The workshop provides a basic knowledge of English writing and reading by bringing students' competence to an "upper-intermediate" level. It focusses on the language of Anglophone texts relating to popular music and film. Students will improve their proficiency in English by studying and writing web-based journalism and blogs. They will also develop their skills in critical reading by responding to English-language journalism and by exploring different strategies of effective communication.
The course aims at providing a basic knowledge of English writing and reading, by bringing students' competence to an "upper-intermediate" level. Particularly, it will focus on the language of Anglophone medias, stimulating a critical approach in reading.
Upon completion of the course students will have experience of writing and giving presentations in English on a number of topics in popular culture. They will also have become acquainted with some important aspects of the history of music and film in postwar Britain.
Combination of traditional lectures and tutorials.
The course will centre around print and web-based music and film journals, blogs, as well as the writings of notable journalists and musicians such as Paul Morley and Dave Haslam (see reading list). Students will analyse these texts, and write and prepare their own work in response to them. Students will: develop their English language skills to ‘upper-intermediate level’; learn how to work together on group projects; develop skills in critical reading and analysis of English-language texts in a variety of different media.
Michael Bracewell. The Nineties: When Surface was Depth (London: Flamingo, 2002)
Haslam, Dave. Manchester, England: The Story of the Pop Cult City (London: Fourth Estate, 2000)
Morley, Paul. ‘Introduction’, in Kevin Cumming, Manchester: Looking for Light in the Pouring Rain (London: Faber & Faber, 2012)
John Robb. The North Will Rise Again: Manchester, Music City (London: Aurum Press, 2010)
Music journals: Pitchfork (pitchfork.com), The Quietus (thequietus.com)
Ricevimento: Students to meet with course tutor by appointment (anirudha.dhanawade@gmail.com)
ANIRUDHA DHANAWADE (President)
GABRIELLA PETTI (President)
FEDERICO RAHOLA (President)
March
WRITING WORKSHOP (ENGLISH)
Over the duration of the course students will compile a portfolio of music and film journalism on the film and music of their choice (each piece to be 750-1000 words).
Class participation and group presentations in class
