Language and Society
A.Y. 2022/2023
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to deepen issues in the area of humanities and social sciences, with particular attention to the relationship between philosophy of language, linguistics, sociolinguistics and sociology. In addition, it addresses the role of the language in social interactions and its capacity to frame and construct worlds. Finally, methods for analyzing empirically talk-in-interaction transcripts will be learnt and practiced.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
- knowledge of different approaches and themes: sociolinguistics, linguistic variability, ethnopragmatics, discourse and conversational analysis;
- development of a critical awareness to analyze political, media and institutional discourses, integrating methods, concepts and knowledge from other disciplines (philosophy of language, logics, sociolinguistics, linguistic anthropology).
Capacity to apply knowledge and understanding
- the ability to conduct empirical research, analyzing video talk-in-interaction and related transcripts, and to evaluate the results achieved critically.
- the ability to apply the knowledge and critical skills acquired also outside the thematic areas addressed in the course as well as beyond the disciplinary boundaries of philosophy, such as in the fields of political discourse, media studies, interpersonal and institutional communication, gender linguistic discrimination, diversity management, politically correct practices for institutions and companies.
- knowledge of different approaches and themes: sociolinguistics, linguistic variability, ethnopragmatics, discourse and conversational analysis;
- development of a critical awareness to analyze political, media and institutional discourses, integrating methods, concepts and knowledge from other disciplines (philosophy of language, logics, sociolinguistics, linguistic anthropology).
Capacity to apply knowledge and understanding
- the ability to conduct empirical research, analyzing video talk-in-interaction and related transcripts, and to evaluate the results achieved critically.
- the ability to apply the knowledge and critical skills acquired also outside the thematic areas addressed in the course as well as beyond the disciplinary boundaries of philosophy, such as in the fields of political discourse, media studies, interpersonal and institutional communication, gender linguistic discrimination, diversity management, politically correct practices for institutions and companies.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
For detailed info visit https://ggobols.ariel.ctu.unimi.it
Read carefully the pdf files loaded in the Notice Board.
The course offers an overview on different approaches to study the relations between language and society. This interdisciplinary field intersects diverse disciplines:
· the sociology of language (also known as macro-sociolinguistics), pioneered by Joshua Fishman, which studies the society and how it is impacted by language;
· the sociolinguistics, which in the West first appeared in the 1960s, founded by linguists such as William Labov in the US and Basil Bernstein in the UK. Sociolinguistics focuses the effect of society on language, being the language the main object of study. Hence, it studies the effect of society on language, and how language varies based on the user's sociological background, such as gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic class. Sociolinguistics overlaps considerably with
· pragmatics, ethnography of communication (Dell Hymes), ethnopragmatics (Alessandro Duranti)
· and it is closely related to linguistic anthropology (John Gumperz, Charles Goodwin).
These approaches will explore the relations between language and interactional context, and language and social context.
The course will also host some contributions of scholars (linguists, cognitive scientists and neuroscientists), who will present their research on the link between language and mind.
The second part of the course will be devoted to different approaches and methods for analyzing talk (discourse and conversation analysis): presentation of researches and exercises will be the core business of this part.
Read carefully the pdf files loaded in the Notice Board.
The course offers an overview on different approaches to study the relations between language and society. This interdisciplinary field intersects diverse disciplines:
· the sociology of language (also known as macro-sociolinguistics), pioneered by Joshua Fishman, which studies the society and how it is impacted by language;
· the sociolinguistics, which in the West first appeared in the 1960s, founded by linguists such as William Labov in the US and Basil Bernstein in the UK. Sociolinguistics focuses the effect of society on language, being the language the main object of study. Hence, it studies the effect of society on language, and how language varies based on the user's sociological background, such as gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic class. Sociolinguistics overlaps considerably with
· pragmatics, ethnography of communication (Dell Hymes), ethnopragmatics (Alessandro Duranti)
· and it is closely related to linguistic anthropology (John Gumperz, Charles Goodwin).
These approaches will explore the relations between language and interactional context, and language and social context.
The course will also host some contributions of scholars (linguists, cognitive scientists and neuroscientists), who will present their research on the link between language and mind.
The second part of the course will be devoted to different approaches and methods for analyzing talk (discourse and conversation analysis): presentation of researches and exercises will be the core business of this part.
Prerequisites for admission
none
Teaching methods
- frontal lessons
- students' presentations of assigned theoretical articles
- students' presentations of an conversation analysis exercise
- classroom discussion
- students' presentations of assigned theoretical articles
- students' presentations of an conversation analysis exercise
- classroom discussion
Teaching Resources
For the ATTENDEE students:
Heath, C., Hindmarsh, J. & Luff (2010), Video in Qualitative Research: Analysing Social Interaction in Everyday Life, London: Sage.
For the NON-ATTENDEE students:
- Simpson, Andrew (2019), Language and society. An Introduction, Oxford: Oxford University Press (six chapters only: 1, 3, 4, 8, 9 and 10).
- Heath, C., Hindmarsh, J. & Luff (2010), Video in Qualitative Research: Analysing Social Interaction in Everyday Life, London: Sage.
Heath, C., Hindmarsh, J. & Luff (2010), Video in Qualitative Research: Analysing Social Interaction in Everyday Life, London: Sage.
For the NON-ATTENDEE students:
- Simpson, Andrew (2019), Language and society. An Introduction, Oxford: Oxford University Press (six chapters only: 1, 3, 4, 8, 9 and 10).
- Heath, C., Hindmarsh, J. & Luff (2010), Video in Qualitative Research: Analysing Social Interaction in Everyday Life, London: Sage.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam will take place in written form.
The questions will cover the different textbooks foreseen for attendee and non-attendee students.
The exam will be aimed at ascertaining:
· the achievement of the course objectives in terms of knowledge and understanding
· the capacity to apply knowledge and understanding
· the autonomy of judgment of the student
· the mastery of the specific language related to sociolinguistics and sociology of language, and the ability to present arguments in a clear and orderly manner.
There will be two different examination tests, for ATTENDEE students and NON-ATTENDEE students.
For the ATTENDEE students the exam mark is constituted by:
1/3 class presentation of 2 assigned theoretical articles
1/3 class presentation of an conversation analysis exercise
1/3 written exams on the textbook: Heath, C., Hindmarsh, J. & Luff (2010), Video in Qualitative Research: Analysing Social Interaction in Everyday Life, London: Sage.
For the NON-ATTENDEE students the written exam will be focused on the following texbooks:
- Simpson, Andrew (2019), Language and society. An Introduction, Oxford: Oxford University Press (six chapters only: 1, 3, 4, 8, 9 and 10).
- Heath, C., Hindmarsh, J. & Luff (2010), Video in Qualitative Research: Analysing Social Interaction in Everyday Life, London: Sage.
The questions will cover the different textbooks foreseen for attendee and non-attendee students.
The exam will be aimed at ascertaining:
· the achievement of the course objectives in terms of knowledge and understanding
· the capacity to apply knowledge and understanding
· the autonomy of judgment of the student
· the mastery of the specific language related to sociolinguistics and sociology of language, and the ability to present arguments in a clear and orderly manner.
There will be two different examination tests, for ATTENDEE students and NON-ATTENDEE students.
For the ATTENDEE students the exam mark is constituted by:
1/3 class presentation of 2 assigned theoretical articles
1/3 class presentation of an conversation analysis exercise
1/3 written exams on the textbook: Heath, C., Hindmarsh, J. & Luff (2010), Video in Qualitative Research: Analysing Social Interaction in Everyday Life, London: Sage.
For the NON-ATTENDEE students the written exam will be focused on the following texbooks:
- Simpson, Andrew (2019), Language and society. An Introduction, Oxford: Oxford University Press (six chapters only: 1, 3, 4, 8, 9 and 10).
- Heath, C., Hindmarsh, J. & Luff (2010), Video in Qualitative Research: Analysing Social Interaction in Everyday Life, London: Sage.
Unita' didattica A
SPS/07 - GENERAL SOCIOLOGY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
SPS/07 - GENERAL SOCIOLOGY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
every Thursday from 9:30 to 12:30 (contact the lecturer)
office, second floor, cortile Ghiacciaia