English for International Relations
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course is integrated with other degree subjects to help students develop in a European and international context. It aims to enhance students' abilities to understand and use English as a vehicle for political discourse both institutionally and as a tool for communication through the media.
Students begin the course with a B2 level of English (CEFR) or higher and by studying and analysing various text genres, discourse aspects and rhetorical strategies they develop their vocabulary and strengthen their grammar skills. The course also aims to improve students' communication skills in what is now the world's lingua franca. Both of these outcomes are fundamental for anyone working in an international environment.
Classroom learning takes place entirely in English and attendance is strongly recommended. Face-to-face teaching covers theory and promotes detailed analysis of political texts and journalism pieces with the aim of developing students' theoretical and analytical skills. Practical lessons also help to develop language and presentation skills.
Students begin the course with a B2 level of English (CEFR) or higher and by studying and analysing various text genres, discourse aspects and rhetorical strategies they develop their vocabulary and strengthen their grammar skills. The course also aims to improve students' communication skills in what is now the world's lingua franca. Both of these outcomes are fundamental for anyone working in an international environment.
Classroom learning takes place entirely in English and attendance is strongly recommended. Face-to-face teaching covers theory and promotes detailed analysis of political texts and journalism pieces with the aim of developing students' theoretical and analytical skills. Practical lessons also help to develop language and presentation skills.
Expected learning outcomes
Upon completing the course, students will have at least a B2+ level of English and knowledge of the core concepts of language theory (genre, discourse, persuasion) to support them in analysing political language in English.
Students will also understand the content of English-language political discourse in its various forms of expression: (a) complex institutional and political texts on concrete and abstract topics, in which they will be able to identify the core ideas; (b) oral speeches, in which they will follow complex lines of argument on issues of international politics; and (c) journalism pieces concerning current international political affairs, in which they will be able to identify the author's point of view.
These competences are developed through teaching activities including classroom discussions, practice of written and spoken language, essay writing, group work, independent study of texts/materials, analysis of primary sources and case studies.
Students will also understand the content of English-language political discourse in its various forms of expression: (a) complex institutional and political texts on concrete and abstract topics, in which they will be able to identify the core ideas; (b) oral speeches, in which they will follow complex lines of argument on issues of international politics; and (c) journalism pieces concerning current international political affairs, in which they will be able to identify the author's point of view.
These competences are developed through teaching activities including classroom discussions, practice of written and spoken language, essay writing, group work, independent study of texts/materials, analysis of primary sources and case studies.
Lesson period: Third trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
A-K
Responsible
Lesson period
Third trimester
Course syllabus
The course lasts 60 hours, distributed over 30 lessons. The topics are arranged as follows and are subject to slight variations due to contingent factors:
1. Intro to the course
2. Structure of news stories
3. Ethos, Logos, Pathos 1
4. Ethos, Logos, Pathos 2
5. Evaluation in Politics and Media 1
6. Evaluation in Politics and Media 2
7. Voice 1
8. Voice 2
9. Persuasion
10. Politics and Persuasion
11. CV introductions
12. CV and persuasion
13. CV for study/job application
14. Metaphors and other figures of speech
15. Presentations' preparation 1
16. Presentations' preparation 2
17. Humor and politics
18. Intro to language in the press
19. Headlines - language features
20. The Language of political news
21. Presentations' preparation
22. Headlines - language features
23. Newsworthiness
24. News Value
25. Presentations' preparation
26. Transitivity
27. The Language of elections and referendum campaigns
28. In-class presentations 1
29. In-class presentations 2
30. In-class presentations 3
1. Intro to the course
2. Structure of news stories
3. Ethos, Logos, Pathos 1
4. Ethos, Logos, Pathos 2
5. Evaluation in Politics and Media 1
6. Evaluation in Politics and Media 2
7. Voice 1
8. Voice 2
9. Persuasion
10. Politics and Persuasion
11. CV introductions
12. CV and persuasion
13. CV for study/job application
14. Metaphors and other figures of speech
15. Presentations' preparation 1
16. Presentations' preparation 2
17. Humor and politics
18. Intro to language in the press
19. Headlines - language features
20. The Language of political news
21. Presentations' preparation
22. Headlines - language features
23. Newsworthiness
24. News Value
25. Presentations' preparation
26. Transitivity
27. The Language of elections and referendum campaigns
28. In-class presentations 1
29. In-class presentations 2
30. In-class presentations 3
Prerequisites for admission
As detailed in the Course Prospectus, in order to take the English language exam required by the study plan, knowledge of the English language at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR / CEFR) is required. This level can be certified in the following ways: - by sending a language certification obtained no later than 3 years prior to the date of presentation of the same, level B2 or higher (for the list of language certifications recognized by the University, please refer to to the website: https://www.unimi.it/it/node/297/). The certification must be uploaded at the time of enrollment, or, subsequently, on the portal http://studente.unimi.it/uploadCertificazioniLingue; - through the Placement Test, delivered by the SLAM University Language Center exclusively during the first year, from October to December. In case of failure of the test, it will be necessary to follow the courses provided by SLAM. The Placement Test is mandatory for all students who are not in possession of a valid certification. Those who do not take the Placement Test by December or do not pass the final test of the course within 6 attempts must obtain a paid certification within the year in which the language exam is scheduled. Further information here: https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/competenze-linguistiche/placement-test-test-di-entry-e-corsi-di- inglese.
In order to attend the course, on the other hand, a B1 of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference of the Council of Europe) is enough, that is: ability to understand the key points of familiar topics concerning work, school, leisure time, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise while travelling in an area where the language is spoken.
It is understood that, to register for and take the exam, it is necessary to have obtained a B2 certification or taken the SLAM Placement Test, as specified above.
In order to attend the course, on the other hand, a B1 of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference of the Council of Europe) is enough, that is: ability to understand the key points of familiar topics concerning work, school, leisure time, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise while travelling in an area where the language is spoken.
It is understood that, to register for and take the exam, it is necessary to have obtained a B2 certification or taken the SLAM Placement Test, as specified above.
Teaching methods
We will be using an eclectic approach: lesson plans will be characterized by the use of multimedia materials. The function of these tools is that of interacting with the students involving them in activities that stimulate them cognitively and that make it possible for their different intelligences, personalities, and motivation to find the most suitable learning way(s). Learning a language is, for a huge part, practicing it, so the students are expected to engage in discussions, to ask and answer questions, to detect errors and reflect about them, to try to communicate in English, challenging the fear of being wrong or making errors.
Teaching Resources
Teaching Resources
1. Partington, A. (2018). The Language of Persuasion in Politics. London: Routledge.
2. Seargeant, P. (2020). The art of political storytelling: Why stories win votes in posttruth politics. Bloomsbury Publishing.
3. Clark, C., & De Bohun, M. (2006). Views in the news. LED Edizioni.
Additional material will be provided on Ariel:
- Authentic texts to study and analyze, tasks connected to the slides and grammar exercises
aimed at preparing for the exam.
- Additional suggested theoretical readings.
- Slides of the course
1. Partington, A. (2018). The Language of Persuasion in Politics. London: Routledge.
2. Seargeant, P. (2020). The art of political storytelling: Why stories win votes in posttruth politics. Bloomsbury Publishing.
3. Clark, C., & De Bohun, M. (2006). Views in the news. LED Edizioni.
Additional material will be provided on Ariel:
- Authentic texts to study and analyze, tasks connected to the slides and grammar exercises
aimed at preparing for the exam.
- Additional suggested theoretical readings.
- Slides of the course
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam is in written form and aims to ascertain students' competences - both theoretical and in applied forms - in respect of the topics and language varieties discussed during the course and in the textbooks and materials in the reading list:
- Slides of the course
- Partington, A. 2018. The Language of Persuasion in Politics. London: Routledge.
- Seargeant, P. (2020). The art of political storytelling: Why stories win votes in post-truth politics. Bloomsbury Publishing.
- Clark, C., & De Bouhn, M. (2006). Views in the news. LED Edizioni.
In particular, students will have to prove their competence in using the structures of academic English (B2 level), and to be familiar with the key genres and linguistic structures of Political English.
The exam comprises the following parts:
- A quiz (closed- and open- questions) on the notions and competences acquired about International Political Communication in English, International Politics and the Media, linguistic notions and grammatical skills acquired during the course. No dictionary allowed.
- A personal CV of the student (more info will be available in Ariel). The CV will have to be submitted 10 days before the exam session the students book for their exams (If the exam is on June 24th, the CV must be submitted by June 14th, If the exam is on July 24th, the CV must be submitted by July 14th, etc.
The final mark is the average of the marks obtained in the various parts and is expressed out of 33 points, which include the lode (3 points).
The personal CV needs to be created and edited based on the instructions and will be evaluated based on the evaluation criteria listed in the instructions.
The submission of the cv is mandatory to complete the exam.
ATTENDING STUDENTS are given the possibility of presenting in class the contents on Seargeant's book on The art of political storytelling. Details will be given in class. For those students who do the class presentations, the quiz will not include questions on Seargeant's book.
Non-ATTENDING STUDENTS are required to submit the CV 10 days before the exam session and take the quiz, which will be focused on the books and the course slides.
Points are distributed as follows:
CV 10
Presentations 10 (ATTENDING )
Quiz 13 (ATTENDING ) 23 (NON ATTENDING )
- Slides of the course
- Partington, A. 2018. The Language of Persuasion in Politics. London: Routledge.
- Seargeant, P. (2020). The art of political storytelling: Why stories win votes in post-truth politics. Bloomsbury Publishing.
- Clark, C., & De Bouhn, M. (2006). Views in the news. LED Edizioni.
In particular, students will have to prove their competence in using the structures of academic English (B2 level), and to be familiar with the key genres and linguistic structures of Political English.
The exam comprises the following parts:
- A quiz (closed- and open- questions) on the notions and competences acquired about International Political Communication in English, International Politics and the Media, linguistic notions and grammatical skills acquired during the course. No dictionary allowed.
- A personal CV of the student (more info will be available in Ariel). The CV will have to be submitted 10 days before the exam session the students book for their exams (If the exam is on June 24th, the CV must be submitted by June 14th, If the exam is on July 24th, the CV must be submitted by July 14th, etc.
The final mark is the average of the marks obtained in the various parts and is expressed out of 33 points, which include the lode (3 points).
The personal CV needs to be created and edited based on the instructions and will be evaluated based on the evaluation criteria listed in the instructions.
The submission of the cv is mandatory to complete the exam.
ATTENDING STUDENTS are given the possibility of presenting in class the contents on Seargeant's book on The art of political storytelling. Details will be given in class. For those students who do the class presentations, the quiz will not include questions on Seargeant's book.
Non-ATTENDING STUDENTS are required to submit the CV 10 days before the exam session and take the quiz, which will be focused on the books and the course slides.
Points are distributed as follows:
CV 10
Presentations 10 (ATTENDING )
Quiz 13 (ATTENDING ) 23 (NON ATTENDING )
L-LIN/12 - LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION - ENGLISH - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professor:
Di Ferrante Laura
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Di Ferrante LauraL-Z
Lesson period
Third trimester
L-LIN/12 - LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION - ENGLISH - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
Thursday 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. or by appointment
Room 106 or online via Teams