The course aims at providing theoretical and methodological knowledge in the field of textual linguistics. At the end of the course, students will be familiar with the fundamental aspects of text linguistics and will be able to analyze the structure, coherence, and cohesion of texts, identify different text types, and describe the main linguistic and pragmatic mechanisms that shape meaning in various communicative contexts.
Frontal lessons, exercises and discussion of scientific articles.
Particular emphasis will be given to discussion and direct dialogue with the students, who will be invited to formulate proposals for further study or debate.
The examination consists of a written test and the evaluation is expressed in thirtieths.
The written test, which lasts about 1 hour, may contain both open- and closed-ended questions.
The acquisition of the course content as well as argumentation skills and mastery of specialistic terminology will be tested.
The assessment will focus on the mastery of content, and on the ability to create links between the various topics discussed.
The course is an introduction to text linguistics and to the study of the mechanisms that govern the construction and interpretation of texts in different communicative contexts.
The fundamental concepts related to text structure, coherence and cohesion, linguistic functions, and text genres will be discussed.
The course includes an introductory section focused on the basic concepts of text linguistics, and an applied section dedicated to the linguistic and pragmatic analysis of authentic texts by means of new technologies recently employed in linguistic research.
Main topics:
-) Basic notions of text linguistics
-) Text and discourse: definitions and distinctions
-) Textual cohesion: linguistic mechanisms
-) Textual coherence: logical structure and inference
-) Text types and genres
-) Communicative functions and speaker intentions
-) Thematic organization and information progression
-) Linguistic and pragmatic analysis of written and spoken texts
-) Pragmatics and information structure: topicalization and focus
-) Intertextuality and relationships between texts
-) Textuality in digital contexts
There are no syllabus differences between attending and non-attending students.
Attending students will take part in laboratory sessions on the use of linguistics methodologies for the analysis of texts.
The course will take place in the second semester (III-IV subperiods).
