78700 - English for Specific Purposes 2 (LM)

Learning outcomes

The global aim of this course – which includes lectures and language classes - is to improve students’ communicative skills and provide them with a sophisticated knowledge of selected aspects of the English language and culture in order to allow them to compete for jobs in the international sector . More particularly, lectures will enable students to think critically about specific varieties of English in connection with their context of production and of reception. This aim will be achieved by providing students with theoretical knowledge taken from linguistics and sociolinguistics, as well as through close readings of real texts. Specific varieties of English taught in this course are aligned with the aims of this degree and may include two or more of the following varieties of English: the language of tourism, the language of politics, legal English and the language of economics. Language classes aim at improving students’ linguistic competence; over the two year period students’ knowledge of English should reach the level C2 according to the European framework in all four abilities. These classes will work in connection with the lectures to improve students’ writing skills in particular.

Course contents

The course is aimed at raising awareness about the relation between language and institutions, analysing the language of institutional and media discourses and how language creates media styles and genres, including political discourse.

More specifically focus is placed on the topic of Language /power, and the ways that language intersects and connects with the social and political reflections of power. We address the ways that powerful groups influence how language is used and how such groups manage to control access to language. An important theme shows how various linguistic strategies are used to resist the pressure of discursive power and challenge it.

This course aims to consolidate and enhance students’ language skills, particularly as regards speaking, as well as encouraging a critical reading of specific texts.

The course will provide an introduction to the relationship between language and institutions, with an analysis of the language of institutional and media discourse, examining its contribution to the creation of media styles and genres, including political discourse. Focus will be both on written and spoken language.

More specifically, the first part of the course will deal with topics such as racist discourses, social actor analysis, political discourse, and the discourses of the new capitalism. The module will also address Social Skills Training, particularly as regards negotiating, assertiveness and persuasion.

Authentic texts will be used as examples.

The overall aim of the course is to develop students’ ability to recognise the ways in which power is disseminated in institutional, media or political discourse.

The second part of the course is based on oral presentations in class of academic articles related to the course contents. After choosing an article from the lecturer’s collection or proposing their own choice after consultation with the lecturer – the student will prepare a summary of the main points of the paper to present in class using PowerPoint. With about 4 presentations per lesson, the remaining lesson time will be spent discussing each topic further.

Language classes

Through the language classes, students will be able to put into practice analyses of discursive and communicative strategies/modalities in modern and contemporary discourse concerning civil rights, immigration and conflict.
The classes aim to consolidate and expand students' language skills, with particular emphasis placed on oral and writing skills. They also aim to broaden critical reading skills.
The language classes will train students in argumentative and expository academic writing, involve class discussion on notions presented in written works. For exam preparation, emphasis will be placed on writing 500-word academic essays in English.

Readings/Bibliography

For attending students, materials will be indicated by the lecturer at the start of the course. Material presented in class will also be available online in AlmaCampus.

Suggested reading also includes:

Mumby D.K. (ed) (1993) Narrative and social control : critical perspectives, Newbury Park, CA : Sage,

Simpson P. & Mayr A. (2010) Language and Power. A Resource book for students, London: Routledge.

For non-attenders:

Simpson P. & Mayr A. (2010) Language and Power. A Resource book for students, London: Routledge.

Study material for the language classes will be available online (AlmaCampus) and at Master Copy in via Cartoleria.

Teaching methods

Lectures will alternate with activities involving reading, listening and watching materials in English, combined with guided analysis and discussion of the texts as well as individual and group presentations. Active participation from the students in the discussions and the other activities is an essential part of the learning process and exam preparation.

Assessment methods

• Written exam concerning course contents
• Evaluation of the oral presentation given during the course. The evaluation is based on different criteria, including the ability to select the main points and summarise them appropriately, with a clear visual presentation and appropriate accompanying oral commentary. Connection with course material should be clearly signposted.

Non-attenders:

• Written and oral exam based on the textbook Simpson P. & Mayr A. (2010) Language and Power. A Resource book for students, London: Routledge.

Language classes: 33% of the total course mark

All students taking this course (attenders and non-attenders) will have a written language exam. This involves writing an essay of about 500 words on a topic connected with the course contents. Students will have 90 minutes to write the essay. The exam takes place once per session and must be passed before the final mark can be registered online.
The essay will be corrected according to the standards required for level C2 of the Common European Framework and will apply graded marking schemes concerning: the appropriacy of arguments used; presentation (layout as well as spelling and punctuation); structure /organization (application of academic conventions, also with regard to cohesion/coherence), and lexico-grammatical and discursive accuracy with respect to standard academic English.

Nb: the final mark for Linguaggi Specifici 2 - Lingua Inglese requires passing both Jane Johnson’s exam and the language practice exam.

Johnson’s exam (written + oral presentation) makes up 2/3 of the overall course mark

Teaching tools

Authentic texts in English, Internet, Powerpoint

Office hours

See the website of Jane Helen Johnson