Linguistic and nonlinguistic figurative communication

studia pierwszego stopnia

English in Public Communication

English Philology

profil akademicki

fakultatywne

Realizowany zdalnie

ECTS points in relation to student’s duties

total number of hours: 30

total number of ECTS: 2

1 ECTS: 30 hours of classes

0,5 ECTS: 10 hours of consultations

0,5 ECTS: 15 hours of self-study, preparing for classes

Course description

Figurative meaning is part and parcel of all human communication. People make use of and are exposed to figurative meaning-making processes on a daily basis, not being necessarily aware of this fact. Students will learn key ideas with respect to figurative thought processes (metaphor, metonymy and blending) and the mechanisms behind figurative communication in text and image modalities.

Course objectives

The main aim of the course is to make students familiar with basic mechanism of figurative meaning construction, namely, metonymy, metaphor and blending. Throughout the course, students will be presented with a number of text-based and image-based examples from different areas of human activity, such as media, politics or advertising. Student will be able to see how figurative meaning-making processes help us to build and express our understanding of the surrounding world and how they contribute to expressing emotions and values.

Course content

1. Communication: figurative vs. literal messages.

2. What is metaphor?

3. Typology of metaphors.

4. The motivation of metaphor.

5. The nature of mappings.

6. Metaphorical entailments.

7. Monomodal vs. multimodal metaphors.

8. Metonymy.

9. Figurative language in the picture modality: case studies.

10. Conceptual blending: the basics.

11. Figurative language and axiology: case studies.

12. Synaesthetic metaphors

Methods of instruction/ forms of classroom activity:

- multimodal presentation

- brainstorm

- group work

- follow-up comprehension exercises

Reading list

Evans, V., & Green, M. (2006). Cognitive linguistics: An introduction. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.

Fauconnier, G., & Turner, M. (2002). The way we think: Conceptual blending and the mind's hidden complexities. New York: Basic Books.

Kövecses, Z. (2010). Metaphor: A practicla introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Lakoff, G., & Johnson, M. (1980). Metaphors we live by. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.

Learning outcomes acc to PQR 2019:

Knowledge

1. A student knows the key concepts related to figurative language and communication (k_W02/P6S_WG)

2. A student knows the main theories and approaches to analyse figurative language (k_W04/P6S_WG)

Skills

3. A student is able to use terminology elated to figurative language and communication (k_U01/P6S_UW)

4. A student is able to work in pairs or groups on different figurative languge related exercises (k_U08/P65_UO)

Forms of evaluation of learning outcomes:

1. Active in-class participation 15% of the final grade (outcome 1,2,3,4)

2. An individual presentation 85% of the final grade (outcome 1,2,3)

Final Grading Framework:

60 -67% 3.0

68 - 75% 3.5

76 - 83% 4.0

84 - 91% 4.5

92 - 100% 5.0