74775 - English Language (12 Cfu) (A-D)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course students will have acquired both active and passive ability to communicate in English, to be able to read, take notes and take part in discussions in English, to be able to understand and comment upon specialised discourse types of English, namely political texts and media texts which comment upon politics.

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 ([30+] 30 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.

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 (2018). Metaphor and Persuasion in Strategic Communication: Sustainable Perspectives. New York: Routledge.

Federica Ferrari (2013). Non solo metafore. (De)costruzione della strategia persuasiva di G. W. Bush Jr. Padova: Libreriauniversitaria.it.

Partington & Taylor (2017). The Language of Persuasion in Politics. New York: Routledge.

After january/february 2021 the written test for non-attenders will be based on: Federica Ferrari (2018). Metaphor and Persuasion in Strategic Communication: Sustainable Perspectives. New York: Routledge.

Teaching methods

For students who attend classes

• grammar (I semester): students must be present at 80% of lessons. Lessons take place twice a week
• content (II semester): 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 examination (in presence or remotely, according with the required conditions) and oral interaction (possibly preceded by a midterm test), on course content and bibliographic materials. More information will be given during the course.

For non attenders, after January/February 2021, the written test will be based on: Federica Ferrari (2018). Metaphor and Persuasion in Strategic Communication: Sustainable Perspectives. New York: Routledge.

A sample of the grammar test and the monographic for non attenders (in their standard paper format) are available at the lecturer's website, ‘Useful resources/links' section.

For further information:

https://corsi.unibo.it/laurea/ScienzePoliticheSocialiInternazionali/i-corsi-di-lingua-straniera

Teaching tools

Monographic course lesson content (notes and Power Point presentations, videos) will be made available for attenders (password-protected) at Virtuale (https://virtuale.unibo.it), together with further indication for lecture notes and theoretical reference.

Office hours

See the website of Federica Ferrari