OVERVIEW

The theoretical part of course is an introduction to pragmatics and text analysis. It is meant to support students in the study of English linguistics they began in the first and second year and to support them in developing their communicative competence at an advanced level. The practical part of the course is meant to support students in reaching level C1.1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

AIMS AND CONTENT

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The theory part aims to support students in developing:

- an understanding of the main theoretical frameworks of modern pragmatics; 

- their analytical, critical and thinking skills;

- their own communicative skills as well as the ability to perform basic pragmatic analyses of texts;

The practice part aims to bring students to the C1.1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. 

PREREQUISITES

English Language 1 and English Language 2, namely a solid knowledge of the phonology, morphology and syntax of the English Language, as well as a B2 level of English in the four skills (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) according the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. 

TEACHING METHODS

The linguistics module is made up of weekly lectures (3 hours a week over 10 weeks in the first semester). 

The practical module is made up of weekly classes (5 hours a week over 20 weeks, i.e. 10 weeks per semester). 

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

English Language III is divided into two parts: a one-semester linguistics module ("modulo teorico"), which is held in the first semester and is described in more detail below, and a two-semester practical module ("modulo pratico" or "esercitazioni"). 

Each component ("modulo pratico" and "modulo teorico") is assessed separately. The practical module is assessed at the end of the second semester through a written exam paper (Use of English, Reading and Comprehension, Listening and Comprehension, Writing) and an oral exam. The linguistics module is assessed through a computer-based test at the end of the first semester. 

The linguistics module ("modulo teorico") is an introduction to pragmatics and text analysis. Topics to be discussed include:

• (Propositional, implied, intended, perceived) Meaning in context
• Meaning potential
• Situational Context - Contextual variables
• Background knowledge context/ knowledge of the world (KOW) - Encyclopaedic/cultural VS (inter)personal KOW
• Co-text
• Deixis
• Reduction in explicitness
• Cohesion VS coherence
• Cohesive devices
• Dimensions of lexical meaning
• Value-free VS Value-loaded words
• Shannon and Weaver’s adapted model of communication, positivist and structuralist perspectives: communication as a product VS communication as a process
• Entailments
• Presuppositions
• Assumptions
• Relation between linguistic exponents and communicative functions
• Speech act theory: explicitness (performativity) VS implicitness, constative VS performatives, Searle’s macro-classes
• Directness VS Indirectness
• Felicity conditions (Austin)
• Preparatory/essential/sincerity conditions (Searle)
• Macro-functions of talk: transactional VS interactional
• Appropriacy to Context
• Conversation analysis: turn-taking, transition relevance place (TRP), adjacency pairs, sequences, attributable VS non-attributable silence, interruptions VS overlaps.
• Conventional VS Conversational implicatures
• The Cooperative Principle
• Maxims of the Cooperative Principle
• Politeness: Brown and Levinson VS Leech’s Politeness Principle
• Relevance: Sperber and Wilson

The practical language module aims to bring students to the C1.1 level (lower end of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages C1 level). More information about the practical component is available on Aulaweb. 

The final mark is calculated as follows:

50% (of the overall mark) is the written + oral practical part (35% of which is the written part and 15% of which is the oral part),
50% (of the overall mark) is the theory part.

Those students who cannot attend classes will not be required to integrate the syllabus in any way: they will need to study the same syllabus as those students who can attend. 

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Theoretical module. 

1) Cruse A., 2011, Meaning in Language, OUP: Oxford; pp. 28-29, 42-43, 364-377 , 401-407 , 414-424, 426-432; ("Theoretical Module_References" folder on Aulaweb)

2) Cutting J., 2008, Pragmatics and Discourse, Routledge: London & NY; Sections: pp. 1-54+55-76 ("Theoretical Module_References" folder on Aulaweb)

3) Douthwaite J., 1991, Teaching English as a Foreign Language, Sei: Torino; Only Chapter 2: “Sociolinguistic Aspects of Language and Language Teaching” ("Theoretical Module_References" folder on Aulaweb)

4) Douthwaite J., 2000, Towards a Linguistic Theory of Foregrounding, Edizioni dell’Orso: Alessandria; pp. 51, 54, 60-65, 72-74, 100; ("Theoretical Module_References" folder on Aulaweb)

5) Grice H. P., 1975, “Logic and Conversation”, In Syntax and Semantics, Vol. 3, Speech Acts, P. Cole & J. L. Morgan, Academic Press : NY; pp. 45–47, 49; ("Theoretical Module_References" folder on Aulaweb)

Practical module: Reading & Comprehension+Use of English

Outcomes advanced student's book (2nd Edition): https://www.cengage.com.br/ngl/outcomes/

Practical module: Listening + Writing

- Newspaper articles (provided by the teacher) are read and discussed during the lessons. Every two weeks students are invited to write a composition at home, which is collected and corrected by the teacher.

- The listening material is either texts read by the teacher or recorded material on CDs. Further links to listening materials will be provided on Denys Jones's Aulaweb.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ELISABETTA ZURRU (President)

LAURA SANTINI

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Classes for this course start at the beginning of the first semester for the BA course in Modern Languages and Cultures. 

Class schedule

ENGLISH LANGUAGE III A

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The linguistics module is assessed through a computer-based exam. Students will be asked to both provide answers to theoretical questions and perform brief pragmatic analyses of texts. The aim of the exam is to assess students' critical and thinking skills, their ability to understand, discuss and elaborate on the pragmatic theories studied during the course and to apply them when analysing texts written in English.

The practical module is assessed at the end of the second semester through a written exam paper (Use of English, Reading and Comprehension, Listening and Comprehension, Writing) and an oral exam. Students will be expected to have reached the C1.1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages in the four skills (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) by the end of the course. 

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The linguistics module is assessed through a computer-based exam. Students will be asked to both reply to theoretical questions and perform brief pragmatic analyses of texts. The aim of the exam is to assess students' critical and thinking skills, their ability to understand, discuss and elaborate on the pragmatic theories studied during the course and to apply them when analysing texts written in English.

The practical module is assessed at the end of the second semester through a written exam paper (Use of English, Reading and Comprehension, Listening and Comprehension, Writing) and an oral exam. Students will be expected to have reached the C1.1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages in the four skills (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) by the end of the course.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Attendance is not obligatory but strongly recommended.

Signing up for the written and oral exams is obligatory. Failure to do so in time will result in the automatic exclusion from exams.

English Language III Fraz. A can be attended by all 3rd year students enrolled on the LCM (Lingue e Culture Moderne) course with surnames A-K and by Erasmus students. Erasmus students are invited to contact Dr. Zurru during her office hours as soon as they arrive. 

Students with disabilities and/or special needs are invited to get in touch with the lecturer during her office hours at the beginning of the course, so that their specific needs can be addressed both in terms of classes and assessment. They should also get in touch with Prof. Sara Dickinson (sara.dickinson@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.