CJVA2MIDE Language and Identity - sharing multicultural experience

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 2 credit(s) (plus 2 credits for an exam). Recommended Type of Completion: zk (examination). Other types of completion: z (credit).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
Agnieszka Suchomelová-Polomska, M.A. (lecturer)
Mgr. Lenka Hanovská, Ph.D. (assistant)
Mgr. Anna Maryšková (assistant)
Guaranteed by
Agnieszka Suchomelová-Polomska, M.A.
Language Centre Faculty of Arts Division – Language Centre
Contact Person: Mgr. Anna Maryšková
Supplier department: Language Centre Faculty of Arts Division – Language Centre
Prerequisites
( CJVA2B English II || CJVVsT Entrance test )&&((FAKULTA(FF)&&TYP_STUDIA(BMN)&&(FORMA(P))&&(!SEMESTR(2))||OBOR(MUSFF)))
This course is intended for full-time students (in their SECOND AND HIGHER semesters) who have an advanced knowledge of English (B2), a minimum B2 command of another language and ideally experience with living abroad. For the mentioned reasons the course might be of interest to bilingual students, exchange students, Erasmus students, as well as the students of philology, linguistics, or anthropology. It is possible to enrol on the course after completing a diagnostic test and proving minimum B2 command of English (course code: CJVVsT, https://is.muni.cz/auth/predmet/phil/podzim2024/CJVVsT)
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
The capacity limit for the course is 16 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/16, only registered: 0/16, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/16
Course objectives
The course aims at practicing English at B2 level according to CEFR (medium of instruction), by bringing in students’ multicultural experience and comparing various languages and cultures as well as feelings and emotions connected with using them. Through analysis of many aspects of languages (grammar, syntax, lexis, etc.) and related cultures (metaphors, hierarchy of values, symbols, heroes, principles, practices) we will make an attempt to answer the question whether, and if so, to what extent our identities are influenced by the languages we speak. The observations will be supported by the existing theoretical framework in areas of linguistics, culture and cognition.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course the students should be able to - easily follow complex interactions in group discussion and debate - follow most lectures, discussions and debates with relative ease - understand a wide variety of texts including literary writings, newspaper or magazine articles, and specialised academic or professional publications - use contextual, grammatical and lexical cues to infer attitude, mood and intentions and anticipate what will come next - give clear, detailed descriptions and presentations on complex subjects, integrating sub-themes, developing particular points and rounding off with an appropriate conclusion - communicate clearly detailed distinctions between ideas, concepts and things that closely resemble one other. - give instructions on carrying out a series of complex professional or academic procedures
Syllabus
  • 1. From foreign to second language learning, bilingualism and bilinguality, personal linguistic repertoires - personal experience vs definitions 2. Language planning and education in different schooling systems 3. Language and culture: traditions, festivals and holidays (family values, religious/historical influences, etc.) 4. Language and culture, hierarchy of values: work, money and leisure time in different countries 5. Language and thought: cognitive skills, linguistic relativity – Sapir, Whorf, Boroditsky 6. Language and thought: differences in metaphors we live by – Lakoff 7.Moving to another country: culture shock and reversed culture shock 8. Moving to another country, gaining cultural competence: enculturation, acculturation and deculturation and their impact on linguistic repertoire 9. Nationalities and temperament – Hofstede 10. Values, Rituals, Heroes, Symbols – Hofstede’s cultural onion model 11. Communication strategies in intercultural interaction
Literature
  • SAPIR, Edward. Language : an introduction to the study of speech. New York: Harcourt, Brace, 1921, vii, 258. info
  • Language, culture, and personality : essays in memory of Edward Sapir. Edited by Leslie Spier - A. Irving Hallowell - Stanley Stewart Newman - Edward S. Menasha, Wis.: Sapir Memorial Publication Fund, 1941, x, 298. info
  • WHORF, Benjamin Lee. Language, thought, and reality : selected writings of Benjamin Lee Whorf. Edited by John Bissell Carroll. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, 1956, xi, 278. ISBN 0262730065. info
  • Boroditsky, L. (2001). Does language shape thought? Mandarin and English speakers' conceptions of time. Cognitive Psychology, 43(1), 1–22.
  • Boroditsky, L. (2000). Metaphoric Structuring: Understanding time through spatial metaphors. Cognition, 75(1), 1–28.
  • LAKOFF, George. Metaphors we live by. Edited by Mark Johnson. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1980, xiii, 242. ISBN 0226468011. info
  • Hofstede, G. (1980) Culture's Consequences : International differences in work-related values Sage Publications
  • HOFSTEDE, Geert. Culture's consequences : comparing values, behaviors, institutions, and organizations across nations. 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, 2001, xx, 596. ISBN 0803973241. info
  • HAMERS, Josiane F. and Michel H. A. BLANC. Bilinguality and bilingualism. 2nd ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000, xiv, 468. ISBN 9780521648431. info
  • Boroditsky, L. (2003), "Linguistic relativity", in Nadel, L. (ed.), Encyclopedia of cognitive science, London: Macmillan, pp. 917–922
  • Thibodeau PH, Boroditsky L (2013) Natural Language Metaphors Covertly Influence Reasoning. PLoS ONE 8(1): e52961. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0052961
Teaching methods
The course will work on the principle of a flipped classroom and will cover reading articles, listening to authentic materials and discussing differences and similarities across languages and cultures. The students will show the understanding of researched topics via mini-presentations, projects, discussions in class, reading assignments and grammar and vocabulary exercises.
Assessment methods
The course requires seminars attendance and completing course assignments. The course is completed by exam tasks including an oral presentation, discussion and essay at C1 level according to CEFR. In the last class of the course, the students will write an argumentative essay, 1000 words long, responding to an article relating to their culture/language in the context of the topics covered. In the examination period they will deliver a presentation and take part in a discussion.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
The course is taught each semester.
The course is taught: every week.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2025, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/spring2025/CJVA2MIDE