B2737 - LANGUAGE POLICY AND MULTILINGUALISM

Learning outcomes

The course is meant to give students an introduction to the notions of multilingualism/ plurilingualism and the perspectives of multilingualism studies, with a specific reference to multilingualism in the EU, its policies and practices. It also addresses the notion of linguistic social justice and social ex-/inclusion, and multilingualism and education. By the end of the course, students will have developed an understanding of the social and political implications of multilingual and intercultural communication.

Course contents

The course provides an introduction to:
- the sociolinguistics of language and of society.
- Language maintenance and shift.
- Bi-and multilingual studies.

It will then focus on:
- Monolingual ideology

- Multilingualism in society

- Language planning

PLEASE NOTE: BAES Students are reminded that:
- the course “LANGUAGE POLICY AND MULTILINGUALISM" is offered only at the Forlì campus;
- the BAES study plan awards 6 ETCS for the “nome del corso BAES" course.
In order to reach 6 ECTS, BAES students should:
- attend all lectures and carry out the assessments, plus the final written and oral exam, as every other student enrolled in the course.
Further information will be provided in class at the beginning of the course.

 

Readings/Bibliography

Bibliographical references and a reader will be provided throughout the course.

Teaching methods

Lectures, seminars and workshops.

Assessment methods

Students will be required to draft a report in which they analyze the multilingual situation and policy of a country of their choice. The exam consists of an oral presentation (using PPT) of the report that can also include audiovisuals. The report will be based on a template that will be provided and explained throughout the course. The evaluation will take into consideration the acquisition of the basic notions of language policy and multilingualism and the ability to critically re-elaborate what was addressed during the course.

The correct use of the terminology of the discipline, the rigor in the presentation and argumentation, the achievement of a global vision of the topics addressed during the course and the ability to propose links between the different topics will be positively appreciated. On the other hand, the mnemonic exposure of the contents and the presence of logical leaps and gaps will be evaluated negatively.

Learning Assessment Scale

30-30L

• Report: Excellent performance demonstrating outstanding argumentation and content organization skills, complete mastery of the language and the culture of study, and excellent writing ability.
• PPT presentation: Excellent performance demonstrating a thorough understanding and presentation of the cultural notions and content covered in the course; excellent critical sense.

27-29

• Report: Above-average performance, with minor errors or compensated by more than sufficient demonstration of the required knowledge and language, writing, and argumentation skills.
• PPT presentation: Precise and comprehensive knowledge of the content, good ability to apply theoretical concepts, strong analytical and synthetic skills, confident and correct presentation.

24-26

• Report: Valid performance but with some evident errors indicating partial acquisition of the required knowledge and skills, as well as the required language, writing, and argumentation skills.
• PPT presentation: Appropriate knowledge of the content, decent ability to apply theoretical concepts, well-structured presentation of content, but with some issues concerning exposition and critical ability.

21-23

• Report: Sufficient performance but with noticeable limitations in the knowledge and skills to be acquired and inaccuracies in form and content. Weak argumentation or overly descriptive text.
• PPT presentation: Sufficient performance but with noticeable limitations in the acquisition and presentation of the cultural notions and content covered in the course; demonstrates limited critical ability.

18-20

• Report: Performance that only meets the minimum criteria for knowledge and skills to be acquired.
• PPT presentation: Barely sufficient performance that meets the minimum criteria; numerous knowledge and skills still need to be acquired. Sufficient but general content knowledge, simple presentation, uncertainties in applying theoretical concepts.

FAIL

• Report: Basic knowledge has not been achieved, the exam must be retaken.
• PPT presentation: Fragmented and superficial knowledge of the content, errors in applying concepts, inadequate presentation.

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: https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students. 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

The materials (readings, slides used in class, etc.) will be uploaded on the "Virtuale" e-learning platform.

Office hours

See the website of Rachele Antonini