Universität Wien

122253 AR Linguistics Course (Advanced 1-5) - Hist., Appl. & TEFL (2012S)

Debating Linguistic Controversies

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 12 - Anglistik
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 24 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Thursday 08.03. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Thursday 15.03. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Thursday 22.03. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Thursday 29.03. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Thursday 19.04. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Thursday 26.04. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Thursday 03.05. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Thursday 10.05. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Thursday 24.05. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Thursday 31.05. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Thursday 14.06. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Thursday 21.06. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Thursday 28.06. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Students select a number of controversial linguistic issues in order to debate them (e.g. Universal Grammar, Critical Age Hypothesis, Linguistic Relativity, Ape language, Linguistic Universals, First and Second (Bilingual) Language Acquisition, CLIL). The focus is not only on the issues themselves but also on the means by which linguistic arguments are won or lost and the roles which plausibility and rhetorical persuasiveness play in such arguments.

In the first (and shorter) part of the course, a basic introduction to rhetoric and the most common rhetorical tricks is given (particular focus on logically invalid and unsound arguments whose weakness usually goes undetected). In the rest of the course, participants will be sorted into pairs of two and have to stage oral debates on their chosen controversies, each of them defending one of two opposing positions. After each debate, the audience has a chance to question the discussants, and determines the winner by vote. Oral debates are to be followed by written essays.

Assessment and permitted materials

class participation
short bibliography for chosen topic to be handed in before oral debate
oral debate
written 1000 word essay on debated topic

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

The course has a threefold aim. First, it is supposed to increase the student's practical skills in linguistic argumentation (to get better at making strong arguments, at detecting and attacking weak spots in the arguments of others, and at defending their views when they are attacked). Secondly, it is supposed to make the students aware that also in academic discourse there is a difference between persuasive arguments and legitimate arguments, and to help them learn to distinguish between the two types. Thirdly, it introduces the students to interesting controversies in the field and the general question whether and to what extent debate, argument and controversy help to improve our understanding of scientific problems.

Examination topics

Discussion of weekly readings, lecturer input, oral debates

Reading list

will be provided

Association in the course directory

Studium: Diplom 343, UF 344, ME 812;
Code/Modul: Diplom 225, 226/228, 236/238, 721-723, UF 4.2.3-223, ME4, ME5;
Lehrinhalt: 12-0344

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:33