Learning objectives
As well as developing written and oral language skills and translation strategies, the course aims at providing students with both general and specific knowledge of the methods of analysis of written and oral texts related to mass media.
During the course students will learn how to:
- understand the complex nature of speech;
- understand and analyse media texts in the original language;
- develop critical reading and thinking
- communicate and discuss in English at B1+ level.
Prerequisites
Lectures are almost entirely in English. Therefore students’ knowledge of the language at A2/B1 level is required.
Course unit content
The course, almost entirely in English, starts from the analysis of film scenes selected from British and American films, and focuses on reading, comprehension and translation of texts related to the world of cinema (film reviews, film scripts, novels adapted into films, online newspaper articles). The use of multimedia material and the analysis of different cinema genres is an integral part of the course.
Full programme
- - -
Bibliography
Grammar*
Murphy, Raymond. English Grammar in Use with answers (Cambridge University Press)
Or
Murphy and Pallini. Essential Grammar in Use with answers (Cambridge University Press)
*Any other reference grammar including B1/B2 levels is suitable.
Handouts will be made available on Elly platform.
A book to be chosen from the following titles is to be read in English:
F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
John Boyne, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
Nick Hornby, About a Boy
Additional references will be supplied during the course and will be included in the syllabus at the end of the course and made available on Elly platform in digital version.
Teaching methods
The selected texts and film scenes offer authentic examples of the grammar structures and communicative functions dealt with in the course. Language activities are designed in order to widen and strengthen specific vocabulary related to the field of study.
Further suggestions for individual study and text analysis will be given during the course with the aim of stimulating in the student an independent approach to reading and translating.
Assessment methods and criteria
Assessment of the English language knowledge and language skills acquired in the course is carried out by means of a preliminary written test and an oral examination at the end of the academic year. The acquisition of all language skills (written and spoken) is assessed, according to the Common European Framework of Reference, at level B1+. The acquisition of translation strategies which reflects not only the appropriate language register but also the communicative functions of the source text is evaluated. Moreover, the ability to study independently, to re-elaborate the contents learned during the course, to offer personal contribution to the topics developed in the lectures, to solve problems relating to the translation of complex texts and to formulate individual judgements and opinions, will be taken into account in the final assessment.
Students who do not achieve 18/30 in the written test, (mainly due to limited use of vocabulary, limited range of structures, inaccurate translation) are not admitted to the oral exam, which assesses knowledge of the course contents, presentation/speaking skills, as well as communication skills.
Other information
- - -
