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

1^st module (30 hours)

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

The module will provide an introduction to the relationship between language and institutions, with an analysis of the language of institutional and media discourse and 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 module 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 module is to develop students’ ability to recognise the ways in which power is disseminated in institutional, media or political discourse.

2^nd module (30 hours)

In the second module, lectures will examine multimodal aspects of discourse in an institutional context, exploring semiotic resources that, operating in tandem with language, contribute to the creation of meanings which circulate in society. The analytical frameworks studied during the 2^nd module will assist in the development of (1) an understanding of theoretical semiotic tenets; (2) an understanding of semiotic complementarity in the creation of meanings; (3) critical thinking skills as a continuous process and (4) challenges and recent developments regarding methodological approaches in the study of multimodal discourse.

During the course we will examine how multimodal discourse in institutional contexts contribute to issues of gender representation, to trigger emotions such as fear, as an element of social control, for instance. Texts to be discussed in class include artifacts produced by the media and creative industry as institutions that operate within specific orders of discourse.

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

Module one

For attending students, materials will be indicated by the lecturer at the start of the course.

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.

Module two

For attending students, materials will be indicated by the lecturer at the start of the course.

For non-attenders:

• Kress, Gunther and van Leeuwen, Theo. 2001. Multimodal Discourse: The Modes and Media of Contemporary Communication. London: Hodder Arnold Publication). Chapter 1: pp. 1-23.
• Bateman, J. A. (2011). The decomposability of semiotic modes. In Kay L. O’Halloran & Bradley A. Smith (Eds.), Multimodal studies: Multiple approaches and domains (pp. 17–38). London: Routledge.
• Veloso, Francisco O. D. & Bateman, John. 2013. The multimodal construction of acceptability: Marvel’s Civil War comic books and the PATRIOT Act. Critical Discourse Studies. Volume 10, Issue 4, pp. 427-443, DOI:10.1080/17405904.2013.813776.
• Altheide, David L. 2007. The mass media and terrorism. Discourse and Communication. SAGE Publications. Vol. 1(3), pp. 287-308.

Background reading includes (optional):

Flowerdew, John and Richardson, John E. 2018. The Routledge Handbook of Critical Discourse Studies (Routledge Handbooks in Applied Linguistics). Oxford and New York: Routledge.

Kress, Gunther; van Leeuwen, Theo. Reading images: the grammar of visual design. 2 ed. London: Routledge, 2006. Chapters 2-3: pp. 45-113.

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

Teaching methods

Module 1

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.

Module 2 demands a high level of interaction. Lectures will require students’ participation through brainstorming and discussions that will lead to the application of theory to communicative events, and through written and oral activities.

Assessment methods

Module 1

Attenders:

Written exam concerning course contents plus an evaluation of the interactive activities during the course.

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.

Module 2

Written exam concerning course contents, additionally to an evaluation of the interactive activities done during the course.

Non attenders:

Critical essay and oral exam based on the following texts:

Selection of texts, available at copisteria Broccaindosso:

• Bateman, J. A. (2011). The decomposability of semiotic modes. In Kay L. O’Halloran & Bradley A. Smith (Eds.), Multimodal studies: Multiple approaches and domains (pp. 17–38). London: Routledge.

• Kress, Gunther and van Leeuwen, Theo. 2001. Multimodal Discourse: The Modes and Media of Contemporary Communication. London: Hodder Arnold Publication). Chapter 1: pp. 1-23.
• Kress, Gunther; van Leeuwen, Theo. Reading images: the grammar of visual design. 2 ed. London: Routledge, 2006. Chapters 2-3: pp. 45-113.
• Veloso, Francisco O. D. & Bateman, John. 2013. The multimodal construction of acceptability: Marvel’s Civil War comic books and the PATRIOT Act. Critical Discourse Studies. Volume 10, Issue 4, pp. 427-443, DOI:10.1080/17405904.2013.813776.
• Altheide, David L. 2007. The mass media and terrorism. Discourse and Communication. SAGE Publications. Vol. 1(3), pp. 287-308.

Non-attending students are required to write a critical essay on a selected topic, of around 2,500 words to demonstrate their understanding of theoretical aspects of the course, acquired through readings, and the ability to reflect on concepts and apply them to a case study. Further details will be sent to students during the semester.

 

 

Linguaggi specifici 2 – esercitazioni: 33% of the overall 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 Module 1, Module 2 and the language practice exam.

The mark for Module 1 and Module 2 makes up 66.6% of the overall course mark.

Teaching tools

Authentic texts in English, Internet, Powerpoint

Office hours

See the website of Jane Helen Johnson

See the website of Francisco Osvanilson Dourado Veloso