Course Topics
The course is designed to acquire further language skills. A course in specific language for economics students based on the C1 (CEFR). The course focuses on the various styles of language used in the field of economics, politics and business studies and aims to improve the students’ receptive, but above all, productive language skills in general (written and oral). Topics covered include an introduction to more complex grammatical structures used in this field and at this level, with subsequent consolidation through the use of practical applications. There will also be emphasis on improving productive skills, especially writing skills, so that the students can produce accurate, cohesive texts in German for professional use.

Propaedeutic courses
Previous attendance of course 27118 is recommended

Teaching format
Lessons where active student participation is encouraged. Teaching methodology emphasizes student co-operation and participation in the classroom through individual, pair and group work.

Educational objectives
Knowledge and understanding: By the end of the programme, students will have acquired the following knowledge and skills: 1. analyse the demand and supply of goods and services; 2. the ability to understand the price mechanism in market economies; 3. the ability to apply the concepts of game theory to the economic behaviour of public and private actors; 4. the ability to understand the role of governments in market economies; 5. the ability to analyse the behaviour of economic variables in the short, medium and long run; 6. the ability to place economic thinking in a historical context and to assess the role of technology and social change in the development of economic thinking; 7. the ability to understand complex texts in the field of economics in the three languages of instruction; 8. the ability to analyse human behaviour in organisations; 9. the ability to understand theories of organisational decision-making; 10. the ability to understand how political decisions are made and how these decisions affect the economy; 11. recognising and understanding the conditions required for sustainable economic development, taking into account the environment and natural resources; 12. understand the reasons for economic growth and development of countries; 13. understand the basic principles of the functioning of labour markets; 14. estimation and interpretation of econometric models for the empirical analysis of the above problems. Applying knowledge and understanding: the ability to communicate fluently and spontaneously with native speakers on economic topics. Communication skills: Fluency in written and spoken Italian, German and English, including the translation of these languages. Intercultural competence. Conceptual conciseness, ability to capture facts in writing, especially for scientific and science-based texts.

Assessment
The written exam tests competence in reading, writing, vocabulary and grammar. The examination covers a text and topic that has been discussed in class. Duration of the written examination maximum 90 minutes. The oral examination will consist in a brief discussion on the written exam (ca. 10-15 minutes).

Evaluation criteria
Final examination • 50% written exam • 50% oral examination Evaluation criteria are clarity of answers, mastery and correctness of language according to the level B2/C1, ability to summarize, evaluate, and establish relationships between topics.

Required readings

The texts discussed in class, which will be made available on OLE.

Supplementary readings

Will be made available on OLE, if applicable.

Further information