ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION 3
Academic Year 2023/2024 - Teacher:
RAFFAELE ZAGO
Expected Learning Outcomes
According to the Dublin descriptors, students, at the
end of the course, will demonstrate:
1) Knowledge and understanding
Students will familiarise themselves with the main
characteristics of, and tendencies in, spoken English and English media talk.
2) Applying knowledge and understanding
Students will be able to apply their knowledge and
understanding. In particular, they will acquire the know-how for analysing
spoken English and English media talk both linguistically and meta-linguistically.
3) Making judgements
Drawing on the knowledge and skills acquired in the
course, students will develop the ability to interpret the typical characteristics
of spoken English and English media talk and to reflect on these two varieties
autonomously.
4) Communication skills
The level of linguistic competence students are expected
to attain is C1 under the Common European
Framework of Reference for Languages (C.E.F.R.; http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/linguistic/source/framework_en.pdf).
5) Learning skills
Students
will develop the learning skills they need to go on with their university career,
both in terms of contents and in terms of methods.
Course Structure
Although this is an “annual” subject, the teaching will take place in one
semester. Classes (18) will have in essence a lecture format, but participation
on the part of students is expected and will be actively encouraged. The
calendar for classes will be communicated during classes, on the lecturer’s webpage
and through the Studium learning platform. The lecturer will be available during
office hours to answer questions about the course.
Required Prerequisites
B2 competence in spoken and written English under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
(C.E.F.R.).
Attendance of Lessons
Attendance is not compulsory
Detailed Course Content
The course
will illustrate the main characteristics of spoken English and, at the same
time, of contemporary media talk. To achieve this aim, after a necessary introduction,
the course will rely on a number of examples taken from two English varieties,
namely:
-Telecinematic dialogue, i.e. English spoken in films and TV
series, a register which is interesting from a linguistic point of view in that
– among other things – it originates in writing but is designed and performed
as speech.
-Media talk, i.e. English spoken on the radio and on TV. The
course will highlight the distinctive linguistic features and trends in
contemporary media talk by looking at media environments such as radio phone-in
programmes, televised interviews with politicians, news programmes, etc., and
also by drawing comparisons with spontaneous conversation.
The topics of
the course will be illustrated by means of a variety of examples taken from
films, TV series, radio and TV programmes.
The
course is complemented by the language practice classes taught by the C.E.L.
staff (Collaboratori ed Esperti Linguistici).
Textbook Information
-Biber, Douglas et al. 2021. Grammar of
Spoken and Written English. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins. Chapter:
14, The grammar of conversation, pp. 1031-1120. This chapter will be made available
via Studium.
-Kozloff, Sarah. 2000. Overhearing
Film Dialogue. Berkeley/Los Angeles/London: University of California
Press. Chapter: 1, The functions of dialogue in narrative film, pp. 33-63. This
chapter will be made available via Studium.
-Zago, Raffaele. 2016. From
Originals to Remakes. Colloquiality in English
Film Dialogue over Time. Acireale/Roma: Bonanno Editore. Chapter: 2,
Features of film dialogue, pp. 55-66. This chapter will be made available via
Studium.
-Quaglio, Paulo. 2009. Television
Dialogue: The Sitcom Friends vs. Natural Conversation. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John
Benjamins. Chapter: 6, Emotional language, pp. 87-105. This chapter will be
made available via Studium.
-O’Keeffe, Anne. 2006. Investigating
Media Discourse. London/New York: Routledge. Chapters:
1, Introduction, pp. 1-13;
3, Review of methodologies for analysing media
discourse, pp. 32-61;
4, Managing the discourse, pp. 62-89;
5, Creating and sustaining pseudo-relationships, pp.
90-126.
Please remember that, in compliance with art 171
L22.04.1941, n. 633 and its amendments, it is illegal to copy entire books or
journals. Only 15% of their content can be copied.
For further information on sanctions and regulations
concerning photocopying, please refer to the regulations on copyright (Linee
Guida sulla Gestione dei Diritti d’Autore) provided by AIDRO - Associazione
Italiana per i Diritti di Riproduzione delle Opere dell’Ingegno (the Italian
Association on Copyright).
All
the aforementioned books can be consulted in the Library.
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
1) Mid-term written exam (optional)
2) Final written exam (compulsory)
3) Final oral exam (compulsory)
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
-What are the main characteristics of, and tendencies in, conversational English?
-What are the main characteristics of, and tendencies in, English media talk?
-What are the main differences between English media talk and conversational English?
-What are the main functions performed by dialogue in the media?
-Etc.
