48
English Language and Translation
UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI NAPOLI "L'ORIENTALE"
Overview
Date/time interval
Syllabus
Course Objectives
Learning objectives
EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES
The course aims to introduce the fundamentals of English linguistics, with a focus on Anglophone diamesic and diastratic varieties, and to introduce students to the basic elements of communication theories from the perspective of critical discourse analysis. In particular, the course aims to introduce critical discourse analysis as a theoretical-methodological approach applied to the study of non-literary texts produced in Anglophone contexts. Hence, the course will examine interactions in context, considering how individual and collective identities are socially co-constructed through the semiotic resources (including language) that speakers can or cannot access. The course includes the use of authentic materials and application tools in order to identify how language can be used to conceal, reproduce or question ideologies of power and representations of self and others. The analysis of the texts will, therefore, aim to strengthen students' ability to understand through analytical, metalinguistic, and meta-reflexive descriptions. The linguistic competence at exit corresponds to the advanced level of proficiency in English in complex situations.
ABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
The course aims to provide students with the knowledge and methodological tools necessary for understanding complex texts in English-speaking contexts. Students will be able to communicate their knowledge, both in terms of content and methodology, using specialist vocabulary related to the studies in the field. In particular, at the end of the course, students will be able to choose an appropriate critical approach to textual analysis depending on the type of language to be analysed. Specifically, students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of the discursive strategies and ideologies underlying specific English texts examined. Finally, the student will be able to elaborate on concepts relevant to institutional and professional language in English-speaking contexts, especially in relation to the relationship between language and society, social practices and actors.
FURTHER EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Autonomy of judgement:
The critical capacity and autonomy of judgement will be developed in the student with regard to the integration of the knowledge learnt and skills acquired, the management of their complexity and the formulation of judgements even based on incomplete data. Mastery of the theoretical-methodological tools of English linguistics and critical discourse analysis will enable the autonomous study of the relationship between language and society.
Communicative skills:
Communicative skills in English equal to an advanced level of mastery (mastery) of the language in complex situations will be developed, especially in relation to the knowledge of the theories and methodologies of English linguistics, using the specialist vocabulary related to the studies in the field, in such a way as to allow a use of the English language as a sophisticated metalinguistic analysis tool capable of conveying critical and scientific knowledge.
Learning skills:
Understand and critically interpret specific linguistic choices highlighted through the methodologies adopted, identifying linguistic and stylistic choices that aim to achieve specific purposes.
Course Prerequisites
Students are expected to possess advanced skills and autonomous efficiency in reading and understanding English language text. The course aims to achieve an advanced level of proficiency in English in complex situations. Students are also expected to know and be able to apply the linguistic methodologies related to discourse analysis in English.
Teaching Methods
Face-to-face teaching in English for the methodology course, use of case studies, simulations and exercises—in-depth seminars. The activities carried out in class will be made available online on the Moodle eLearning platform (CLAOR), which is also accessible to non-attending students.
The lectures will be held in the first semester. Throughout the academic year (in both the first and second semesters), there will also be practical exercises with language assistants that form an integral part of the programme.
Assessment Methods
The examination consists of an oral test.
The examination consists of a discussion of a project paper, the subject of which is to be agreed upon with the lecturer.
The examination consists of an oral interview that ascertains in-depth the theoretical and methodological preparation and the ability to apply it to the critical analysis of non-literary texts, as well as the ability to deepen the topics covered analytically. The oral examination will also focus on the preparation of a project paper in English (6,000 words, including bibliography), analysing a "case study" related to the topics of the methodological course through the methods, tools, and methodologies used in the field of critical discourse analysis. The oral examination will consist of the presentation and discussion of this paper and is aimed at testing and verifying the student's adequate acquisition of theoretical and methodological knowledge, as well as their autonomy of analysis, and their ability to express themselves adequately in English, providing reasons for their theses and hypotheses.
Assessment criteria:
Evaluation of the critical ability to analyse the text through correct use of the terminology specialised in the field of investigation adopted; ability to apply and use the methodologies illustrated during the course.
The final assessment may vary from 18/30 to 30/30, depending on the level of accuracy and completeness of the oral interview, as well as the correct use of methodologies and theories, and the mastery of the English language.
The minimum assessment level (18/30) within the required level is awarded when the student demonstrates uncertain or partial mastery in the application of the knowledge and methods studied and has fragmentary knowledge or knowledge limited to the fundamentals of the various topics covered. He/she also demonstrates a minimal command of the English language in arguing and expounding his/her theses, partially in line with an advanced level of command of the English language in complex situations.
The highest grade level (30/30) within the required level is awarded when the student demonstrates complete and thorough mastery in the application of the theoretical knowledge and methods of analysis studied, and is able to solve the problems addressed critically and accurately. The student also demonstrates a high command of the English language in arguing and expounding his or her arguments without uncertainty, consistent with an advanced level of English language proficiency in complex situations.
Honours is awarded when the student demonstrates an absolute mastery of theoretical and methodological content, the ability to relate the various topics covered in a cross-cutting manner, and is able to present the arguments with considerable expressive ability. Also assessed is the autonomy of judgment demonstrated in the selection of alternative texts to those proposed by the lecturer to further explore the topics addressed in the analysis.
Texts
Caple, Helen, and Monika Bednarek. "News Discourse." News Discourse (2012) (chap 2,3,4)
Fairclough,Norman. Critical Discourse Analysis, Essex, Longman, 1995 (Introduction and chapters 1, 2, 3, 5).
Lakoff, George, and Mark Johnson. Metaphors we live by. University of Chicago press, 2008. (pp. 3-60).
Litosseliti, Lia, ed. Research methods in linguistics. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2018. (pag 227-257)
- Napolitano, Antonella. "Love is in the h (air): a discourse analysis of hair product advertising." Love is in the h (air) (2018).
Page, Ruth, et al. Researching language and social media: A student guide. Routledge, 2022. (chap 1,2,7)
Additional study material will be provided by the lecturer via the course's MOODLE virtual classroom, which is also accessible to non-attending students.
Contents
COURSE TITLE: Critical Discourse Studies
1. Critical Discourse Analysis - theories and methods;
2. Systemic Functional Linguistics;
3. The Representation of Social Actors;
4. Metaphors and Framing;
5. News discourse:
6. Social media discourse;
7. Persuasion and political discourse
8.Ecolinguistics
9. Multimodal Discourse Analysis;
10. The Language of Advertising;
11. The Genres of Advertising;
12. Advertising and Gender.
Course Language
English
More information
Students are encouraged to attend classes regularly and to actively participate in classroom interactions. General language courses are held by English mother-tongue teachers (CEL).