122048 PS Proseminar Linguistics 2 (2016W)

This course will introduce and explore basic concepts in the study of pragmatics, such as speech acts, politeness strategies and ways of flouting (and violating) maxims of the Gricean cooperative principle. In class, we will explore these concepts together on the basis of required readings and examples of language use. At the beginning of term, the course will also introduce students to theoretical, practical and ethical issues of collecting and transcribing spoken language data and provide input on key concepts of conversation analysis and interaction.
On the basis of this input, students will work in groups during the first weeks of term to collect and transcribe their own samples of naturally-occurring spoken interaction (data collection and transcription assignment). These self-collected and self-transcribed language data will then be used by students independently in the second half of term for an individual research project that each student will present orally (presentation) and in written form (term paper; handout for presentation). For this individual project, each student will chose a particular pragmatic aspect and analyze it in the interactive data collected and transcribed by her/his group.

AIMS
After this course, you should have a good overview of the main theories and concepts in the study of pragmatics. You should be able to identify these concepts in samples of naturally-occurring interactive spoken language and be capable of carrying out a focused, more detailed analysis of a particular aspect. You should be able to formulate an appropriate and concise research question and to present theoretical concepts and insights from your data analysis in oral and written form. Furthermore, you will have experience in linguistic field work and be familiar with practical and theoretical issues involved in data collection and transcription.