Language and Society
A.Y. 2023/2024
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 can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
The course is in presence
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 a) language and interactional context (micro), and language and social context (macro).
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 second 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 a) language and interactional context (micro), and language and social context (macro).
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 second part.
Prerequisites for admission
The course is in English. A B2 level of English is assumed.
Teaching methods
- proactive frontal lessons (i.e. no questions, no lessons)
- students' presentations of assigned theoretical articles and debate
- students' presentations of an conversation analysis exercise and debate
- classroom discussion
- students' presentations of assigned theoretical articles and debate
- students' presentations of an conversation analysis exercise and debate
- classroom discussion
Teaching Resources
For ATTENDEE students:
books, articles, papers and ppts presented in class.
For 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.
books, articles, papers and ppts presented in class.
For 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 aims 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.
The exam is differentiated for ATTENDEE and NON-ATTENDEE students.
ATTENDEE status is acquired by attending at least 80% of the lessons. Hence, non-attendance threshold is maximum 4 lessons (out of 20).
For ATTENDEE students the exam mark is constituted by:
- (group) class presentation of 2 assigned theoretical articles (1/2 exam mark)
- (group) class presentation of an conversation analysis exercise (1/2 exam mark)
For NON-ATTENDEE students there is a written exam focused on the following 2 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 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.
The exam is differentiated for ATTENDEE and NON-ATTENDEE students.
ATTENDEE status is acquired by attending at least 80% of the lessons. Hence, non-attendance threshold is maximum 4 lessons (out of 20).
For ATTENDEE students the exam mark is constituted by:
- (group) class presentation of 2 assigned theoretical articles (1/2 exam mark)
- (group) class presentation of an conversation analysis exercise (1/2 exam mark)
For NON-ATTENDEE students there is a written exam focused on the following 2 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
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
every Monday from 10:30 to 12:30
office, second floor, cortile Ghiacciaia