54
English Language and Translation
UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI NAPOLI "L'ORIENTALE"
Overview
Date/time interval
Syllabus
Course Objectives
EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES
The course, aimed at students of the Master's Degree in Languages and Intercultural Communication in the Euromediterranean Area (MLC), aims to provide theoretical and methodological tools through which students can critically analyze contemporary communication languages in the fields of information and politics. Particular attention is given to the linguistic aspects of English-language materials and their connections to the cultural dimensions and dynamics they express. Through specific case studies, the course will focus on the relationship between language and power in Anglophone socio-cultural contexts and in the Euromediterranean area where English is used as a lingua franca in international relations and intercultural contexts. Critical issues will be highlighted, including identity issues, the discursive construction of gender/ethnic differences, minorities, and power relations in intercultural communication. The main discursive strategies used in the texts and case studies will be presented, emphasizing the ideologies and practices of representing social actors.
APPLIED KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
By the end of the course, students should demonstrate that they have acquired the skills necessary to conduct critical discourse analysis applied to the texts discussed in class. This includes the ability to critically argue complex discussions concerning the case studies examined and to structure metalinguistic reflections based on the informed reading of the proposed texts. In addition to the theoretical-methodological approaches learned, students should demonstrate knowledge of how to conduct corpus-based analyses.
FURTHER EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Autonomy of Judgment:
Ability to critically analyze texts in English, as well as to effectively and independently discuss theoretical issues emerging from the proposed texts.
Communication Skills:
Advanced level ability in the comprehension and production of English texts.
Learning Skills:
Show efficiency and autonomy in understanding complex English texts, recognizing both explicit and implicit meanings, and using language effectively.
Produce clear and articulated texts in English on complex topics.
Take notes during listening activities or while watching videos in English, summarizing/paraphrasing the content.
Acquire critical skills in analyzing both written and oral materials in English within the context of media and intercultural communication.
Course Prerequisites
The course is intended for students who have already studied the English language for three years during their undergraduate degree.
The initial language proficiency level for the course is upper-intermediate, with the goal of reaching an advanced level upon completion. Additionally, a basic knowledge of linguistic analysis methodologies in English is useful. Supplementary materials that may be helpful before taking the course are available on the Moodle classroom established by the CDS (https://elearning.unior.it/course/view.php?id=4018 – MLC_prerequisiti)
Teaching Methods
The course includes lectures in English. Case studies and multimodal materials will be examined to stimulate class discussions. There will be ongoing assessments, analysis of case studies, and classroom debates requiring the active involvement of students to encourage the use of the English language.
Throughout the academic year, the Esercitazioni Linguistiche with native speaker language assistants (CELs) will be an integral part of the program and essential for achieving advanced language proficiency learning outcomes.
Additionally, there will be a virtual language exchange activity with a group of students from the University of Toronto enrolled in an Italian language course, offering students an additional opportunity to practice the language by practically addressing complex concepts included in the study program such as intercultural communication.
Assessment Methods
The exam consists of a written test and an oral test. The written test is a language proficiency test focused on English grammar. It assesses listening, reading, and writing skills through multiple-choice and open-ended questions. The written test is preparatory to the oral test and aims to verify the acquisition of language skills. The oral test is an interview in English, during which the skills and abilities acquired through the methodological course will be tested. At the end of the course, there is an optional language proficiency test that, if passed, contributes to the final evaluation.
Language in which the exam is conducted: English
Evaluation criteria: The final evaluation aims to verify the acquisition of linguistic and metalinguistic knowledge and skills, as well as the acquisition of critical skills in discourse analysis and corpus-based analysis applied to the case studies examined and contained in the bibliographic materials. The adequate ability to apply and use the methodologies illustrated during the course will also be verified. The evaluation criteria are:
a) completeness of information in the analysis and discussion of case studies;
b) coherence, correctness, and fluency;
c) correct use of metalinguistic terminology;
d) advanced skills and fluency in English;
e) advanced ability to apply the acquired knowledge.
The evaluation achieved in the written test is an integral part of the final grade.
The final evaluation can range from 18/30 to 30/30 depending on the level of accuracy and completeness of the oral interview, the correct application of methodologies and theories, and proficiency in English.
Texts
Attending students:
1. Mooney, Annabelle and Evans, Betsy (2019), Language, Society and Power. An Introduction. London: Routledge. (capitoli 1-4; 6 e 7)
2. Page, Ruth, Barton David, Lee Carmen et. al. (2022), Researching Language and Social Media. A Student Guide, second edition. London: Routledge. (capitoli 1,2,3)
3. Baker, Paul (seconda edizione, 2023), Using Corpora in Discourse Analysis. London: Bloomsbury.
4. Croucher, S., Sommier, M. and Rahmani, D., (2015) “Intercultural communication: where we’ve been, where we’re going, issues we face”, Communication Research and Practice, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/22041451.2015.1042422?needAccess=true
5. Koller, Veronika (2020), "Analysing metaphor in discourse", in Hart, C. (ed.), Researching Discourse. A Student Guide, pp. 77-96
6. Koller, Veronika (2020), "Discourse analysis and systemic functional linguistics", in Hart, C. (ed.), Researching Discourse. A Student Guide, pp. 54-76
7. Appunti del corso
Non-attending students:
1. Mooney, Annabelle and Evans, Betsy (2019). Language, Society and Power. An Introduction. London: Routledge. (capitoli 1-4; 6-8)
2. Page, Ruth, Barton David, Lee Carmen et. al. (2022), Researching Language and Social Media. A Student Guide, second edition. London: Routledge. (capitoli 1,2,3)
3. Baker, Paul (seconda edizione, 2023). Using Corpora in Discourse Analysis. London: Bloomsbury.
4. Mongibello, Anna (2018). Indigenous Peoples in Canadian TV News: A Corpus-based Analysis of Mainstream and Indigenous News Discourse. Napoli: Loffredo Iniziative Editoriali
5. Croucher, S., Sommier, M. and Rahmani, D., (2015) “Intercultural communication: where we’ve been, where we’re going, issues we face”, Communication Research and Practice, pp. 71-87, disponibile online in open access
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/22041451.2015.1042422?needAccess=true
Contents
Course Title: Language, discourse and communication
1. Introduction to discourse, language and communication
2. Critical Discourse Analysis: methodologies and theoretical approaches
3. Corpus Linguistics
4. Corpus-based approach to Critical Discourse Analysis
5. Language, power and representation
6. Language and ‘politics’: persuasion, rhetoric and control
7. Language and information: fake news, evaluation and representation of social actors
8. Language, gender and power in news discourse: some case studies
9. Ethnicity, representation and racism: the politics of fear and exclusion
10. Discourse practices and social media
11. Intercultural communication: risks, limits and ideologies
General language courses are held by our English mother tongue teachers (CEL). Students are encouraged to attend CEL classes during both semesters.
Course Language
English
More information
A virtual language exchange activity with a group of students from the University of Toronto enrolled in an Italian language course, consisting in two calls and a questionnaire.
The activity is part of the course program for attending students.