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C9067 - LINGUA INGLESE I (LM)

Academic Year 2026/2027

                
                        Docente:
                        Gaia Aragrande
                    
                        Credits:
                        9
                    
                        SSD:
                        ANGL-01/C
                    
                        Language:
                        English
                    
                        Teaching Mode:
                        In-person learning (entirely or partially)
                        
                            Campus:
                            Bologna
                        
                            Corso:
                            Second cycle degree programme (LM) in
                            Teaching L2 Italian, Plurilingualism, Interculturality (cod. 6243)

                                    Course Timetable
                                
from Sep 25, 2026 to Dec 18, 2026

Learning outcomes

Students will gain an in-depth knowledge of the linguistic and discursive aspects of the English language from both a synchronic and diachronic perspective. Students will gain experience in text and critical discourse analysis. Through language classes, students will consolidate language skills at the C1 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. This will enable them to effectively interpret the sociolinguistic and cultural codes of the individuals involved in a communicative relationship.

Course contents

"Lectures"

The lectures will focus on the analysis of various text types (instructions, newspaper articles, blog posts, academic abstracts), with the aim of letting students familiarize with different styles and content in English and of teaching the theoretical-methodological tools for analysis.

The course features two parts. In one part of the course, we will focus on English varieties and on the use of corpora as a tool for exploring and observing differences between linguistic varieties. This part pf the course will also include some sociolinguistic concepts such as diastratic and diatopic variation and linguistic hegemony focusing in particular on English as a killer language.

The other part of the course will delve deeper into academic research methodologies in the field of English Studies. This part offers a more linguistic and cultural exploration of the English language and how to study it, therefore we will consider the principles of discourse analysis (Foucault, 1972; Schiffrin, 2001; Baker, 2006; Formato, 2022), critical discourse analysis (Halliday, 2004; Van Dijk, 2001, 2020) — both supported by the use of corpora (Corpus Linguistics, Partington 2013 and 2026) — conceptual metaphor theory (Lakoff and Johnson, 1980), framing theory (Entman, 1993, 2004, 2007), and "representational theory" and "visual grammar" (Van Leeuwen, 2008; Kress, Van Leeuwen, 2020). This part will follow a bottom-up approach by presenting some case studies to exemplify the linguistic theories being addressed at each stage. The materials for analysis will include both written texts of various types as well as audiovisual texts in English. In both cases, students will engage with the complex structures of the English language, from both a linguistic and a cultural perspective.

The course includes both lectures and workshop/seminarial sessions. Various international guests will be invited to lead seminars of different kinds.

"Language classes / Language lab"

The language classes are aimed at consolidating and strengthening language skills and at deepening linguistic and discursive aspects of the English language, with a particular focus on academic English. Through the language classes, students will improve their practical communicative skills, especially in writing and reading comprehension abilities.

Dr. Simona Vasile is in charge of the "Language classes".

Readings/Bibliography

Required readings:

Van Dijk, T. A. (2001). Critical Discourse Analysis. In D. Schiffrin, D. Tannen, & H. E. Hamilton (Eds.), The Handbook of Discourse Analysis (pp. 352–371). Malden, MA: Blackwell.

Entman, R. M. 1993. Framing: Toward Clarifi cation of a Fractured Paradigm. J. Commun. 43(4):51–58.

Manninen, S., Turner, E., & Wadsö-Lecaros, C. (2020). Writing in English at University: A Guide for Second Language Writers. (Lund Studies in English). Centre for Languages and Literature, Lund University. 63-67; 70-71; 104-109; 115-128.

Partington, A., 2026. The Language of Persuasion in Politics and the Media - An Introduction. Second edition, London: Routledge. Units 2,3, pp. 36-65.

Teaching methods

Lectures and workshops. Students are encouraged to actively participate in the classes.

Assessment methods

LECTURES

The exam is designed to assess the skills acquired during the lectures through the presentation of a case study supported by PowerPoint slides or other software.

The student will prepare a short case study drawing on one or more of the theories covered during the course. If they wish so, they can model it on the examples provided during the lectures. Students will choose the topic and the texts (in English) for the case study independently. Students can, however, contact the lecturer to ask questions or receive clarifications. Students will also write a short abstract (200–250 words max) on the same topic as the case study, written in academic English in accordance with the instructions the lecturer will provide during the course.

There are two ways to take the exam, students need to choose ONE OF THE TWO FOLLOWING EXAM OPTIONS:

1. FLIPPED CLASS EXAM Presentation of the case study in class, accompanied by the abstract, during the last week of lectures. It is possible to take the exam in groups of 2–3 students. Presentation format: 1 student: 10–12 minutes; 2–3 students: 20–25 minutes.

2. ORAL EXAM During the regular exam session, taken individually. The case study presentation must last 10–12 minutes, after which the student must be prepared to answer some questions from the instructor. The total duration of this part of the exam will be a maximum of 15–17 minutes.

Regardless of the format chosen, the presentation and the abstract must be in English, and any texts chosen by the student, of whatever nature, must be in English.

LANGUAGE CLASSES

Information on the written test for the language classes will follow once the language instructor will be appointed

The final grade will be the sum of the scores obtained in the above-mentioned assessments (Lectures and Language classes).

Please note that, for the purposes of grade registration, it will also be necessary to complete the written part of the language classes. Students may only accept or reject the final grade in its entirety (Lectures+language classes). Once a students rejects the final grade, they will need to take both assessments (Lectures and Language Classes) again. Please note that from the moment one of the two assessments is completed, the grade obtained for that assessment will remain valid for 12 months. The final grade consists of the weighted average of the two assessments, distributed as follows: 2x Lectures and 1x Language classes.

Example of final grade calculation: Language classes: 25 Lectures: 28 (2×28)+25/3 = 27

Teaching tools

Slides, handouts, videos.

Students with SLDs or temporary or permanent disabilities: we suggest that you contact the relevant university office (link here) and your teacher immediately to work together to find the most effective strategies for attending classes and/or preparing for exams.
Any requests for exam accommodations must be made at least 15 days before the date of the exam, by sending an email to the teacher and copying (Cc) the email address disabilita@unibo.it (in case of disability) or dsa@unibo.it (for students with Specific Learning Difficulties)

Office hours

See the website of Gaia Aragrande