120117 AR MA Adv. Course Ling. 1-5 (Adv. / Hist. & Descr. / Appl. & TEFL) = Adv. Course in English Ling. (225) (2010S)

Does truth always triumph? Controversy and co-operation in linguistics.

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 12 - Anglistik

Continuous assessment of course work

Diese LVA gilt für das Masterstudium English Language and Linguistics nach UG2002, das Diplomstudium (UniStG) und das Lehramt UF Englisch (UniStG).

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).

Registration is open from We 10.02.2010 06:00 to We 17.02.2010 23:59
Registration is open from Sa 20.02.2010 10:00 to Th 04.03.2010 16:00
Deregistration possible until We 31.03.2010 23:59

Details

max. 30 participants

Language: English

Lecturers

Nikolaus Ritt

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

Tuesday 09.03. 08:00 - 10:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
Tuesday 16.03. 08:00 - 10:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
Tuesday 23.03. 08:00 - 10:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
Tuesday 13.04. 08:00 - 10:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
Tuesday 20.04. 08:00 - 10:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
Tuesday 27.04. 08:00 - 10:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
Tuesday 04.05. 08:00 - 10:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
Tuesday 11.05. 08:00 - 10:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
Tuesday 18.05. 08:00 - 10:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
Tuesday 01.06. 08:00 - 10:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
Tuesday 08.06. 08:00 - 10:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
Tuesday 15.06. 08:00 - 10:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
Tuesday 22.06. 08:00 - 10:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
Tuesday 29.06. 08:00 - 10:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

In this course we shall select a number of controversial linguistic issues in order to debate them. Such issues might include the question whether all languages and dialects are indeed equal, the question how much of human language is genetically programmed, or the problem if language determines thought or not. Our focus will not be primarily on the issues themselves, however, but on (a) the means by which linguistic arguments are won or lost, (b) the roles which plausibility and rhetorical persuasiveness play in such arguments, and (c) the general question whether and to what extent debate, argument and controversy help to improve our understanding of scientific problems.

Assessment and permitted materials

Crucially, participants will NOT be assessed on whether they win a debate or not. Instead the assessment of their performance in oral debates and written exchanges will reflect how valiantly they defended their position - even if it should turn out indefensible in the end. Apart from their performance in oral debates and writen exchanges, participants will also be assessed on the basis of their contributions to classroom and online discussions.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

The course has a twofold aim. First, it is supposed to increase our practical skills in linguistic argumentation. We shall try to get better at making strong arguments, at detecting and attacking weak spots in the arguments of others, and at defending our views when they are attacked. Secondly, it is supposed to make us aware that also in academic discourse there is a difference between persuasive arguments and legitimate arguments, and to help us learn to distinguish between the two types.

Examination topics

In the first (and shorter) part of the course, a (very) basic introduction to rhetoric and the most common rhetorical tricks will be given. We shall focus particularly 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 the members of such pairs will stage oral debates on their chosen controversies, each of them defending one of two opposing positions. After each debate, the audience will have a chance to question the discussants, and will determine the winner by vote. Oral debates will be followed by written exchanges, which will be published on the Fronter platform. Once again, the other participants will be able to post comments, and will determine the winner by online vote.

Reading list

Handouts and references will be provided as we go along.

Association in the course directory

Diplom 343, UF 344, MA 812
LI 12-0195, SPCode 223-225, 225, 226/228, 236/238, 721-723, M03, M04, M05

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:33