Information Package
baskent.edu.tr

Program of Foreign Trade

DTP153

FOREIGN TRADE TERMINOLOGY AND PROFESSIONAL CORRESPONDENCE TECHNIQUES

Course Code
DTP153
Semester
-
Theory+Practice
3 + 0
ECTS
4
Course TypeElective Course
Course LevelAssociate Degree
Year of Study-
Semester-
ECTS4
Name of Lecturer(s) -
Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, the students;

  1. Defines the basic concepts, document names, and commercial abbreviations used in foreign trade operations.
  2. Explains the basic terminology related to import, export, customs, logistics, delivery terms, and payment methods.
  3. Distinguishes the basic professional expressions used in foreign trade documents and correspondence.
  4. Uses appropriate salutation, opening, explanation, request, closing, and signature sections in professional correspondence.
  5. Prepares correspondence related to request for quotation, quotation, order, order confirmation, and proforma invoice processes.
  6. Prepares correspondence on payment, banking, document requests, shipment, delivery, and delay issues in accordance with professional standards.
  7. Uses clear, polite, and professional language in foreign trade correspondence concerning complaints, damage, missing goods, delays, and solution-oriented communication.
  8. Selects the appropriate type of correspondence based on short foreign trade cases, uses the necessary terminology, and develops a written correspondence text.
Mode of DeliveryFace to face
PrerequisitesNo
Recommended Optional Programme ComponentsDTP101 FOREIGN TRADE TRANSACTIONS I, DTP102 FOREIGN TRADE TRANSACTIONS II, DTP209 FOREIGN TRADE LEGISLATION AND CUSTOMS PROCEDURES
Course DescriptionForeign Trade Terminology and Professional Correspondence Techniques is an applied course that covers the basic concepts, document names, commercial abbreviations, and professional correspondence rules used in foreign trade operations. Within the scope of the course, students are expected to learn the basic terminology related to import, export, customs, logistics, delivery terms, payment methods, and foreign trade documents, and to develop the ability to prepare correspondence used in foreign trade processes, such as quotations, orders, payments, document requests, shipments, delays, complaints, and solution-oriented correspondence, in accordance with professional standards. This course contributes to students? ability to conduct written communication in the field of foreign trade in an accurate, clear, organized, and professional manner.
Course Contents
WEEK TOPICS
1st Week Introduction to foreign trade terminology, import-export processes, and the role of professional correspondence in foreign trade.
2nd Week Basic foreign trade concepts: export, import, buyer, seller, supplier, goods, cargo, shipment, customs, and tariff.
3rd Week Foreign trade documents and document names: commercial invoice, proforma invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, bill of lading, and insurance certificate.
4th Week Delivery terms and Incoterms terminology: EXW, FCA, FOB, CFR, CIF, CPT, CIP, DAP, DPU, and DDP.
5th Week Payment methods and banking terminology: advance payment, bank transfer, cash against documents, open account, and letter of credit.
6th Week Basic structure of professional correspondence: business letter, e-mail, subject line, salutation, opening, request, closing, and signature.
7th Week Correspondence for requesting and giving quotations: price inquiry, quotation, counter-offer, discount request, validity period, and delivery time.
8th Week Midterm exam.
9th Week Order and order confirmation correspondence: purchase order, order confirmation, proforma invoice, product specifications, quantity, and price.
10th Week Payment and document request correspondence: payment reminder, bank details, payment confirmation, document request, and notification of missing documents.
11th Week Letter of credit, documentary collection, and banking correspondence: opening a letter of credit, amendment request, discrepancy notice, and presentation of documents.
12th Week Shipment and logistics correspondence: shipment advice, shipping instructions, delivery schedule, tracking information, and carrier/agent correspondence.
13th Week Delay, damage, shortage, and complaint correspondence: apology, explanation, compensation, return, replacement, and solution proposals.
14th Week Integrated correspondence practices and terminology review through foreign trade cases.
Recommended or Required ReadingBasic / Recommended Course Resources
Çakırer, M. A. (2023). Meslek Yüksek Okulları İçin Mesleki İngilizce: Business English (Ders Notları). Bursa: Ekin Basım Yayın Dağıtım. ISBN: 978-625-6559-41-7.
Turan, C. (2023). Uluslararası Ticaret, Dış Ticaret ve Lojistik Mesleki İngilizce Kitabı (Yüksekokullar ve Meslek Yüksekokulları İçin). İstanbul: Ceren Yayıncılık & Kitabevi. ISBN: 978-625-7563-72-7.
Özüçaglayan, M. Ö. (2024). Business English (Ticari İngilizce) (1. baskı). Ankara: Nobel Akademik Yayıncılık. ISBN: 978-625-371-754-4; E-ISBN: 978-625-371-755-1.

Official and Online Supplementary Resources
T.C. Ticaret Bakanlığı. Kolay İhracat Platformu. https://www.kolayihracat.gov.tr/
T.C. Ticaret Bakanlığı. Gümrük Rehberi. https://gumrukrehberi.gov.tr/
T.C. Ticaret Bakanlığı. İhracat, ithalat, gümrük ve dış ticaret mevzuatı sayfaları. https://www.ticaret.gov.tr/
International Chamber of Commerce. Incoterms 2020 Rules. https://iccwbo.org/business-solutions/incoterms-rules/
Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods
  • Case Study
  • Lecture
  • Discussion
  • Questions/Answers
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Quantity Percentage (%)
Mid-term 1 40
Total(%) 40
Contribution of In-term Studies to Overall Grade(%) 40
Contribution of Final Examination to Overall Grade(%) 60
Total(%) 100
ECTS Allocated Based on Student Workload
Activities Quantity Duration (Hour) Total Workload (Hour)
Midterm exam 1 1 1
Preparation for Quiz
Individual or group work 14 1 14
Preparation for Final exam 1 41 41
Course hours 14 3 42
Preparation for Midterm exam 1 21 21
Laboratory (including preparation)
Final exam 1 1 1
Homework
Total Work Load120
Total Work Load / 30 (h)4
ECTS Credit of the Course4
Language of InstructionTurkish
Work Placement(s)No

Programme Qualifications / Learning Outcomes

LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
K1 X X X X X
K2
K3 X
K4
K5 X X
K6 X X X
K7 X X
K8
K9
K10 X X X X X
K11
K12
K13