- Docente: Federica Ferrari
- Credits: 12
- Language: English
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Political, Social and International Sciences (cod. 8853)
Course contents
The course aims at improving the students' awareness of persuasion as a complex and pervasive phenomenon in strategic communication. Particular attention will be paid to political discourse as a case of primary evidence. Discourse analysis expertise will be fostered through the identification of linguistic/cognitive as well as pragmatic/contextual features in the text. In addition to developing the students' capability of reading special purposes texts in English, the course may also indirectly favour their persuasion and oral communication skills in English.
The exam consists of two parts:
- a) Intermediate test of grammar and general language skills. The coursework (40 hours) is aimed at improving the fluency and correctness of students' language production and their understanding of spoken and written English.
- b) content (or monographic course, based on a set text and corresponding to 30 hours). The lessons, based on authentic texts, additionally to strengthening the student's linguistic competence, with particular attention to oral skills, request the student to acquire a critical attitude with respect to the political text. (Non-attenders must prepare the textbook “Persuasion in Politics” (2nd edition) Partington & Taylor).
The course starts from a brief recap of the concept of ‘persuasion' in communication (everyday vs. strategic) to introduce political discourse in a genre perspective. As a primary tool of analysis, the notion of conceptual metaphor will be presented, in such as related to persuasion (everyday and strategic communication). Particular attention will be paid to how crucial conceptual metaphor is for conveying emotion, as well as for constructing narratives in long-term discoursal strategies.
After this theoretical introduction, the course will offer an overview of relevant genres of political rhetoric and concentrate on the critical analysis of a chosen set of texts. This may also allow the students to think on their own positioning as political readers/listeners/actors within a given context. Particular attention will be paid to the language of leaders (i.e. contemporary American vs. British presidential speeches), focusing on genre features, rhetorical style, argumentative structure, evaluation, conceptual frames and dominant metaphors.
Readings/Bibliography
For course attenders, the study material will be
communicated during the lessons.
Theoretical references can be found in: Federica Ferrari (2013).
Non solo metafore. (De)costruzione della strategia
persuasiva di G. W. Bush Jr. Padova:
Libreriauniversitaria.it.
For non-attenders of the Monographic course:
For 2017the textbook is "Persuasion in Politics" (2nd edition), Partington & Taylor, LED edizioni.
From January 2018
the textbook is "The Language of Persuasion in Politics", Partington & Taylor, Routledge.
Teaching methods
For students who attend classes
- grammar: students must be present at 80% of lessons. Lessons take place twice a week
- content: lessons are conducted in English and are interactive, also accounting for brainstorming moments, oral and written exercises. Theoretical considerations and textual examples of persuasive discourse will be systematically re-conducted to their practical application.
Assessment methods
Both attenders and non attenders have to take the intermediate grammar test before the monographic/final part of the exam: to access the monographic having passed the grammar is compulsory.
As for the monographic part, for attenders it consists of a written and oral examination, possibly preceded by an intermediate one, on course content and bibliographic materials. More information will be given during the course.
Non attenders have to
take a written test based on the text: "Persuasion in Politics".
For 2017
the textbook is "Persuasion in Politics" (2nd edition), Partington & Taylor, LED edizioni.
From January 2018
the textbook is "The Language of Persuasion in Politics", Partington & Taylor, Routledge.
A sample of the grammar test and the monographic for non attenders are available at the lecturer's website, ‘Useful resources/links' section.
For further information:
http://www.politicalsciences.unibo.it/en/more-details-on-english-language-studies
Teaching tools
Monographic course lesson content (notes and Power Point presentations, videos) will be made available for attenders (password-protected) at http://campus.unibo.it, together with further indication for lecture notes and theoretical reference.
Office hours
See the website of Federica Ferrari