ECTS - University of Pisa
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LESSONS WILL START ON SEPTEMBER 19TH AT 10.15 IN ROOM B2.
Tutti devono da subito iscriversi alla pagina Moodle https://elearning22.humnet.unipi.it/course/view.php?id=13
The course adopts a contrastive approach to the higher-level processes at work in communication in English and Italian, with the aim of developing awareness of the mechanisms involved in making and deriving meaning in social interaction. The course is made up of three parts: Module A (prof. Cappelli – 3 cfu) introduces such classic pragmatic notions and categories as deixis, speech acts, presuppositions, implicatures, so that they can be used as tools for the analysis of English real texts and conversations. Module B (prof. Bruti – 3 cfu) will focus on the analysis of politeness strategies in interaction and in translated texts. Module C (prof. Cappelli – 3 cfu) will focus on some of the principles and tools necessary to carry out applied research on the English language. It will be organized as a practical workshop in which students will be asked to explore some of the concepts discussed in Module A and B through the quantitative and qualitative corpus-based analysis of authentic data. By the end of the course, learners are expected to reach the CEFR C1 (advanced) level of proficiency in English.
The level can be attested by presenting one of the recognized international certificates of English (see http://www.shorturl.at/jpsOT) or by successfully completing the C1-level “lettorato” (language practice) course taught by English speaking instructors (Dr. Doherty). All students, including those who already have the C1 level, are invited to attend at least two of the specialised courses available starting this academic year: advanced speaking skills (1st term, Dr. Steve Smith; 2nd term, Dr. Jenny Fowler), academic writing (Dr. Lori Ristevski), Italian-to-English translation (Dr. Tracy Hale). This is a new opportunity offered to all advanced learners, in line with the feedback received over the years through the course evaluation questionnaires, and which will hopefully provide useful skills for English language majors.
The course is made up of two parts: a thematic course given by the lecturers (prof. S. Bruti and prof. G. Cappelli) and language practice courses taught by English speaking instructors (Dr Doherty core C1; Dr Smith, Fowler, Ristevski, Hale the special courses). Both the course and the C1-level language practice aim at bringing the participants to the required advanced level of proficiency in English necessary for obtaining the 9 credits. Students are required to prove that they have the C1 level of English (either by successfully passing the final language practice test or by presenting a recognized international certificate obtained in the prior 24 months). The thematic course will take place in the first term (September – December). The C1 language practice classes will run for the two terms (September - December and February – May).
The new optional specialised courses will be offered in the second term (with the sole exception of advanced spoken skills, which will also be offered in the first term), to give less proficient students the opportunity to reach a suitable level to also benefit from them. Students who intend to write their final thesis on English linguistics are highly advised to attend the special academic writing course.
In order to complete the lecturers’ course and receive the course credits, all students are required to take a written assessment test focusing on the contents of the thematic course. Two partial assessment tests will be offered at the end of module A and B to students who will have attended on a regular basis (70%) and completed all the activities proposed by the lecturers throughout the course. Module C will consist in a small-scale applied study whose results will be discussed at the oral exam through a 5-minute slide presentation. The oral exam will also include questions relative to specific relevant topics covered by modules A and B.
Students who do not meet the attendance requirement for the end-of-module tests or who choose not to complete module-C applied work, will have to sit a written exam and will have to complete alternative readings that will be discussed at the oral exam alongside the contents of modules A and B.
After the end of the course, the end-of-module tests will be made available to all students who have not met the requirements to take them in mid-term, so that they can be used as practice tests in preparation for the full exam.
The final mark for English Language 3 is determined based on the results obtained in the lecturers’ course exam. No extra points are assigned based on the results of the language practice test, because the attainment of the C1 level of English is an essential requirement to successfully pass the exam, and it is in any English language major’s interest to reach the best possible proficiency level.
Please note that the lecturers’ oral exam will also assess students’ proficiency level. If the members of the exam committee judge that the examinee’s level is greatly below the required level to complete the third-year exam, knowledge of the contents of the theoretical course will not be sufficient to receive a passing mark. For this reason, we suggest that students who are aware that they need to improve their language proficiency level significantly sit the exam at the end of the second term, after taking full advantage of the many language learning opportunities offered by the C1-level language practice courses, rather than in the first possible exam session.
Students will be able to communicate at a C1 proficiency level. They will be able to discuss the principles of pragmatic communication and carry out basic research on authentic data.
Online quizzes and practical activities will be carried out to verify the acquisition of the relevant concepts and skills.
Students will interact communicating with accuracy and precision of expression in appropriate ways relative to the levels of formality vs. informality required by the proposed situations.
Students will be requested to actively participate in the discussions during the lessons and to carry out the activities proposed by the lecturers.
To sit the course exam, students must have completed the English Language 1 and 2 courses, and the final marks must have been recorded on their exam book.
A solid B2+ English proficiency level is required.
No mandatory co-requisites, but all students are advised to take advantge of the language courses made available to them.
Face-to-face lectures, online activities, individual project work, language workshops.
TITLE OF THE COURSE: "Pragmatics and the English language. Theory and practice"
Pragmatics is the study of how speakers use words and sentences to convey meaning above and beyond their literal expressions. This course surveys several core issues in general pragmatics and theories of politeness and offers basic tools for applied corpus-based research in the English language.
Module A: Pragmatics
The Pragmatics module will be focused on the following topics: 1. semantics vs. pragmatics; 2. context and types of knowledge necessary to recover intended meaning (situational, general background knowledge, interpersonal); 3. deixis; 4. entailment and presupposition; 5. speech acts; 6. inferences and the Cooperative Principle; 7. intercultural pragmatics; 8. Post-Gricean and experimental pragmatics. Students enrolled in the course will be asked to complete some practical activities focusing on the topics of the course with the aim of enhancing their understanding of the way in which pragmatics shapes and explains language use in native and non-native English.
Module B: Politeness strategies
Module B will focus on the analysis of politeness strategies in interaction as well as in translated texts.
Module C: The tools of applied research
Module C will focus on some of the principles and tools necessary to carry out applied research on the English language. It will introduce the basic steps of the applied linguistic research process and the tools for data collection and analysis. It will be organized as a practical workshop in which students will be asked to explore some of the concepts discussed in Module A and B through the quantitative and qualitative corpus-based analysis of authentic data. Special attention will be devoted to the features of English for academic communication.
Module A: Primary texts
Culpeper, J. and Haugh, M. (2014), Pragmatics and the English language, Palgrave Macmillan.
The specific sections focusing on the topics discussed in class will be indicated on the electronic course register.
Secondary readings (non-mandatory):
Secondary readings are meant to offer additional practice on/insights into the topics discussed in class. They are not mandatory readings, and they are included in the programme as a suggestion for students who will not be able to attend the lessons or who wish to read further on specific issues.
Cutting, J. (2015), Pragmatics. A resource book for students, 3rd Ed., London and NY: Routledge.
Kecskes, I. (2014), Intercultural Pragmatics, Oxford: OUP
Peccei, J. (1999), Pragmatics, London: Routledge.
O’Keeffe, A. et al. (2011), Introducing Pragmatics in Use, London and NY: Routledge.
*Further reading materials may be recommended throughout the course.
Module B: Primary texts
Bruti, S. (2021) “The politeness/rudeness gradient in translation: examples from TV series”, in Tradurre l'oralità. Aspetti pragmatici e culturali, a cura di Giuliana Garzone ed Elena Liverani, special issue of MediAzioni 31.
Bruti, S. (2013) La cortesia. Aspetti culturali e problemi traduttivi, Pisa, Pisa University Press.
Dynel, M. (2016) “Conceptualizing conversational humour as (im)politeness: The case of film talk” in Journal of Politeness Research 12 [1], pp. 117–47.
Pillière, L. (2013) “Dr. House and the Language of Offence”, in Jobert M. and Jamet D. (eds.), Aspects of Linguistic Impoliteness, Cambridge, Cambridge Scholars Publishing, pp. 60–74.
*Further readings may be suggested during the Course. Some texts will be available online on the e-learning page of the Course.
Module C
Being a practical module, the readings are only recommended and not mandatory, in case students need to expand on the topics discussed.
Baker, P. (2006) Using Corpora in Discourse Analysis. London: Continuum.
Sealey, A. (2010) Researching English Language, London: Routledge.
Secondary readings (also non-mandatory):
As an example of a corpus-based study:
Carr G, Bednarek M. (2019) Beyond risk and safety? Identifying shifts in sex education advice targeted at young women. Discourse & Society 30(3), 225-247. doi:10.1177/0957926519828029
Students who cannot attend the Course are kindly invited to contact the lecturers. Updates concerning classes, materials and further activities (end-of-module assessment tests) can be found on the e-learning page of the course. The contents of the tests and of the exams are the same for all students.
Mandatory reading for non-attending students:
Baker, P. (2006) Using Corpora in Discourse Analysis. London: Continuum.
Sealey, A. (2010) Researching English Language, London: Routledge.
The final exam for the thematic course in ordinary sessions consists of an online written test followed by a face-to-face oral exam. Only students who pass the written test are admitted to the oral exam. All assessments are in English.
Successfully completing both end-of-module A and B assessments substitutes the written exam.
The oral exam includes a 5-minute presentation of the applied research carried out in module C and possible questions about relevant topics discussed in in modules A and B. For students who do not participate in module C's workshop, the oral exam also includes the discussion of basic principles of corpus-based discourse analysis and pragmatics research (see required readings).
C1-level proficiency in English must be attested by either successfully completing the C1-level language practice course offered or by presenting internationally recognized certificates of language proficiency (e.g. CAE, IELTs, etc. – not older than two years).
The final mark for English Language 3 is determined based on the results obtained in the lecturers’ course exam. The language practice is functional to the attainment of the required level. It does not contribute formative credits and it does not contribute to the final mark. Taking advantage of all the opportunities offered to improve one’s own English proficiency level should be the priority of any English major and indeed the effort put to this end does generally reflect in the overall performance at the exam and tends to result in better grades.
The format of the exam might change due to COVID19 restrictions. Changes will be communicated in due course.
Commissione d'esame: Prof.ssa Gloria Cappelli - Prof.ssa Silvia Bruti
Supplenti: Dott. Gianmarco Vignozzi, Dott.ssa Denise Anne Filmer, Prof.ssa Silvia Masi, Dott.ssa Sabrina Noccetti, Dott. Alessandro Aru (Cultore della Materia)
Exam committee: Prof.ssa Gloria Cappelli - Prof.ssa Silvia Bruti
Supplenti: Dott. Gianmarco Vignozzi, Dott.ssa Denise Anne Filmer, Prof.ssa Silvia Masi, Dott.ssa Sabrina Noccetti, Dott. Alessandro Aru (Cultore della Materia).
LE LEZIONI INIZIERANNO IL GIORNO 19 SETTEMBRE ALLE ORE 10.15 IN AULA B2.
Exam committee: Prof.ssa Gloria Cappelli - Prof.ssa Silvia Bruti
Substitutes: Dott. Gianmarco Vignozzi, Dott.ssa Denise Anne Filmer, Prof.ssa Silvia Masi, Dott.ssa Sabrina Noccetti, Dott. Alessandro Aru (Cultore della Materia).
LESSONS WILL START ON SEPTEMBER 19TH AT 10.15 IN ROOM B2.
Please enroll right awaty to the moodle course page https://elearning22.humnet.unipi.it/course/view.php?id=13
