Learning outcomes

MODULE "Text Analysis and Text Types"

The module aims to provide in-depth knowledge of English textual analysis and pragmatics, drawing special attention to text typologies and the relevant characteristics of each text type, based on De Beaugrande and Dressler’s (1981) model.

MODULE "American Political Discourse"

The course is aimed at providing the theoretical background, the methodology and adequate tools of linguistic analysis for analyzing political discourse. Special emphasis is put on US political discourse, and on political speeches in particular.

Program

MODULE "Text Analaysis and Text Types"

The main topics covered will be:
- Conversational Implicature
- Speech Act Theory
- Text, context and co-text; text vs. non-text;
- De Beaugrande and Dressler’s (1981) model of textual analysis;
- Standards of Textuality;
- The notions of text type and genre;
- Classification of various txt types and analyses of texts;


Reading List*:

Biber Douglas (1989) “A Typology of English Texts” Linguistics 27: 3-43
De Beaugrande Robert and Wolfgang U. Dressler (1980) Introduction to Text Linguistics, London, Longman (Basic Notions)
Huang, Yan (2006) Pragmatics, Oxford, Oxford University Press (Ch. 1; Ch.2: 23-35; 54-63; Ch.4 : 93-131)
Lakoff, Robin Tolmach (2009) “Conversational Logic” in J. Verschueren and J.Ola Ostman (eds.) Key Notions for Pragmatics, Amsterdam, John Benjamins: 102-113.
Merlini Barbaresi Lavinia (2003) “Towards a Theory of Text Complexity” in L. Merlini Barbaresi (ed.) Complexity in Language and Text, Pisa, Edizioni Plus
Trosborg, Anna (1997) “Text Typology: Register, Genre and Text Type”, in A. Trosborg (ed.) Text Typology and Translation, Trosborg, Anna (ed.), Amsterdam, John Benjamnins: 4-23.

* Additional references will be indicated at the beginning of the course. Every possible variation in the reading list will also be announced through the course website.

Advanced and optional:

Biber, Douglas, Susan Conrad and Geoffrey Leech (2002) Longman Student Grammar of Spoken and Written English, London, Longman


MODULE “American Political Discourse”

The course focuses on the analysis of American political language on the lexical, semantic and conceptual levels. In addition to the linguistic approach to the analysis, due consideration will be given to the ideologies that underlie American political discourse and to their specific connotations in the cultural context of the US.

Essential readings:
Charteris-Black, Jonathan. 2005. Politicians and Rhetoric: the Persuasive Power of Metaphor. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. (chs. 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12).
Lakoff, George. 2004. Don’t Think of an Elephant. White River Junction: Chelsea Green.

Further information on relevant literature will be provided at the beginning of the course.

The course will be held in English.

Examination Methods

MODULE "Text Analysis and Text Types"

Written test on textual analysis

MODULE "American Political Discourse"

Oral exam

The final mark will be registered after completing the various parts in the exam.

Prerequisites: Lingua Inglese 1LM (English Language 1LM