OVERVIEW

The course consists of two parts:

1. Theoretical module (Prof. Gattiglia): the theoretical module introduces students to the analysis of political and institutional discourse in French-speaking countries, with a focus on France.

2. French language exercises (Prof. Ozza).

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The object of the course is the systematic study of French in its phonological, morphological, syntactical and lexical dimensions. It also aims at developing students’ spoken and written competence with a special attention to politics, economics and law discourse.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course has the following educational objectives:

Theoretical module

The main objective of the theoretical module is to develop skills in analysing political discourse based on political communication in French; these skills are used to identify the strategies employed by political and institutional actors to build consensus. This objective is divided into the following sub-objectives:

• To introduce the basic concepts and methods related to rhetoric, discourse analysis and the study of argumentation.

• To develop skills in analysing French-language political and institutional discourse.

• To provide basic knowledge of French-speaking cultures and institutions, with a particular focus on France.

Students taking the 9-credit course will explore the second sub-objective in greater depth through the study of the implicit (see Programme).

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Be able to identify the main discursive strategies in political communication.

• Be able to apply the knowledge acquired to the analysis of political and institutional discourse.

Language exercises

The language exercise programme is the same for both the 8 and 9 credit study plans.

The language exercises have the following educational objectives:

• Develop knowledge of the French language in its phonological, morphological, syntactic and lexical dimensions.

• Develop students' written and oral skills in French.

• Introduce terms from the specialist language of politics, economics and law.

At the end of the course, students will have acquired French language skills equivalent to level B1 of the CEFR and will be able to:

• Understand the main points of an informative or argumentative discourse in standard language or in a familiar variety dealing with topics covered in the course.

• Read and write simple, straightforward factual texts on topics related to the field of study.

• Explain the main points of a concept and comment on a topic related to the field of study.

PREREQUISITES

There are no specific requirements.

TEACHING METHODS

Theoretical module

Lessons comprising a lecture component and a workshop component (analysis of political speeches). In-depth seminars will be offered during the year.

Language exercises

Lectures.

The lessons of the theoretical module and Language exercises are held in person. Attendance is strongly recommended.

Students with disabilities or students with specific learning disorders

Students with disabilities or specific learning disorders who have the appropriate certification are asked to contact the course lecturer (Nora Gattiglia) if they wish to discuss any adjustments to the examination method.

Students with disabilities or specific learning difficulties who have a certificate are asked to contact the course lecturer (Nora Gattiglia) if they wish to discuss any adjustments to the examination method.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Theoretical module

The theoretical module is divided into four modules.

Module 1: Introduction to rhetoric (8 and 9 credit programme)

• The main rhetorical figures in French-language political communication: metaphor, metonymy, hyperbole, paronomasia, anaphora, epiphora, enumeration.

Module 2: Introduction to discourse analysis (8 and 9 credit programme)

• The objectives, history and methods of discourse analysis.

• Characteristics of discourse.

• Discourse, text, utterance.

• Enunciation: utterance, enunciator, situation of enunciation.

• Embrayeurs.

• Discourse genre: genres of political discourse. In-depth study: the genre of public communication campaigns (campaigns against gender-based violence).

• Technodiscourse. In-depth study: political communication on social media.

• Authority, credibility and legitimacy in political communication.

• Formulas.

Module 3: Introduction to the study of argumentation (8 and 9 CFU programmes)

• Argumentation.

• Arguments and argumentative patterns.

• Ethos: discursive and pre-discursive ethos, collective ethos, digital ethos.

For the 9 CFU programme only:

• The implicit.

Module 4: French and Francophone institutions (independent study).

Language exercises

The programme of exercises aimed at achieving level B1 of the CEFR focuses on phonetics, morphosyntax, and oral and written comprehension of simple texts relating to French institutions. The texts will explore topics such as the symbols of the French Republic, the rights and duties of citizens, local authorities, and the achievement of women's rights.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Theoretical module

• Maingueneau, Dominique. 2021 [1998]. Analyser les textes de communication. Paris: Armand Colin. The text is available at the Department of Political Science library. The lecturer will indicate the parts to be studied in class and in the material uploaded to Aulaweb.

• Materials uploaded to Aulaweb (PPT presentations of the lectures and supplementary materials).

For non-attending students:

• Raus, Rachele. 2021. Fesp. Le français pour les étudiants de sciences politiques. Naples: Edizioni giuridiche Simone. Chapters 1, 2, 8, 10.

Language exercises

• Maia Grégoire and Odile Thiévenaz, Grammaire progressive du français. Niveau intermédiaire A2 B1, quatrième édition, CLE International, 2017.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

NORA GATTIGLIA (President)

VALERIE EMMA OZZA (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Theory module

Tuesday, 2pm-4pm, classroom 8, Albergo dei Poveri.

Thursday, 2pm-3pm, classroom 3, Albergo dei Poveri.

The timetable for language exercises is available on the course's Aulaweb page.

Class schedule

LANGUAGE, CULTURE AND INSTITUTIONS OF FRENCH-SPEAKING COUNTRIES I

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Theoretical module

Oral exam. The exam consists of a presentation in French of the theoretical content and an analysis of a French-language political or institutional speech, based on the model used in class.

Language exercises

1. Attending students: there will be two written exams, one mid-term and one final, to test grammatical knowledge and knowledge of the fact sheets on French institutions.

2. Non-attending students: one final written test.

The written examination consists of multiple-choice questions and cloze tests (texte à trous).

ESABAC students and those with DELF certification are exempt from the written test and will only have to take the oral examination (theoretical module).

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Written and oral tests.

The oral test of the theoretical module will assess knowledge of the theoretical concepts presented in the course and their application to the analysis of political and institutional discourse.

The computerised written test will assess both B1 level morphosyntactic skills (verb conjugation, simple nominal and verbal sentence structure, nominal phrase structure, etc.) and knowledge of French institutions.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Registration on Aulaweb

Registration on Aulaweb is mandatory for both attending and non-attending students. Registration on Aulaweb is required in order to take the written exam.

Registration on the Aulaweb platform is mandatory for both attending and non-attending students. Registration on Aulaweb is mandatory in order to take the written exam.

Exam registration

Exam registration is mandatory. Registration closes one week before the exam.

Registration for exams is mandatory. Registration is open until one week before the exam.