English (MA)
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
This course, reserved for first year graduate students, is made up of two classes, one monographic and the other language practice. In the monographic class, the students will acquire the necessary theoretical and practical tools to stimulate critical thinking skills, enrich vocabulary use, and provide an academic framework for speaking and writing tasks. In the language practice class, passive and active language skills will be consolidated.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding of academic English both spoken and written through the analysis of newspaper articles and research papers in the humanities. Applying knowledge and understanding: in the monographic class, the ability to express oneself proficiently on current affairs issues; to analyse and comment upon the structure of an academic research paper; in the language practice class, the ability to write an argumentative essay on a literary topic.
Lesson period: year
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
year
Course syllabus
The name of the course is "words and texts from past to present". It comprises three didactic units:
A: Keywords from past to present (Crowley) -First semester
This module will introduce students to the study of the way in which 'keywords' (central terms we use to describe, categorize and evaluate our social and natural worlds) originated, developed historically, and are used today. Examples might include terms such as 'lady', 'bad', 'scientist'; 'cool'; 'teenager'; 'individual'; 'student'; 'culture; 'dickhead'; 'society'; 'sket'; 'welfare', 'on fleek', 'sick'. (among others). The course will include a consideration of the changing ways in which words have been defined (through a study of dictionaries from the Renaissance to the present from Cawdrey's Table Alphabetical 1604 to urbandictionary.com). And it will allow students to understand the complexity of everyday terms that are often taken to be simple and straightforward. The course will encourage critical reflexivity with regard to language use and provide an opportunity for independent research in this area.
It will be held by prof. Anthony Crowley (visiting professor from the University of Leeds). the module will be held from 29th September to 30th October and lessons will be twice a week (Tuesday and Friday). At the end of the course, attending students will be able to take a mid-term test.
B: Words in Motion (Khalaf) - second semester
The module explores the history of English through linguistic changes that remain perceptible in Present-Day English. Students will examine selected phonetic, morphological, and lexical developments from Old English to the contemporary language by working directly with texts. The course privileges active analysis: each topic begins from evidence and leads students to recognise how historical processes continue to shape modern pronunciation, morphology, and vocabulary. At the end of the course, attending students will be able to take a mid-term test.
C: Critical Discourse Analysis and Critical Thinking (Pinnavaia) - secondo semestre
In this module we will focus on the close relationship between the English language and the social and cultural world of the British, using the methodology of Critical Discourse Analysis. Through readings and other supporting materials, students will be encouraged to speak and express their views on the subject. At the end of the course, attending students will be able to take a mid-term test.
The syllabus is valid until July 2028. The written exam only is valid until January 2028.
A: Keywords from past to present (Crowley) -First semester
This module will introduce students to the study of the way in which 'keywords' (central terms we use to describe, categorize and evaluate our social and natural worlds) originated, developed historically, and are used today. Examples might include terms such as 'lady', 'bad', 'scientist'; 'cool'; 'teenager'; 'individual'; 'student'; 'culture; 'dickhead'; 'society'; 'sket'; 'welfare', 'on fleek', 'sick'. (among others). The course will include a consideration of the changing ways in which words have been defined (through a study of dictionaries from the Renaissance to the present from Cawdrey's Table Alphabetical 1604 to urbandictionary.com). And it will allow students to understand the complexity of everyday terms that are often taken to be simple and straightforward. The course will encourage critical reflexivity with regard to language use and provide an opportunity for independent research in this area.
It will be held by prof. Anthony Crowley (visiting professor from the University of Leeds). the module will be held from 29th September to 30th October and lessons will be twice a week (Tuesday and Friday). At the end of the course, attending students will be able to take a mid-term test.
B: Words in Motion (Khalaf) - second semester
The module explores the history of English through linguistic changes that remain perceptible in Present-Day English. Students will examine selected phonetic, morphological, and lexical developments from Old English to the contemporary language by working directly with texts. The course privileges active analysis: each topic begins from evidence and leads students to recognise how historical processes continue to shape modern pronunciation, morphology, and vocabulary. At the end of the course, attending students will be able to take a mid-term test.
C: Critical Discourse Analysis and Critical Thinking (Pinnavaia) - secondo semestre
In this module we will focus on the close relationship between the English language and the social and cultural world of the British, using the methodology of Critical Discourse Analysis. Through readings and other supporting materials, students will be encouraged to speak and express their views on the subject. At the end of the course, attending students will be able to take a mid-term test.
The syllabus is valid until July 2028. The written exam only is valid until January 2028.
Prerequisites for admission
This course is addressed to all first year students enroled in the degree course in LINGUE E LETTERATURE PER LA FORMAZIONE, LA CRITICA E LA TRADUZIONE
The course is held entirely in English.
The course is held entirely in English.
Teaching methods
The main and practical language courses feature readings, videos, audios in order to encourage students' interaction.
Teaching Resources
The reading list will be provided at the beginning of courses
Materials and slides used in class will be available on the English Language 1 Ariel/Teams platforms.
Notice for non-attending students
The syllabus is the same for attending and non-attending students. Non-attending students are kindly requested to e-mail prof. Laura Pinnavaia ([email protected]).
Materials and slides used in class will be available on the English Language 1 Ariel/Teams platforms.
Notice for non-attending students
The syllabus is the same for attending and non-attending students. Non-attending students are kindly requested to e-mail prof. Laura Pinnavaia ([email protected]).
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists in a written exam and an oral discussion. The final mark is derived from the averaged total between 18/30 (minimum) and 30/30 (maximum). The written and oral exams can be taken in any order desired.
The Written Exam - this corresponds to the course held by the language teacher (see progrmme for practical language classes). The exam sessions are May, September, and January.
The Oral Exam corresponds to the official course held by the professors Crowley, Khalaf and Pinnavaia
The oral examination is divided into three parts and is entitled 'words in motion from past to present'. At the end of each module, students will have the opportunity to sit a mid-term exam. For those who do not sit the mid-term exams, the three modules will be assessed via an oral examination during the official examination sessions.
The average of the three marks for each module will be combined with the mark for the written exam (practical language classes) to produce the final mark to be recorded.
Oral exam assessment criteria: 1. appropriate presentation and discussion of topics, notions, and concepts; 2. discourse organisation; 3. lexical richness and accuracy; 4. lexical propriety; 5. lexical variety; 6. detailed text analysis; 7. Speaking skills in general.
International students or Erasmus students are kindly requested to contact prof. Laura Pinnavaia ([email protected]. )
Students who have special needs (DSA), please contact the 'Segreterie studenti'.
The Written Exam - this corresponds to the course held by the language teacher (see progrmme for practical language classes). The exam sessions are May, September, and January.
The Oral Exam corresponds to the official course held by the professors Crowley, Khalaf and Pinnavaia
The oral examination is divided into three parts and is entitled 'words in motion from past to present'. At the end of each module, students will have the opportunity to sit a mid-term exam. For those who do not sit the mid-term exams, the three modules will be assessed via an oral examination during the official examination sessions.
The average of the three marks for each module will be combined with the mark for the written exam (practical language classes) to produce the final mark to be recorded.
Oral exam assessment criteria: 1. appropriate presentation and discussion of topics, notions, and concepts; 2. discourse organisation; 3. lexical richness and accuracy; 4. lexical propriety; 5. lexical variety; 6. detailed text analysis; 7. Speaking skills in general.
International students or Erasmus students are kindly requested to contact prof. Laura Pinnavaia ([email protected]. )
Students who have special needs (DSA), please contact the 'Segreterie studenti'.
Modules or teaching units
Part A and B
ANGL-01/C - English Language, Translation and Linguistics - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Pinnavaia Laura
Part C
ANGL-01/C - English Language, Translation and Linguistics - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)