Objectives and competences
The aim of this course is to provide a state of the art overview of the field of pragmatics, i.e. the study of language use. Students become aware of pragmatics in a state-of-the-art fashion, through the use of research-based teaching materials in English. They are able to recognize and analyze a variety of thought-provoking phenomena, spanning politeness, through the pragmatics of translation, to the study of language use on the Internet.
The course will increase students' competence in doing individual and critical language-based analyses.
Content (Syllabus outline)
• Introduction to language philosophy (Austin, Searle and Grice)
• Key terms in pragmatics
• Methodological considerations
• The basics of pragmalinguistics and sociopragmatics
• Politeness theory
• Interaction rituals
• Key areas of current research
Learning and teaching methods
• Lectures
• seminars
• in-class analyses
Intended learning outcomes - knowledge and understanding
Upon completing the course, students will be able to critically analyse spoken, written and online interaction, as well as to reflect on the role of pragmatic phenomena in interaction. Furthermore, students will be able to reflect on the interactional dynamics of real-life incidents.
Intended learning outcomes - transferable/key skills and other attributes
Upon completing the course, students will be able to critically analyse spoken, written and online interaction, as well as to reflect on the role of pragmatic phenomena in interaction. Furthermore, students will be able to reflect on the interactional dynamics of real-life incidents.
Readings
YULE, George. 1994. Pragmatics. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
HOUSE, Juliane, and KADAR, Daniel Z. 2021. T/V pronouns in global communication practices: The case of IKEA catalogues across linguacultures. Journal of Pragmatics 161: 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pragma.2020.03.001
HOUSE, Juliane, and KADAR, Daniel Z. 2022. Political language in contrast: An introduction. Journal of Pragmatics 188: 132-137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pragma.2021.11.015
Prerequisits
Attendance of 80% and regular completion of coursework are required for taking the exam.
Additional information on implementation and assessment • written exam - 60%
• written assignments and project - 40%
