ITALIAN LINGUISTICS II

The course is one of the core components of the Bachelor’s Degree in Humanities (Lettere), curriculum in Literary Text and Communication Studies. It aims to present the main features of contemporary Italian, with particular attention to textuality. Key notions such as coherence, cohesion, deixis, reference, collocations, and intertextuality will be introduced and analysed in relation to communicative practices.
The course provides students with a set of analytical tools to be applied within a study path that integrates communication studies and textual analysis.

Attendance, active participation in class, and individual study will enable students to develop the following skills and competences:
acquisition of the main notions of text linguistics, with specific reference to Italian;
knowledge of the sociolinguistic contexts of Italian and of variation, especially along the diaphasic and diamesic axes;
knowledge of the basic conceptual and terminological framework of text and discourse linguistics;
ability to apply the concepts acquired to the analysis of different types of texts;
ability to analyse and critically assess the relevant bibliography;
ability to use appropriate scientific terminology in describing linguistic categories and phenomena;
ability to study notes and reference texts critically, organising information and establishing connections between different concepts.

None.

Course title: The Word in the Text: Introduction to Italian Text Linguistics
The course is a natural continuation of Italian Linguistics I and aims to outline the principles of textual semantics and to introduce students to linguistic mechanisms operating beyond the sentence level.
While focusing on contemporary Italian, the course will also include the necessary historical perspectives to understand the development of writing traditions and genres that remain relevant today.
After introducing the scope of text linguistics, the course will define the fundamental properties of texts and examine different levels of analysis. Topics include: coherence and cohesion; textual reference, anaphora, cataphora, and deixis; information structure in discourse; speech acts; and basic elements of conversation analysis.

Massimo Palermo, Linguistica testuale dell’italiano, Bologna, Il Mulino (full study);
Harald Weinrich, La lingua bugiarda. Possono le parole nascondere i pensieri?, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2007, Chapter 1.

Assessment consists of an oral examination lasting 20–30 minutes. Students are required to demonstrate knowledge of the topics covered in class and the ability to integrate them with the reference materials, showing familiarity with the conceptual and terminological framework of the discipline.
Students must also be able to analyse one of the texts discussed during the course.

oral

The instructor is responsible for ensuring the authenticity and originality of all examinations and coursework. In cases of suspected academic misconduct, an additional on-site assessment may be required during the exams, which may differ from the standard format.

18–22 (pass):
basic and limited knowledge of the syllabus;
limited analytical, communication, and argumentative skills.
23–26 (satisfactory/good):
sound knowledge of the syllabus;
adequate analytical and communication skills, with some imprecision in disciplinary terminology.
27–30 (very good/excellent, with honours):
thorough and excellent knowledge of the syllabus;
strong analytical and argumentative skills, with full command of technical language and independent critical insight (honours).

Lectures supported by materials read and discussed in class, available on the university e-learning platform (moodle.unive.it). Student participation will be regularly encouraged, in line with an interactive and dynamic approach to teaching.