The Objective of the Course The objective of the course is to introduce students to the social and cultural features of the speciality language in discourse and further develop both verbal and non-verbal communication. The course enables the students to enhance awareness of the functioning of language, develop conversational skills and improve socio-linguistic and cultural competence in discourse. The aim of the course is also to improve the phonetic aspects of oral discourse, paying special attention to intonation.
Preconditions for the Acquisition of the Course The acquisition of the language courses of Term 1, Year I: Conversation and Grammar
The Scope of the Course 1 term, 32 hours of practical classes, two academic hours a week, delivered in Term 2, Year I.
The Number of Credit Points 2 points
The Type of Assessment An examination in written form at the end of the term preceded by two midterm tests.
Introduction. Language and culture. Discourse as a social and cultural practice. Awareness of cultural implications in discourse. Sense of appropriacy. Conventions of linguistic competence.
2
2.
Politeness strategies. Unintended rudeness. The role of intonation. Requests.
2
3.
Interactive skills in communication. Paralinguistic codes and their significance.
2
4.
Silence as a cultural variable. Research of the uses of silence. No tolerance of silence in speciality language. The average pause. Gap fillers. Interruption techniques.
2
5.
Interpersonal space. The concept of space, its value and its reflection in socio-cultural behaviour and language.
2
6.
The concept of time, awareness of its value and its reflection in socio-cultural behaviour and language. Management of time.
2
7.
Negative replies as a cultural variable. The art of saying ‘No’ in speciality language, its significance and psychological reasons.
2
8.
Techniques and ways in disagreement, refusal and denial. Argument strategies. The importance of intonation.
2
9.
Understatement as a typical feature of the speciality language language. Its purpose in socio-cultural context. The structure and techniques of understatement.
2
10.
Euphemism as part of socio-cultural and linguistic competence. Its techniques.
2
11.
The application of euphemisms in various spheres of discourse: political and social euphemisms and their role.
2
12.
Conventions of politeness and rudeness and their cultural implications in speciality language and Latvian. Sense of appropriacy.
2
13.
Language of humour and irony: awareness of its cultural implications in discourse: typical ways of expression.
2
14.
Language of humour and irony (continued). Comparison with Latvian.
2
15.
Non-verbal communication and its role: sensitivity to smiling, eye-contact, gestures and intonation.
2
16.
Non-verbal communication and its role: differences in non-verbal communication in speciality language and Latvian.
2
Literature
1. Carter R. 1997. Investigating English Discourse: Language, Literacy and Literature. London and New York: Routledge.
2. Carter R. and McRae J. (eds.) 1996. Language, Literature and the Learner: Creative Classroom Practice. London and New York: Longman.
3. Leech G.N. [1969] 1993. A Linguistic Guide to English Poetry. London and New York: Longman.
4. McCarthy M. and Carter R. [1994] 1995. Language as Discourse: Perspectives for Language Teaching. London and New York: Longman.
5. Nash W. 1987. The Language of Humour: Style and Technique in Comic Discourse. London: Longman.
7. Widdowson H.G. [1975] 1991. Stylistics and the Teaching of Literature. Harlow, Essex: Longman.
8. Widdowson H.G. 1992. Practical Stylistics. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
9. Periodicals from the British Council Library: The Times, The Independent, The Guardian and others (the selected articles are photocopied with the kind permission of the British Council Library).
The Name of the Course: European Matters
The Scope of the Course: 1 term, 32 practical classes, two academic hours per week, delivered in Term 6 and 7.
2 credit points.
The type of assessment – a written test at the end of Term 6, tests and papers during the term, and examination at the end of Term 7.
