CJVA2MIDE Language and Identity - sharing multicultural experience

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2024
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 2 credit(s) (plus 2 credits for an exam). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Taught in person.
Teacher(s)
Agnieszka Suchomelová-Polomska, M.A. (lecturer)
Mgr. Lenka Hanovská, Ph.D. (assistant)
Mgr. Dana Plíšková (assistant)
Guaranteed by
Agnieszka Suchomelová-Polomska, M.A.
Language Centre Faculty of Arts Division – Language Centre
Contact Person: Mgr. Dana Plíšková
Supplier department: Language Centre Faculty of Arts Division – Language Centre
Prerequisites
( FORMA ( P )&& TYP_STUDIA ( BMN )&& CJVVsT Entrance test )
This course is intended for full-time students (in their SECOND AND HIGHER semesters) who have an advanced knowledge of English (B2), a minimum C1 command of another language and ideally experience with living abroad. For the mentioned reasons the course might be of interest to bilingual students, exchange students, Erasmus students, as well as the students of philology, linguistics, or anthropology. It is possible to enrol on the course after completing a diagnostic test and proving minimum C1 command of English (course code: CJVVsT, https://is.muni.cz/auth/predmet/phil/jaro2024/CJVVsT)
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
The capacity limit for the course is 15 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/15, only registered: 0/15, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/15
Course objectives
The course aims at practicing English grammar and vocabulary at B2 level according to CEFR (medium of instruction), by bringing in students’ multicultural experience and comparing various languages and cultures as well as feelings and emotions connected with using them. Through analysis of many aspects of languages (grammar, syntax, metaphors, etc.) and related cultures (metaphors, hierarchy of values, symbols, heroes, principles, practices) we will make an attempt to answer the question whether, and if so, to what extent our identities are influenced by the languages we speak. The observations will be supported by the existing theoretical framework in areas of linguistics, culture and cognition.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course the students should be able to - easily follow complex interactions in group discussion and debate - follow most lectures, discussions and debates with relative ease - understand a wide variety of texts including literary writings, newspaper or magazine articles, and specialised academic or professional publications - use contextual, grammatical and lexical cues to infer attitude, mood and intentions and anticipate what will come next - give clear, detailed descriptions and presentations on complex subjects, integrating sub-themes, developing particular points and rounding off with an appropriate conclusion - communicate clearly detailed distinctions between ideas, concepts and things that closely resemble one other. - give instructions on carrying out a series of complex professional or academic procedures
Syllabus
  • 1. Bilingualism and bilinguality; personal experience vs definitions 2. Nationalities and temperament – Hofstede 3. Values, Rituals, Heroes, Symbols – Hofstede’s cultural onion 4. Hierarchy of values, attitudes towards family in different countries 5. Hierarchy of values: work, money and leisure time in different countries 6. Hierarchy of values: religious and historical influences in different countries 7. Traditions, festivals and holidays. 8. Hierarchy of values/culture and language: metaphors we live by – George Lakoff 9. Staying in another country: culture shock and reversed culture shock 10. Moving to another country and gaining cultural competence: enculturation, acculturation and deculturation 11. Communication strategies in intercultural interaction 12. Language planning and education – different schooling systems 13. Language and thought, cognitive skills, linguistic relativity – Boroditsky, Sapir, Whorf
Literature
  • Thibodeau PH, Boroditsky L (2013) Natural Language Metaphors Covertly Influence Reasoning. PLoS ONE 8(1): e52961. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0052961
  • Boroditsky, L. & Ramscar, M. (2002). The roles of body and mind in abstract thought. Psychological Science, 13(2), 185–188.
  • Hofstede, G. (1980) Culture's Consequences : International differences in work-related values Sage Publications
  • Boroditsky, L. (2001). Does language shape thought? Mandarin and English speakers' conceptions of time. Cognitive Psychology, 43(1), 1–22.
  • Thibodeau PH, Boroditsky L (2015) Measuring Effects of Metaphor in a Dynamic Opinion Landscape. PLoS ONE 10(7): e0133939. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0133939
  • Boroditsky, L. (2003), "Linguistic relativity", in Nadel, L. (ed.), Encyclopedia of cognitive science, London: Macmillan, pp. 917–922
  • Boroditsky, L. (2000). Metaphoric Structuring: Understanding time through spatial metaphors. Cognition, 75(1), 1–28.
  • HOFSTEDE, Geert. Culture's consequences : comparing values, behaviors, institutions, and organizations across nations. 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, 2001, xx, 596. ISBN 0803973241. info
  • HAMERS, Josiane F. and Michel H. A. BLANC. Bilinguality and bilingualism. 2nd ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000, xiv, 468. ISBN 9780521648431. info
  • LAKOFF, George. Metaphors we live by. Edited by Mark Johnson. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1980, xiii, 242. ISBN 0226468011. info
Teaching methods
The course will work on the principle of a flipped classroom and will cover reading articles, listening to authentic materials and discussing differences and similarities across languages and cultures. The students will show the understanding of researched topics via mini-presentations, projects, discussions in class, reading assignments and grammar and vocabulary exercises.
Assessment methods
The course requires seminars attendance and completing continuous assignments. The course is completed by exam tasks at C1 level according to CEFR. The exam tasks include an oral presentation, discussion and essay. In the last class of the course, the students will write an argumentative essay, 1000 words long, responding to an article relating to their culture/language in the context of the topics covered. In the examination period they will deliver a presentation in which they will analyse a problem, issue or phenomenon connected with the country whose language they speak well.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
The course is taught each semester.
The course is taught: every week.
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