Studying at the University of Verona

Here you can find information on the organisational aspects of the Programme, lecture timetables, learning activities and useful contact details for your time at the University, from enrolment to graduation.

This information is intended exclusively for students already enrolled in this course.
If you are a new student interested in enrolling, you can find information about the course of study on the course page:

Laurea in Lingue e letterature straniere - Enrollment from 2025/2026

The Study Plan includes all modules, teaching and learning activities that each student will need to undertake during their time at the University.
Please select your Study Plan based on your enrollment year.

CURRICULUM TIPO:

1° Year 

ModulesCreditsTAFSSD
1 module between the following
6
A
L-FIL-LET/10

2° Year   activated in the A.Y. 2023/2024

ModulesCreditsTAFSSD
1st foreign language
2nd foreign language
1 module between the following

3° Year   activated in the A.Y. 2024/2025

ModulesCreditsTAFSSD
1 module among the following (philology related to 1st or 2nd foreign language)
6
C
M-FIL/04
1 module between the following
Final exam
6
E
-
ModulesCreditsTAFSSD
1 module between the following
6
A
L-FIL-LET/10
activated in the A.Y. 2023/2024
ModulesCreditsTAFSSD
1st foreign language
2nd foreign language
1 module between the following
activated in the A.Y. 2024/2025
ModulesCreditsTAFSSD
1 module among the following (philology related to 1st or 2nd foreign language)
6
C
M-FIL/04
1 module between the following
Final exam
6
E
-
Modules Credits TAF SSD
Between the years: 1°- 2°- 3°
3rd language B1 level
3
F
-
Between the years: 1°- 2°- 3°

Legend | Type of training activity (TTA)

TAF (Type of Educational Activity) All courses and activities are classified into different types of educational activities, indicated by a letter.




S Placements in companies, public or private institutions and professional associations

Teaching code

4S00879

Coordinator

Chiara Melloni

Credits

9

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

L-LIN/01 - HISTORICAL AND GENERAL LINGUISTICS

Period

I semestre (Lingue e letterature straniere) dal Sep 25, 2023 al Dec 22, 2023.

Courses Single

Authorized

Learning objectives

At the end of the course the student will know the basic theoretical knowledge of linguistics, the different levels of linguistic analysis (phonetics and phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics) and the technical terminology. Furthermore, he will be able to describe and recognise the linguistic phenomena occurring in the different levels of analysis, especially from a synchronic point of view.

Prerequisites and basic notions

None

Program

This course provides an introduction to the field of linguistics with a focus on language acquisition. We will explore the fundamental concepts, theories, and methods used in the study of language, aiming to understand how humans acquire and use language in various contexts. The course will cover topics such as phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics, all viewed through the lens of language acquisition.
Course Goals:
1. Develop a basic understanding of the key areas of linguistics and their relevance to language acquisition.
2. Familiarize students with the major theories and approaches to language acquisition.
3. Explore the nature of language structure and the processes involved in language acquisition.
4. Apply theoretical knowledge to real-world examples and case studies to gain a deeper understanding of language acquisition processes.
Outline:
Unit 1: Introduction to Linguistics and Language Acquisition
• Overview of linguistics as a scientific discipline
• Introduction to the study of language acquisition
• Nature vs. nurture debate in language development
• Historical perspectives on language acquisition research
Unit 2: Phonetics and Phonology
• Introduction to phonetics: articulatory phonetics, phonetic transcription
• The role of phonology in language acquisition
• Phonological development in children
• Second language acquisition and phonological challenges
Unit 3: Morphology
- Basic concepts of morphology: morphemes and words
- Morphological processes: derivation, composition, inflection
- Development of morphology and morphological awareness
Unit 4: Syntax
- Basic concepts of syntax: the notion of category and feature, valency, constituents, sentence structure
- The acquisition of syntax: typical and atypical development
Unit 4: Semantics and Pragmatics
- Meaning and its acquisition: semantic development in children
- Development of pragmatic skills: learning how to use language
Unit 5: Language Disorders and Language Acquisition
• Language development delays and disorders
• Language acquisition in individuals with developmental disabilities
• Language acquisition research and its impact on clinical practice

Bibliography

Visualizza la bibliografia con Leganto, strumento che il Sistema Bibliotecario mette a disposizione per recuperare i testi in programma d'esame in modo semplice e innovativo.

Didactic methods

The course will consist of lectures and classroom exercises and/or correction of assigned tasks. The suspended lessons will be made up within the duration of the course according to the methods/timescales indicated by the teacher through the Announcements of the Moodle platform. Non-attending students will find the teaching materials uploaded on the course's Moodle page, which they are invited to register for as soon as possible.

Learning assessment procedures

Final written examination covering the entire course content.
Duration of the test: 1 hour.
The test comprises open-ended and multiple-choice questions.
The examination will assess the student's knowledge of the theoretical basics of the study of language, the different levels of linguistic analysis (phonetics and phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics), the stages of linguistic development and specific technical terminology. The student's ability to describe and recognise linguistic phenomena occurring at the different levels of analysis will also be tested, especially from a synchronic and acquisitional point of view.
On a voluntary basis / for selected students: Group projects and presentations on language acquisition case studies. The bonus points (0-3) for this presentation will be added to the final grade.

Students with disabilities or specific learning disorders (SLD), who intend to request the adaptation of the exam, must follow the instructions given HERE

Evaluation criteria

- substantial correctness of the answers and exhaustiveness of the contents;
- possession of adequate analytical skills;
- expressive clarity and argumentative ability.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

The exam will be evaluated on a scale from 18 to 30 (cum laude) and will correspond to the result obtained in the written assignment. If the student has participated in a presentation in class, the score obtained in the presentation (from 0 to 3) will be added to that of the test to define the final grade.

Exam language

Italiano