Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to introduce the student to the phenomenon of humour, from a theoretical point of view but above all in its different linguistic and textual aspects. During the course the student learns to - know the different theories related to humour; - identify and analyse the different textual typologies related to humour also in relation to the media in which they are realised; - identify and analyse the linguistic mechanisms that lead to the realization of a humorous text; reflect on the link between humorous language, ideology and power; - reflect on the specific problems of the translation of humorous texts.
Prerequisites
Portuguese / Level B2
Course unit content
The course focuses on the anthropological-cultural phenomenon of humour and its linguistic aspects, declined in the reality of the Portuguese language, as used for this purpose in both Portugal and Brazil. After mentioning the theories on humour and the possible existence of a linguistics of humour, it focuses on the analysis of different types of textual application of humour, from stereotypes to idiomatic expressions, from popular language to the important phenomenon of jokes, up to the more sophisticated humorous chronicles by authors such as the Portuguese Ricardo Araújo Pereira, author also of an interesting text of theoretical reflection on humour.
Linguistic analysis will be accompanied by discourse analysis and reflection on the link between language, discourse, and ideology. The role of the media and the problem of the translation of humorous language will also be the subject of reflection.
Full programme
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Bibliography
- Sírio Possenti, Humor, língua e discurso, Cotia SP: Margem da palavra, 2021.
- Sírio Possenti, Os humores da língua. Análise linguística das piadas, Campinas-SP: Mercado de letras, 1998.
- Ricardo Araújo Pereira, A doença, o sofrimento e a morte entram num bar, Lisboa: Tinta-da-China, 2019.
Other texts will be indicated during the course.
Teaching methods
Frontal lesson. The lesson will be supported by audiovisual material: images related to authors, texts and themes, documentaries, readings and visual representations of texts, video lectures. In order to promote active participation in the course, various activities may be proposed, individually or in small groups, through the use of the resources available in Elly. This material, contained in Power Point presentations, is to be considered an integral part of the reference bibliography and will be uploaded from lesson to lesson on the Elly page of the course.
Assessment methods and criteria
Prerequisite for the examination is the passing of a written pre-examination in Portuguese, which also includes a translation test based on the topics covered during the course. The knowledge and skills to be tested in this test are: a competence of the Portuguese language corresponding to level C1 (6 CFU) of the Common European Framework of Reference.
Oral exam in Portuguese: free interview, to be held in person. The exam is evaluated with a scale of 0-30. The oral exam will test: - the knowledge of texts, authors, themes, and formal and theoretical issues related to humour (weight of the item 10 pts.); - the ability to re-elaborate the subjects studied (weight of the item 7 pts.); - to propose personal in-depth analysis (weight of the item 7 pts.); - to obtain further information in order to interpret complex texts (weight of the item 3 pts.); - to develop personal evaluations (weight of the item 3 pts.). Students will fail the exam if they show to possess an insufficient knowledge of the basic contents of the course, or if they are not able to obtain further information in order to interpret complex texts, to develop personal evaluations. Students will obtain a result between 18-23/30 by demonstrating to possess a sufficient knowledge of the basic contents of the course and the ability to obtain further information in order to interpret complex texts, developing personal evaluations expressing themselves in an appropriate linguistic register. Students will obtain aresult between 24-27/30 by demonstrating to possess a more than sufficient level (24-25/30) or a good level (26-27/30) in the above mentioned competences. Higher marks (28-30/30) will be obtained by demonstrating a very good toexcellent level in the above mentioned competences. A mark of 30 cum laude is assigned in the case of reaching the maximum score on each item to which is added the mastery of the disciplinary lexicon.
Other information
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2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
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