OVERVIEW

Language is a higher human cognitive function that distinguishes us from all other living beings, so studying its mechanisms of learning and use contributes to a deeper understanding of the human mind.This course aims to provide an advanced introduction to the science of language and its development, understood as an empirical scientific discipline.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide students with the theoretical and applied fundamentals of the psychology of language. It will cover these topics: methods in the study of language, with focus on quantitative, experimental, and observational methods; different bases of language: phylogenetic, ontogenetic, biological, cognitive and social; language acquisition. Students will also engage in the creation of a product/instrument to study language empirically. This project will be conducted, discussed, and presented in class in small groups. At the end of this course, students will possess theoretical and empirical knowledge to understand the processes underlying human language; they will be able to discuss differences between human and no-human forms of communication; they will be able to assess how learning, speaking and understanding language interact; they will have engaged with advanced tools of psycholinguistic analysis; they will know how to work in group to finalise an artefact/product on language; they will be able to present and discuss their product in public. Such skills lay the foundation for appropriate evidence-based translational practices.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this teaching, the student will be able to:

- Identify basic concepts and research findings, especially in the following areas: typical and atypical language development; reading comprehension; bilingualism

- Draw appropriate, thoughtful, and objective conclusions about language behavior and mental processes from empirical evidence.
 

PREREQUISITES

Foundations of general psychology and developmental psychology

TEACHING METHODS

Frontal lessons, group work, analysis of a research article

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Introduction to language development (typical and atypical); language components and research methods; main approaches to language development; reading comprehension (ability, processes, monitoring);  bilingualism (development and school learning); language and memory; metalanguage and definitional skills

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

For students attending lessons: 

1. Oakhill, J., Cain, K. Elbro (2021). La comprensione del testo, dalla ricerca alla pratica. ed. Carocci

2. a cura di Bonifacci, P. (2018). I bambini bilingui. ed. Carocci (a selection of chapters) 

3. Additional materials provided by the Lecturer

For students non attending lessons: 

1. Oakhill, J., Cain, K. Elbro (2021). La comprensione del testo, dalla ricerca alla pratica. ed. Carocci

2. a cura di Bonifacci, P. (2018). I bambini bilingui. ed. Carocci

3. Additional materials provided by the Lecturer

4. D'Odorico, L. (2015). Lo sviluppo linguistico, ed. Laterza

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

CATERINA ARTUSO (President)

DAVID GIOFRE'

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Lessons start in the Semester 2.

Please register with Aula Web to get access to the course materials and to receive regular updates on office hours and other information related to this course.

Class schedule

PSYCHOLOGY OF LANGUAGE

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

For students attending lessons: 

Written exam with open questions (brief response); critical analysis of a scientific article chosen by the student 

For students non attending lessons: 

Written exam with open questions (brief response)

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Written exam will include open questions on texts and materials introduced during the lessons

The student will have to show i) have acquired and learnt the teaching contents; ii) use the appropriate scientific lexicon; iii) critically analyze the acquired contents

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students possessing a “DSA" certification of disability or other special educational needs are advised to contact the teacher at the beginning of the course to agree on teaching and examination methods which, in accordance with the teaching objectives, take into account individual learning methods.

Students are referred to the Aulaweb platform for any updates that may become necessary during the course of the academic year (both with regard to the methods of delivery and examination).