COURSE DESCRIPTION
1. Foundation Courses
EPC 511 English Language Skills for Academic Studies 3(3-0-9)
Prerequisite : non-prerequisite
Academic speaking genres such as presenting arguments, and leading a discussion and seminar. Note taking from academic listening and reading. Critical reading. Academic writing genres including assignments, summaries, paraphrases, and literature review. Understanding and developing arguments in academic writing. Writing process covering finding and narrowing down a topic, finding and evaluating resources, outlining, drafting, and revising and editing. Academic integrity and avoiding plagiarism through quoting and referencing. Cognitive skills necessary for effective performance such as logical thinking, developing arguments, etc.
2. Compulsory courses
EPC 531 Principles of Communication and Language Use 3(3-0-9)
Prerequisite : non-prerequisite
Evolution of human communication. Definition and components of communication including perception and listening. Verbal and non-verbal communication. Intercultural communication. Interpersonal communication. Group and team communication. Organizational culture and communication. Communication through information technology. Ethics in professional communication. The application of communication theories to English language use.
EPC 532 English as an International Language 3(3-0-9)
Prerequisite : non-prerequisite
Development, notion, and definitions of English as an International Language (EIL). Models of EIL and World Englishes. Role of EIL and various statuses (policies) and uses among native and non-native speakers of English. Standardizing and standard English. Variations and varieties of English including Asian Englishses and Thai English. Code-switching and code-mixing. Corpus linguistics as a means to study varieties of English. Englishes in contact literature. The future of World Englishes. EIL awareness. Technological, cultural or political influence and its implications in professional settings.
EPC 533 Intercultural Communication 3(3-0-9)
Prerequisite : EPC 531 Principles of Communication and Language Use
Communication and culture. Cultural awareness. Stereotyping. Cross-cultural diversity. Varying expectations and different ways of communicating politely. Potential misunderstandings and gender issues in the workplace. The effects of key aspects of Thai culture on intercultural communication and miscommunication in English, in verbal, non-verbal and computer-mediated communication.
EPC 534 Spoken Discourse for Professional Communication 3(3-0-9)
Prerequisite : EPC 533 Intercultural Communication
Nature of spoken discourse. Formal and informal communication. Qualities of good oral communicators in different professional contexts. Accommodation theory. Grice’s maxims of communication. Adjusting styles and strategies to varying contexts and interlocutors. Verbal and non-verbal communication modes of communication. Awareness-raising of various genres of communication. Speech acts. Conversation analysis. Varying styles of communication including face to face and distant communication. Gender, politeness and stereotype. Identity and spoken language. Cultural issues concerning spoken language.
EPC 551 Research Methods in Communication 3(3-0-9)
Prerequisite : EPC 513 Principles of Communication and Language Use
EPC 532 English as an International Language
Introduction to social science research. Research paradigms and research designs: quantitative and qualitative approaches. Consideration in doing research: variables, subject selection, reliability and validity. Finding a research topic. Setting up a research framework. Data collecting procedure. Research instruments such as questionnaires, interviews, observations, computer-assisting programs, etc. Analysing and interpreting quantitative and qualitative data. Writing up a research proposal. Research for organizational development. Ethical issues in conducting research.
EPC 631 Written Discourse for Professional Communication 3(3-0-9)
Prerequisite : EPC 533 Intercultural Communication
Nature of written discourse. Text forming devices. Factors influencing written discourse. Text types and genre. Discourse analysis and genre analysis. Semiotics. Written discourse in academia. Written discourse in workplace. Written discourse in media. Electronic written discourse.
EPC 632 Contemporary Issues in Professional Communication 3(3-0-9)
Prerequisite : EPC 532 English as an International Language
EPC 533 Intercultural Communication
Contemporary issues in professional life in Thai society in the context of English as an International Language to be done in a seminar style.
3. Elective courses
EPC 514 Public Speaking and Professional Presentation 3(3-0-9)
Prerequisite : EPC 533 Intercultural Communication
Types of public speaking. Ethics of public speaking. Impromptu speech. Confidence building. Presentation skills. Audience analysis. Researching, organizing and polishing content. Effective use of presentation technologies. Delivery styles. Persuasion in speech. Methods of delivery both face-to-face and via technology. Language of presentations. Handling questions. Critical listening and evaluation of presentation.
EPC 611 Critical Approaches to Language Use 3(3-0-9)
Prerequisite : EPC 534 Spoken Discourse for Professional Communication;
EPC 631 Written Discourse for Professional Communication
The use of language to express underlying beliefs, ideologies and social preconceptions by analyzing racial, sexist, political and moral uses of language. The reinforcement of language on power differences, both consciously and unconsciously, persuasion and manipulation. Critical analyses of English used for professional purposes.
EPC 612 Technology and Language Use 3(3-0-9)
Prerequisite : EPC 531 Principles of Communication and Language Use
Language and technology. Internet discourse and human communication. Linguistics perspectives on the internet. Mode and medium of computer-mediated communication (CMC). Language of e-mails and forums. The language of synchronous CMC. Social networking sites and Second Life. Sociolinguistic perspectives on CMC. Pragmatic perspectives on CMC. Language socialization on the internet. CMC as intercultural communication. Applying CMC in organization and workplace. Application of technological tools in communication. Corpus linguistics and its application to language use. Critical use of computer-based support such as spell checkers, grammar checkers, automatic text segmentation programs, automatic translation programs and automatic summarizing programs. Research in language and technology.
EPC 613 Translation for Professional Purposes 3(3-0-9)
Prerequisite : non-prerequisite
Principles and theories of translation. Contrastive analysis of English and Thai languages. Language and culture in translation. Error analysis in translation. Editing translation work. Translating different text types: news, business documents, ethonographic documentaries and fiction. Technologies for translation and their limitations. Practical translation both from Thai to English and from English to Thai in general and professional contexts and analysis of problems.
EPC 633 Professionalism in the Workplace 3(3-0-9)
Prerequisite : EPC 534 Spoken Discourse for Professional Communication;
EPC 631 Written Discourse for Professional Communication
Qualities of professionalism including attitudes, personality, ethics, leadership, and management style. The manifestation of professionalism in verbal and non-verbal communication. Qualities of effective management (building trust, managing change, conflict resolution, negotiation, risk taking, manipulation, etc.). Management of innovation, including new technologies in the workplace.
EPC 671 Special Topics I 3(3-0-9)
Prerequisite : EPC 533 Intercultural Communication
Current topics related to English for Professional and International Communication which are of participants’ interest
EPC 672 Special Topics II 3(3-0-9)
Prerequisite : EPC 533 Intercultural Communication
Current topics related to English for Professional and International Communication which are of participants’ interest
EPC 673 Special Topics II 3(3-0-9)
Prerequisite : EPC 533 Intercultural Communication
Current topics related to English for Professional and International Communication which are of participants’ interest
4. Thesis and Tndependent study
EPC 652 Thesis 12 credit
Prerequisite : EPC 551 Research Methods in Communication
A research study on professional and international communication and language use based on students’ knowledge and interest under the supervision of an advisor
EPC 653 Research Study 6 credit
Prerequisite : EPC 551 Research Methods in Communication
A small scale study on professional and international communication based on students’ knowledge and interest under the supervision of an advisor
EPC 654 Independent Study 3 credit
Prerequisite : EPC 551 Research Methods in Communication
An independent study on professional and international communication and language use based on students’ knowledge and interest under the supervision of an advisor.