Theoretical Linguistics Ma

A.Y. 2020/2021
6
Max ECTS
40
Overall hours
SSD
L-LIN/01
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
The course of Theoretical Linguistics is for those students who have already had basic competences in Linguistics. The course aims at deepening relevant topics pertaining to the sciences of language, that both parts, A and B, offer according to a theoretical and general perspective
Expected learning outcomes
As a whole, the course aims to offer a series of specialist knowledge in general linguistics, through the deepening of the study of structures and phenomena typical of historical-natural languages with a more focused attention to the general and theoretical framework of the content proposed in the individual units.
At the end of the course the student should be able to present and report in a correct and precise way the topics dealt with in the two didactic units and to be able to describe phenomena of language and of historical-natural languages using in a conscious way notions, categories, tools proper to linguistic science, also in the light of a firm knowledge of the epistemic coordinates within which these are placed.
Single course

This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Lesson period
First semester
The course will take place in remote mode, mainly in asynchronous form, by publishing PPT audiotexts on the Ariel website of the course. Meetings are also planned with the students on the platforms Zoom/Microsoft Teams. Students will find on the Ariel website all the information concerning the course, the timetable of the meetings, and the teaching material.
Course syllabus
Teaching part A presents some characteristics of verbal language; particularly, it illustrates aspects of opacity, transparency and ambiguity in linguistic structures.
Teaching part B deals with linguistic synaesthesia, monoaesthesia, pseudoaesthesia, and aims to show the specific contribution given by linguistic studies compared to other disciplines and approaches, such as literary studies, psychology, neurology. It describes the syntactic and semantic structures of synaesthetic expressions, and focuses on the different sensory modalities connected, the nature of their relationship, and the crosslinguistic tendencies related to the hypothesis of the directional hierarchy.
Prerequisites for admission
The course is addressed to those students who have already taken a course either in Linguistics or in Theoretical Linguistics ('three year degree').
Teaching methods
The course is offered in a lecture format. Learning materials are also available online on the Ariel platform, in order to provide the students with the tools for a deeper reflection and critical awareness.
Teaching Resources
A:
E. MAGNI, L'ambiguità delle lingue, Roma, Carocci, 2020.
B:
M. CATRICALA' (a cura di), Sinestesie e monoestesie. Prospettive a confronto, Milano, FrancoAngeli, 2012.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam involves an oral, individual interview with each teacher, in order to ascertain learning results concerning single units, A and B, and to assign a mark (out of 30) to every interview. The overall assessment of the exam will be corresponding to the average marks achieved for each unit and expressed in thirtieths.
The assessment aims at testing students' skills, on the basis of their ability to describe and frame specific topics proposed by units A and B, and to illustrate them with critical and autonomous awareness, in order to show adequate possession of the methodological and notional instruments given by Theoretical Linguistics and to explain linguistic phenomena and structures by using a precise and appropriate metalanguage.
International or Erasmus incoming students are kindly requested to contact the teacher of the course. Also students with disabilities should contact the teacher of the course, in order to discuss alternative examination methods, in agreement with the competent Office.
Unita' didattica A
L-LIN/01 - HISTORICAL AND GENERAL LINGUISTICS - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor: Bologna Maria Patrizia
Unita' didattica B
L-LIN/01 - HISTORICAL AND GENERAL LINGUISTICS - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor: Biondi Laura
Professor(s)
Reception:
Tuesday, 9.00-12.00 (First Semester). Tuesday, 16.30-18.30, Wednesday, 9.00-10.00 (II Semester)
Microsoft Teams Platform. Please, contact the teacher via email.