HAAGA-HELIA
COURSE MANUAL
1 (4)
Economic Texts from the Media (ENG4KJ004)
Matti Helelä
11 January 2008
ECONOMIC TEXTS FROM THE MEDIA (ENG2KJ004)
Code
Extent
Timing
Language
Level
Type
ENG4KJ004
3 cr (80 h)
Semester 5
English
Professional studies
Compulsory professional studies for students who have
chosen English
Prerequisites
English grammar (ENG4KJ001)
Professional English for Journalists (ENG4KJ002)
Media English (ENG2KJ003)
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the course, the student is able to:
 Understand and analyse English economic and financial texts and
presentations in the media (newspapers, magazines and electronic media)
and summarise and interpret them in both Finnish and English.
 Express and interpret corresponding Finnish texts in English.
 Use relevant concepts maps effectively for learning and for presentation to
others.
Following the course, the student has expanded his or her economic vocabulary.
Course Contents


Main features and vocabulary of English economic and financial texts and
presentations in the media, such as
o TV and radio
o Economic surveys
o Press releases
o Financial statements
o Annual reports.
Interpreting and summarising economic and financial texts in Finnish and
English.
Cooperation with the Business Community and Other Organisations
Work-related material
Teaching and Learning Methods



Contact hours: 23 h (lectures and workshops; group work)
Personal study and group work: 57 h (reading the material, weekly
assignments, personal translation assignment, group assignment related to
economic vocabulary, preparation for the exam)
Required attendance: 80%
The students construct knowledge through personal study and collaborative
learning, facilitated by the instructor in class. They read, write, analyse and
discuss economic and financial texts and presentations in groups. They prepare
and share concept maps including related vocabulary.
Instructor
Matti Helelä
Office 7014 (7th floor north)
Consultation: Wednesday 13:15–14:00
Phone (09) 2296 5353
Box 27
matti.helela haaga-helia.fi
http://myy.haaga-helia.fi/~helma
myy.haaga-helia.fi/~helma/economictexts/et-course-description.doc
HAAGA-HELIA
COURSE MANUAL
2 (4)
Economic Texts from the Media (ENG4KJ004)
Matti Helelä
11 January 2008
Course Materials
Handouts given in class.
Newspapers and magazines (paper and on-line versions).
Economic surveys, press releases, financial statements and annual reports.
Assessment Criteria
Exam: Checkpoint of My Mastery of Economic Texts
My Translation and Concept Maps
Our English-Finnish Economic and Business Vocabulary
Participation (80% attendance required)
70%
30%
15 %
Accepted/Failed
Assessment includes self, peer and external assessment as follows:
Self-assessment
Starting point (completed in class when the course begins)
Assess your skills using the self-assessment grid on page 2
of the document at
http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/img/dynamic/c1347/type.
FileContent.file/ELPTemplate_en_GB.doc
Personal development in group discussions
Personal development in written work
Peer assessment
Group discussions
Written work
External assessment
Group discussions
Written work: assignments and exam
Personal Assessment (completed in class when the course begins)
Assess your English language skills using the Europass Language Passport:
 Study the information about creating a Europass Language Passport (part of
the Europass Language Portfolio described at
http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu) at
http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/europass/home/hornav/Downloads/LangP
assport/ELPTemplate/navigate.action.
 Assess your skills using the self-assessment grid on page 2 of the document
at
http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/img/dynamic/c1347/type.FileContent.file/E
LPTemplate_en_GB.doc
Assignment 1: My Translation and Concept Maps (Personal assignment)


Translate the following economic article from English into Finnish.
o Deloitte. China: Transitioning to a normal economy. Global
Economic Outlook, pp. 4–5.
http://www.deloitte.com/dtt/cda/doc/content/us_dr_GlobEconomicOu
tlook07_research.pdf
 Use line spacing 1.5 or 2 (please do not use single spacing).
 Observe the Finnish layout standard.
Include three concept maps in English, based on the main concepts
(keywords) used in documents (1), (2) and (3) in the following list:
myy.haaga-helia.fi/~helma/economictexts/et-course-description.doc
HAAGA-HELIA
COURSE MANUAL
3 (4)
Economic Texts from the Media (ENG4KJ004)
Matti Helelä
11 January 2008
o




(1) Deloitte. China: Transitioning to a normal economy. Global
Economic Outlook, pp. 4–5.
http://www.deloitte.com/dtt/cda/doc/content/us_dr_GlobEconomicOu
tlook07_research.pdf
o (2) Deloitte. Europe: One size does not fit all. Global Economic
Outlook, pp. 5–6.
http://www.deloitte.com/dtt/cda/doc/content/us_dr_GlobEconomicOu
tlook07_research.pdf
o (3) One of the following seven options:
 Deloitte. China. Global Economic Outlook, p. 3.
http://www.deloitte.com/dtt/cda/doc/content/us_dr_GlobEco
nomicOutlook07_research.pdf
 Deloitte. Southeast Asia. Global Economic Outlook, p. 3.
http://www.deloitte.com/dtt/cda/doc/content/us_dr_GlobEco
nomicOutlook07_research.pdf
 Deloitte. Japan. Global Economic Outlook, p. 3.
http://www.deloitte.com/dtt/cda/doc/content/us_dr_GlobEco
nomicOutlook07_research.pdf
 Deloitte. India. Global Economic Outlook, p. 5.
http://www.deloitte.com/dtt/cda/doc/content/us_dr_GlobEco
nomicOutlook07_research.pdf
 Deloitte. United States: Housing Led Slowdown. Global
Economic Outlook, p. 3.
http://www.deloitte.com/dtt/cda/doc/content/us_dr_GlobEco
nomicOutlook07_research.pdf
 Deloitte. Japan. Global Economic Outlook, p. 3.
http://www.deloitte.com/dtt/cda/doc/content/us_dr_GlobEco
nomicOutlook07_research.pdf
 Deloitte. Latin America. Global Economic Outlook, p. 7.
http://www.deloitte.com/dtt/cda/doc/content/us_dr_GlobEco
nomicOutlook07_research.pdf
In other words: one translation and three concept maps.
To write a concept map, study the relevant sources about concept maps
such as:
o Wikipedia 2008. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concept_map
o Counselling Services – University of Victoria 2003.
http://www.coun.uvic.ca/learn/program/hndouts/map_ho.html
o Mind Tools 2008.
http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newISS_01.htm
Good luck and enjoy your learning!
Post your translation, concept map and assessment in the Drop Box in
Blackboard (or send it on paper by ordinary mail) by the deadline given in
the course schedule.
Assignment 2: Our English-Finnish Economic and Business Vocabulary (Group assignment)






In a group of two students, compile an English-Finnish economic and
business vocabulary based on the topics and material discussed in class.
o Group 1: Economy: economic trends and outlook
o Group 2: International trade and the manufacturing industry
o Group 3: Companies: forms, organisations and finance
o Group 4: Retail and wholesale trade
o Group 5: Labour market: jobs, wages, salaries
8 pages
Include example sentences and pragmatic uses of the vocabulary.
Include a concept map or concept maps of the main or selected
vocabulary.
Observe the Finnish layout standard.
Post your documents on the Discussion Board in Blackboard by the deadline
given in the course schedule.
myy.haaga-helia.fi/~helma/economictexts/et-course-description.doc
HAAGA-HELIA
COURSE MANUAL
4 (4)
Economic Texts from the Media (ENG4KJ004)
Matti Helelä
11 January 2008
Group division and group communication
To see the group division in Blackboard, click Groups on the main menu. This
gives you access to various group communication tools. The Group
Discussion Board works just like the Discussion Board available to all students
of the course. The only difference is that the group pages are accessible only to
the group members and all tutors. Students outside the group cannot enter the
group pages.
You may use the group pages to share any documents and information (even
phone numbers if you like) with your group members. This may be an effective
forum to discuss your project. Sending email is also quite handy through the
Group pages.
Schedule (Classroom 2205)
Week
3
Day
14 Jan
4
5
6
7
8
9
21 Jan
28 Jan
4 Feb
11 Feb
18 Feb
25 Feb
10
11
12
13
3 March
10 March
17 March
24 March
28 March
(Friday)
14
15
16
31 March
7 April
14 April
15 April
(Tuesday)
17
18
19
21 April
28 April
5 May
20
8 May
(Thursday)
12 May
Tue
Tue
30 Sept
2 Dec
Time Content
10:15–11:45 Course introduction
Introduction of participants
Orientation exercises / personal assessment
10:15–11:45 Economic terminology and basic concepts
10:15–11:45 Economy: cycles and trends
13:15–14:45 Economy: surveys
10:15–11:45 Trade and industry
(No class: Winter break)
10:15–11:45 Manufacturing and services
10:15–11:45 Wholesaling and retailing
10:15–11:45 Wholesaling and retailing
(No class: Intensive week)
(No class: Easter Monday)
Drop off your Assignment 1 (My Translation of
an Economic Text) on paper into Matti
Helelä’s box (27)
10:15–11:45 Companies: forms and finance
10:15–11:45 Companies: organisations
10:15–11:45 Labour market
Post Assignment 2 (Our English-Finnish
Economic and Business Vocabulary) on the
Discussion Board in Blackboard
10:15–11:45 Labour market
10:15–11:45 Recruitment and selection
10:15–11:45 Exam:
Checkpoint of My Mastery of Economic Texts
Give course feedback in Blackboard
 Course Evaluation
10:15–11:45 Exam feedback
Exercises in class
17:35–21:00 Re-exam 1
17:35–21:00 Re-exam 2
myy.haaga-helia.fi/~helma/economictexts/et-course-description.doc