99814 - Corpora, Linguistics and Technology Lab

Learning outcomes

The student is able to independently identify a research problem of relevance to a linguistics- and/or translation- field, with special reference to the use of text corpora; s/he is able to locate and efficiently use the tools and information sources needed to tackle a research problem; s/he is able to acquire further competences related to linguistics and translation, as well as other disciplines of relevance to her/his studies, through interaction with scholars from a range of fields.

Course contents

This research lab focuses on artificial intelligence and its impact on the humanities, particularly on the language mediation professions.

It revolves around a departmental event featuring two external experts, Niall Curry (Birmingham University) and Serge Sharoff (University of Leeds), each of whom will address the topic from his disciplinary viewpoint. Students will be encouraged to engage critically with the speakers, drawing on the preparatory work carried out in class before the event.

Afterwards, students will conduct their own research—either individually or in groups—on topics related to AI. They will critically discuss the implications of their findings in preparation for the final report, which serves as the workshop's concluding assessment.

The classes will be held according to the provisional schedule below:

• Tuesday, 29 September – Introduction to the workshop

• Tuesday, 6 October – Concepts, risks, and potential of AI for higher education and the education of language professionals

• Tuesday, 13 October – Discussion of selected academic literature proposed by Niall Curry and Serge Sharoff

• Friday, 16 October – Participation in the departmental event on AI in the humanities and the language professions

• Tuesday, 20 October – Literature review activities on AI and translation, interpreting, subtitling, accessibility, minority languages, and language learning

• Tuesday, 27 October – State-of-the-art overview and future developments; critical evaluation of the benefits and challenges of AI

• Tuesday, 24 November – In-class presentation session in preparation for the final assessment

Readings/Bibliography

Curry N., McEnery T. and Brookes G. 2025. A question of alignment – AI, GenAI and applied linguistics. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics. 45:315-336. doi: 10.1017/S0267190525000017

Sharoff, S., Baker, J., Hunt, D.F. and Simpson, A. 2026. Almost Clinical: Linguistic properties of synthetic electronic health record. Proceedings of the 1st Workshop on Linguistic Analysis for Health (HeaLing 2026). Rabat, Morocco. Association for Computational Linguistics. 115–126. doi: 10.18653/v1/2026.healing-1.10

Other readings will be shared with participants during the lab.

Teaching methods

The course is delivered primarily in a seminar format, with ample opportunity for discussion and for the expression of critical perspectives by students. Practical activities are organized around authentic, problem-based tasks that students engage with both independently and collaboratively. Peer support, combined with the instructor's guidance, fosters a supportive, learner-centered environment that promotes the development of interpersonal skills and independent problem-solving abilities.

To ensure the effectiveness of the teaching approach, and preserve its interactive and workshop-like nature, the course is open to a maximum of 20 students.

Students are expected to attend at least 70% of the module classes.

All students must attend Module 1 and 2 on Health and Safety online.

Assessment methods

Assessment consists in the submission of a presentation (slides) and in an oral examination in which students present their work and discuss it with the instructors. The presentation will focus on a specific aspect of the use of artificial intelligence in the humanities, with particular attention to the language-related professions.

A limited, declared, and non-substantive use of AI is permitted for support activities (e.g., language revision and help with the identification of bibliographic references). Students must specify the exact ways in which AI was used in a declaration accompanying the presentation and, if necessary, during the oral examination.

Assessment will be based on the following grading criteria:

• 30–30 cum laude: Excellent oral and written communication, argumentation, and critical thinking skills; excellent understanding of course topics.
• 28–29: Very good oral and written communication, argumentation, and critical thinking skills; very good understanding of course topics.
• 26–27: Good oral and written communication, argumentation, and critical thinking skills; good understanding of course topics. Some aspects could be improved.
• 23–25: Satisfactory oral and written communication, argumentation, and critical thinking skills; satisfactory understanding of course topics. Several weaknesses and gaps are evident.
• 18–22: Minimally satisfactory oral and written communication, argumentation, and critical thinking skills, and understanding of the course topics. Numerous weaknesses and gaps are evident.
• Below 18: Inadequate or seriously inadequate oral and written communication, argumentation, and critical thinking skills, as well as an insufficient understanding of course topics.
  

Students with specific learning difficulties (SpLD) or with disabilities that can affect their ability to attend courses are invited to contact the University service for students with disabilities and SLD at the earliest opportunity – ideally before the start of the course). The University service will suggest possible adjustments to the course work and/or exam, which must then be submitted to the course leader so they can assess their feasibility, in line with the learning objectives of the course. Please note that adjustments to the exam must be requested at least two weeks in advance.

Teaching tools

Classes are held in a computer laboratory equipped with desktop computers and a projector.

All course materials are made available through the University's Virtual Learning Environment (Virtuale).

Office hours

See the website of Silvia Bernardini