74775 - English Language (12 Cfu) (A-Z)

Academic Year 2015/2016

  • Docente: Alan Scott Partington
  • Credits: 12
  • Language: English
  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Political, Social and International Sciences (cod. 8853)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course students will have acquired both active and passive ability to communicate in English, to be able to read, take notes and take part in discussions in English, to be able to understand and comment upon specialised discourse types of English, namely political texts and media texts which comment upon politics.

Course contents

A course in Political Linguistics 

 In two parts

Part 1: The intermediate test of grammar and use of English skills (Prova di Lingua).

The coursework is aimed at improving the fluency and correctness of students' language production and their understanding of spoken and written English.

Part 2. The Content (Corso Monografico).

The lessons, based on authentic texts, invite the student to explore key political and mediatic concepts in English-speaking cultures. Particular attention is paid to the complex relationship between politics, the media and the voting public in the English-speaking world.

Readings/Bibliography

For course attenders, the study material will be communicated during the lessons.

For non-attenders of the Monographic course, the textbook is "Persuasion in Politics" (2nd edition), Partington & Taylor, LED edizioni.

Teaching methods

For students who attend classes

§ grammar: students must be present at 80% of lessons. Lessons take place twice a week

§ content: two lessons each week. Lessons are conducted in English. Students are expected to take an active part in discussion and practical activities will be set for self study.

The lessons are performed in traditional frontal style. Relevant topics are presented, often with audio-visual illustrative material and student discussion and feed-back is welcomed.

Assessment methods

An intermediate test and a final exam, both written:

§ intermediate grammar test

§ content, non-attenders: based on “Persuasion in Politics” (2nd edition) Partington & Taylor

§ content attenders: based on the coursework material

Teaching tools

Lessons are conducted in English and where appropriate multi-media learning supports, including Power Point, the Internet and other audio-visual materials will be employed.

Office hours

See the website of Alan Scott Partington