los resultados obtenidos y procedimientos aplicados, así como respuestas razonadas a las posibles cuestiones que se plantee en el contexto de la presentación).

    a) Projects during the term, involving different written and oral assignments (e.g. essay, proposal, report writing or others involving analysis) (25 marks)

    Assessment criteria: These will be specified for each assignment or task, but will consist mainly of the following:

    • Appropriate use of generic and discourse-related conventions
    • Adequate use of spelling and punctuation
    • Paragraph and global coherence and clarity when writing
    • Finding and including relevant sources when required
    • Critical stance in the analysis and discussion of data / documents

    b) Oral presentations (15 marks)

    Project and assignment results will be presented by groups in class, both during the term and by the end of it

    Assessment criteria:

    • Appropriate use of generic and discursive conventions (use of structuring, jargon, markers and intonation)
    • Individual fluency
    • Communicative ability in order to convey messages (body language included)
    • Clarity and global coherence
    • Relevance and quality of slides used as a guide for the audience
    		40.0
    SE3 Procedimientos de observación del trabajo del estudiante (registros de participación, de realización de actividades, cumplimiento de plazos, participación en foros, informes de seguimiento del trabajo fin de grado)

    Assessment criteria:

    a) Regular assessment of student work over the term (10 marks)

    Some of the criteria for class work assessment will be:

    • Willingness to take part and collaborate as shown in students' attitudes during the sessions
    • Meeting of deadlines
    • Appropriate use of English for both reception and production skills
    • The command of generic and discursive conventions dealt with in previous sessions
    • Good command of academic conventions in writing (accuracy in the use of basic vocabulary, terminology and phraseology already learnt; spelling and punctuation; layout and overall clarity)
    • Active participation in problem solving tasks and both virtual (forum) and class debates

    b) Correct use of portfolio (Dropbox) and management of own learning: (10 marks)

    Each student / group will upload the revised versions of assignments checked by the lecturer, together with further versions based on the feedback provided. This effort will be highly valued, as a way to further develop own's command of English. There will be a deadline for uploading to Dropbox all that has been worked on during the sessions (Dropbox), either individually or as part of a group. The assessment criteria will be:

    • meeting deadlines and uploading the first two versions of each writing or written task (the original one and the one corrected by the lecturer;
    • the inclusion of a new improved version based on feedback;
    • attendance to class, seminars and tutorials, establishing a good communication with the lecturer regarding own's work development, whatever the entrance level;
    • adequate use of resources, from either Aula Virtual or published stuff used for class, in order to improve the level and command of English for academic and specific purposes.
    		20.0

  9. Exam dates

    10. https://www.um.es/web/estudios/grados/comunicacion-medios/2024-25#examenes

  10. Learning outcomes

    • Degree of attainment regarding the use of English language, competence and skills in written and oral comprehension of conventional academic genres at an advanced level
    • Degree of adquisition regarding use of English language, competence and skills in written and oral production of conventional academic genres at an advanced level
    • Degree of attainment regarding the use of English language, competence and skills in written and oral comprehension of conventional academic genres at an advanced level
    • Degree of attainment regarding the comprehension of frequent genres in Communication and Media at an advanced level
    • Degree of attainment regarding the written and oral use of basic genres in the Communication and Media sphere at an advanced level, showing discourse and generic competence in their use for their conventional communicative purposes

  11. Bibliography

    12. Group: GRUPO 1

    Basic bibliography

  12. Remarks

    13. Plagiarism: If detected, plagiarism should be severely fined, according to our department rules (http://wwwumes/dp-filologia-inglesa/documentos/plagiarismpdf)

    Methodological approach:

    A content and language- based will be used for class sessions, with the aim of applying it to specific topics and practices akin to Media and Communication, with a special attention to the use of terminology, phraseology and conventional language uses. One of the goals is for students to get familiar with the most common discursive and generic practices through English through the use of authentic material in most cases.

    Focus on form will be also part of the sessions, with reflections on typical language patterns and resources linked to the different communicative goals.

    Collaborative work will be pursued, as much as the students' autonomy regarding their own learning. Aula Virtual will be the intranet through which language learning will be facilitated, as a support for class development and communication, and as a resource bank for individual practice of selected contents.

    SDOs:

    In our subject sustainable development objectives 4, 5, and 12 will be tackled, both overtly and through the selection of learning material.

    SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS

    Those students with disabilities or special educational needs may contact the Service of Attention to Diversity and Volunteering (ADYV - https://www.um.es/adyv) to receive guidance on better use of their training process and, where appropriate, the adoption of measures of equalization and improvement for inclusion, under the Rectoral Resolution R-358/2016. The treatment of information about this student body, in compliance with the LOPD, is strictly confidential.

    STUDENT EVALUATION REGULATIONS

    Article 8.6 of the Student Evaluation Regulation (REVA) provides that "except in the case of activities defined as compulsory in the teaching guide, if the student is unable to follow the continuous evaluation process due to duly justified supervening circumstances, he/she shall be entitled to take a global test".

    It is also recalled that Article 22.1 of the Student Evaluation Regulations (REVA) stipulates that "the student who uses fraudulent conduct, including the improper attribution of identity or authorship, or is in possession of means or instruments that facilitate such conduct, will obtain a grade of zero in the evaluation procedure and, where appropriate, may be subject to sanction, after opening disciplinary proceedings".