LET-TWM-ETC402
Intercultural Pragmatics
Course infoSchedule
Course moduleLET-TWM-ETC402
Credits (ECTS)5
Category-
Language of instructionEnglish
Offered byRadboud University; Faculty of Arts; English Language and Culture;
Lecturer(s)
Coordinator
dr. J.G. Geenen
Other course modules lecturer
Lecturer
dr. J.G. Geenen
Other course modules lecturer
Contactperson for the course
dr. J.G. Geenen
Other course modules lecturer
Examiner
dr. J.G. Geenen
Other course modules lecturer
Academic year2022
Period
PER 1-PER 2  (05/09/2022 to 29/01/2023)
Starting block
PER 1
Course mode
full-time
RemarksAccessible to exchange students.
Registration using OSIRISYes
Course open to students from other facultiesYes
Pre-registrationNo
Waiting listNo
Placement procedure-
Aims
  • to gain a clear understanding of the basic concepts and technical terminology associated with the field of intercultural pragmatics and related issues in communication involving speakers of different languages;
  • to become aware of the elements involved in pragmatic competence, as well as the ability to critically reflect on one's own pragmatic competence and convey that knowledge to others;
  • to learn to analyze utterances in their discourse contexts, focusing on information structure, and on pragmatic elements such as deixis, openings and closings, (indirect) speech acts, presuppositions, implicatures, and politeness phenomena;
  • to produce an MA level research proposal.  
Content

In Intercultural Pragmatics, we will examine how speakers from varying linguistic and cultural backgrounds mobilise multilingual and multimodal resources in the accomplishment of face-to-face and technologically mediated forms of social interaction. Today, we are living in an environment characterised by unprecedented linguistic and cultural superdiversity where high levels of mobility and translanguaging are the norm. Such unique and communicatively demanding situations require flexibility, resourcefulness and ingenuity on behalf of language users. 

Taking a socio-cognitive pragmatic approach, we will investigate how speakers of differing language backgrounds and competencies work to build common ground in situ drawing upon multilingual and multimodal repertoires and resources. We will critically consider the impact of micro and macro culture(s) on language use in context to understand the communicative ramifications when language users diverge in values, beliefs and assumptions. We will consider how language users accomplish communicative alignment and intersubjectivity while also considering when, how and why communicative breakdowns occur and are repaired. 

Level

Presumed foreknowledge
Note for exchange students: you cannot take this course if your English proficiency level is not at least C1 (TOEFL, IELTS, TOEIC or Cambridge). A statement from your home university won't be accepted.
Test information

Specifics

Recommended materials
Book
Birner, Betty J. 2013. Introduction to Pragmatics. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell
Title:Introduction to Pragmatics
Author:Birner, Betty J
Publisher:Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell 2013
Texts
Weekly readings, including research papers with study questions.

Instructional modes
Lecture

Tests
Essay
Test weight50
Test typeProject
OpportunitiesBlock PER 2, Block PER 3

Minimum grade
5,5

Oral examination
Test weight50
Test typeOral exam
OpportunitiesBlock PER 2, Block PER 3

Minimum grade
5,5