Learning objectives
By applying text linguistic strategies, students will acquire advanced skills in text analysis and interpretation. They will be able to consider texts from different perspectives, including the pragmatic one, thus developing a holistic understanding of texts as linguistic as well as socio-cultural phenomena.
Prerequisites
Knowledge of German language (at least B2).
Course unit content
Text analysis, contrastive syntax and morphology, text comprehension and interpretation.
Full programme
The module includes a theoretical and a practical part. The theoretical part consists in the basics and analytical instruments supplied by text linguistics. The second part aims at putting into practice the acquired knowledge and working methods, through several examples and exercises which will show a wide variety of texts.
Non-attending students are requested to contact the teachers in due advance by e-mail or at office hours for counseling.
Bibliography
Blühdorn, Hardarik & Foschi Albert, Marina (2012), Leseverstehen für Deutsch als Fremdsprache: ein Lehrbuch für die Lehrerausbildung, Pisa: Pisa University Press. ISBN: 9788867410477
Moraldo, Sandro M. (Hrsg) (2009), Internet.kom. Neue Sprach- und Kommunikationsformen im Worldwideweb, Bd. 1: Kommunikationsplattformen, Aracne. ISBN: 9788854829190 (only one chapter, chosen by the student)
Teaching methods
- lecture with students’ active participation
- individual training + training in small groups
- analysis of case studies
The texts analyzed and translated together will help students to develop a method to be applied autonomously to other texts and situations that they will analyze in depth on their own.
The lectures will be held in German.
Assessment methods and criteria
The examination is passed when both modules have been tested.
As for the module concerning text typologies, final oral examination (20-30 minutes), held in German language, consisting of two parts: a general question on the basics of text linguistics; a specific question on one of the text typologies analyzed in the book edited by Moraldo (text typology chosen by the student and presented through a case study on an authentic text, which shall be sent by e-mail to the teacher at least one week before the oral examination).
The final mark is the average of the partial marks of the two modules. Students can make the single examinations in the order they want.
Based on these premises, the evaluation will be carried out according to the following criteria:
A negative assessment will be given if the student is unable to attain the minimum requirements of the course. Sufficient evaluation (18-23/30) is determined by the demonstration by the student to have learned the basic and minimum contents of the course. The mean scores (24-27/30) are assigned to the student who produces evidence of a level more than sufficient (24-25/30) or good (26-27/30) in the indicators listed above. Higher scores (from 28/30 to 30/30 cum laude) are awarded based on the demonstration of a level from very good to excellent in the knowledge of contents, the ability to re-elaborate them individually and the mastery of the specific lexicon of text linguistics.
Other information
Knowledge and understanding: students will be able to distinguish various text typologies and evaluate their cultural specificity, even in comparison to each other.
Applying knowledge and understanding: students will be able to analyze complex texts under different perspectives.
Communication skills: capacity to communicate fluently in oral and written German, effectively supporting their points of view with good argumentation and using the appropriate terminology of text linguistics.
Learning skills: through self-reflection, students learn how to autonomously improve more and more their language skills, even finding new paper and digital resources independently identified.
