LFU:online

Institut für Anglistik Institut für Anglistik

Univ.-Prof. i. R. Dr. Gabriella Mazzon Univ.-Prof. i. R. Dr. Gabriella Mazzon

609659

Present-Day and Historical English: The Pragmatics of Modality

SE 2

10

wöch.

semestral

Englisch

This seminar aims at expanding the participants’ capacity of analysing the pragmatic content of a text by focussing on the modal system (i.e. verbs, adjectives, adverbs, nouns, and other items expressing modality).

Students will extend their knowledge of the modal system in English and of its importance in conveying pragmatic values. This involves becoming familiar with a range of forms included in the wide system of English modality and with the shades of meaning involved, analysing them in context through the sampling of such forms in specific texts

Focussed readings + discussions, regular updating on individual research work will be a major part of the sessions.

Students will have to write a seminar paper (about 6,000 words) on their own case-study, on which they will also be required to organise a 20-minute presentation. Assessment will be based on: regular attendance (max two sessions can be missed, presence at the first session mandatory), language level adequate to the 2nd Abschnitt, knowledge of background literature, active participation in in-session discussion, accuracy of the case study presented.

Students are expected to revise their knowledge of pragmatics; basis for revision e.g. Jacob Mey, Pragmatics. An Introduction, second edition, Oxford, Blackwell.

Anmeldevoraussetzung/en: Masterstudium: positive Beurteilung des Pflichtmoduls 2 Diplom- und Lehramtsstudium: abgeschlossener 1. Studienabschnitt Entspricht im Diplomstudium (343): SE 2: Linguistics and Culture Entspricht im Lehramtsstudium (344): SE 2: Linguistics and Culture
Beginn: 02. Oktober 2012