ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Students must demonstrate their mastery and ability to critically apply their acquired linguistic knowledge, including in areas related to English Linguistics, namely political science, geography, philosophy, and social sciences. Students must demonstrate their ability to conduct detailed, critical discussions of the topics covered in class and during the exam. Specifically, they will be able to apply the disciplinary and methodological content useful for analyzing the linguistic context of various political texts.

The course's learning objectives are consistent with the requirements of the ANGL-O1/C (English Language, Translation, and Linguistics) curriculum, focusing on the study of aspects of the English language relevant to the subject. From a linguistic perspective, students must achieve a B1 level (ideally also a B1+ or B2) of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages ​​in all skills (reading comprehension, listening comprehension, speaking, and writing). The educational objectives are also consistent with those of the Degree Programme in History, Politics and International Relations, of which this course is part, with reference to Area 10, addressing the role of the English language and political discourse in the mass media and social media.

Corso monografico: Lectures and group work in the classroom.
Lettorato: Lectures and exercises to consolidate language skills and prepare for the Lettorato test and the final oral exam with the course leader.

Basic knowledge of English grammar and vocabulary.

The English Language course is divided into two components.

The “Corso monografico” addresses the essential elements of political discourse and the most important discursive strategies employed by prominent British and American political leaders. Specifically, it will analyze the essential elements of vocabulary, rhetoric, and persuasion (e.g., metaphors) used by these leaders in various text types, from classic genres (e.g., public speeches for electoral purposes) to the digital sphere, particularly social media. A section of the course will be dedicated to the analysis of borders, considered in the international geopolitical context but also and above all as key elements in discourses on national identity and cultural, social, and linguistic diversity.

The “Corso Monograico” is complemented by a “Lettorato” taught by a native speaker. Students will attend the Lettorato course to acquire or improve their language skills in the four skills (writing, speaking, reading, and listening). The Lettorato course is an integral part of the English Language course.

The textbooks for the course are as follows:

Massimiliano Demata, Discourses of Borders and the Nation in the USA (Routledge, 2024)
Alan Partington, The Language of Persuasion in Politics and the Media (second edition) (Routledge, 2025)

Additional materials will be distributed in class during the course via the Studium platform.

The assessment of the notions and concepts learned during the English Language course (Lettorato and Corso Monografico) takes place in two phases.

1) A written test for the Lettorato, in which students will be tested on the basic language skills learned during the Lettorato. The test will focus on grammar, reading and writing. This intermediate test is preparatory to the oral exam.

2) An oral exam with the course leader, in English, which will consist of a discussion on the topics covered during the Corso Monografico and the identification and analysis of the discursive strategies of a political text.

The final exam grade will take into account the assessment of the Lettorato and the final oral exam as a whole.

Sessions for the lettorato test will take place four times a year (June, September, December, and January).

Students with a recognized B1-level language certification (https://piattaformaenticert.pubblica.istruzione.it/pocl-piattaforma-enti-cert-web/elenco-enti-accreditati) and students whose secondary education was entirely in English are exempt from the Lettorato test.

Further information about the language courses offered by CLA are available here: https://www.cla.unict.it/