Language, Interaction and Society
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course has two aims:
1) to study issues that fall within the area of humanities and social sciences, with particular reference to the relationship between language, interactions (microlevel) and society (macrolevel), through a survey of the main sociolinguistic and anthropological approaches that have been devoted to this theme;
2) to learn how to carry out an analysis of talk, through the methods of conversation analysis and discourse analysis, applied to real dialogues.
1) to study issues that fall within the area of humanities and social sciences, with particular reference to the relationship between language, interactions (microlevel) and society (macrolevel), through a survey of the main sociolinguistic and anthropological approaches that have been devoted to this theme;
2) to learn how to carry out an analysis of talk, through the methods of conversation analysis and discourse analysis, applied to real dialogues.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
In-depth knowledge of topics related to the relationship between language, interactions and society, and of the main sociolinguistic and anthropological approaches studied in language in interaction. Acquisition of methods for the analysis of actual everyday dialogues. In this way, the graduate comes into contact with both concrete problems, which require theories and empirically practicable solutions, and with the specific study tools of the sociological, anthropological and sociolinguistic disciplines. These skills are developed through the presentation of a plurality of theories that address problems presented in the lecture, in the classroom discussion, in individual study following the instructions of the teacher and in the exam (written).
Capacity to apply knowledge and understanding
Ability to apply the knowledge and critical skills acquired even outside the thematic areas covered in the course and also beyond the disciplinary boundaries of philosophy. - Ability to critically engage with the various research methods and apply them to new problems. At the end of the study path, the graduate will have acquired the following skills: - high capacity for critical understanding of the problems in the chosen areas; - mature capacity for discussion and comparison between divergent theoretical and cultural perspectives; - developed capacity for communicating the knowledge acquired. These skills have been developed through: - attendance at lessons; - individual study; - discussions in the class; - individual presentations in free training activities; - team work; - exams; - the preparation of the thesis.
In-depth knowledge of topics related to the relationship between language, interactions and society, and of the main sociolinguistic and anthropological approaches studied in language in interaction. Acquisition of methods for the analysis of actual everyday dialogues. In this way, the graduate comes into contact with both concrete problems, which require theories and empirically practicable solutions, and with the specific study tools of the sociological, anthropological and sociolinguistic disciplines. These skills are developed through the presentation of a plurality of theories that address problems presented in the lecture, in the classroom discussion, in individual study following the instructions of the teacher and in the exam (written).
Capacity to apply knowledge and understanding
Ability to apply the knowledge and critical skills acquired even outside the thematic areas covered in the course and also beyond the disciplinary boundaries of philosophy. - Ability to critically engage with the various research methods and apply them to new problems. At the end of the study path, the graduate will have acquired the following skills: - high capacity for critical understanding of the problems in the chosen areas; - mature capacity for discussion and comparison between divergent theoretical and cultural perspectives; - developed capacity for communicating the knowledge acquired. These skills have been developed through: - attendance at lessons; - individual study; - discussions in the class; - individual presentations in free training activities; - team work; - exams; - the preparation of the thesis.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Language has always been neglected in the social sciences. This has also happened in the humanities and philosophy, where (real) conversations and (concrete) communicative exchanges have often received little attention. Yet, it is too often forgotten that it is languages, conversations, that construct reality. Therefore the saying "facts, not words" is empirically unfounded.
Within this perspective, the course offers an overview of the different approaches to the study of the relationships between language, social interactions (micro) and society (macro). This interdisciplinary field intersects several disciplines:
· the sociology of language (also known as macro-sociolinguistics), introduced by Joshua Fishman, which studies society and its impact on language;
· sociolinguistics, born in the West in the 1960s, founded by linguists such as William Labov in the United States and Basil Bernstein in the United Kingdom. Sociolinguistics focuses on the effect of society on language, the latter being the main object of study. Therefore, it studies the effect of society on language and how language varies according to the sociological background of the user (such as gender, ethnicity and social class).
Sociolinguistics has many points in common with:
· pragmatics, ethnography of communication (Dell Hymes), ethnopragmatics (Alessandro Duranti)
· and is closely related to linguistic anthropology (John Gumperz, Charles Goodwin).
These approaches will explore the relationships between a) language and interactional context (micro), and language and social context (macro).
The second part of the course will be dedicated to the different approaches and methods for the analysis of speech (discourse and conversation analysis): the presentation of research and group works will be the core of this second part.
The third part will focus on racist discourse and discriminatory discourses (gender, sexual orientation). Group works will also be presented in this part.
Within this perspective, the course offers an overview of the different approaches to the study of the relationships between language, social interactions (micro) and society (macro). This interdisciplinary field intersects several disciplines:
· the sociology of language (also known as macro-sociolinguistics), introduced by Joshua Fishman, which studies society and its impact on language;
· sociolinguistics, born in the West in the 1960s, founded by linguists such as William Labov in the United States and Basil Bernstein in the United Kingdom. Sociolinguistics focuses on the effect of society on language, the latter being the main object of study. Therefore, it studies the effect of society on language and how language varies according to the sociological background of the user (such as gender, ethnicity and social class).
Sociolinguistics has many points in common with:
· pragmatics, ethnography of communication (Dell Hymes), ethnopragmatics (Alessandro Duranti)
· and is closely related to linguistic anthropology (John Gumperz, Charles Goodwin).
These approaches will explore the relationships between a) language and interactional context (micro), and language and social context (macro).
The second part of the course will be dedicated to the different approaches and methods for the analysis of speech (discourse and conversation analysis): the presentation of research and group works will be the core of this second part.
The third part will focus on racist discourse and discriminatory discourses (gender, sexual orientation). Group works will also be presented in this part.
Prerequisites for admission
none
Teaching methods
- proactive frontal lessons (i.e. no questions, no lessons)
- students' presentations of assigned theoretical articles and debate
- students' presentations of an conversation analysis exercise and debate
- classroom discussion
- students' presentations of assigned theoretical articles and debate
- students' presentations of an conversation analysis exercise and debate
- classroom discussion
Teaching Resources
For ATTENDEE students:
- Simpson, Andrew (2019), Language and society. An Introduction, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
For NON-ATTENDEE students:
- Simpson, Andrew (2019), Language and society. An Introduction, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Heath, C., Hindmarsh, J. & Luff (2010), Video in Qualitative Research: Analysing Social Interaction in Everyday Life, London: Sage.
- Goddard, Cliff (2006), Ethnopragmatics. Understanding Discourse in Cultural Context, Berlin, De Gruyter.
- Simpson, Andrew (2019), Language and society. An Introduction, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
For NON-ATTENDEE students:
- Simpson, Andrew (2019), Language and society. An Introduction, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Heath, C., Hindmarsh, J. & Luff (2010), Video in Qualitative Research: Analysing Social Interaction in Everyday Life, London: Sage.
- Goddard, Cliff (2006), Ethnopragmatics. Understanding Discourse in Cultural Context, Berlin, De Gruyter.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam aims at ascertaining:
· the achievement of the course objectives in terms of knowledge and understanding
· the capacity to apply knowledge and understanding
· the autonomy of judgment of the student
· the mastery of the specific language related to sociolinguistics and sociology of language, and the ability to present arguments in a clear and orderly manner.
The exam is differentiated for ATTENDEE and NON-ATTENDEE students.
ATTENDEE status is acquired by attending at least 80% of the lessons. Hence, non-attendance threshold is maximum 6 lessons (out of 30).
For ATTENDEE students the exam mark is constituted by:
- (group) class presentation of 3 assigned theoretical articles
- (group) class presentation of an conversation analysis exercise
- Simpson, Andrew (2019), Language and society. An Introduction, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
For NON-ATTENDEE students there is a written exam focused on the following 3 texbooks:
- Heath, C., Hindmarsh, J. & Luff (2010), Video in Qualitative Research: Analysing Social Interaction in Everyday Life, London: Sage.
- Simpson, Andrew (2019), Language and society. An Introduction, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Goddard, Cliff (2006), Ethnopragmatics. Understanding Discourse in Cultural Context, Berlin, De Gruyter.
· the achievement of the course objectives in terms of knowledge and understanding
· the capacity to apply knowledge and understanding
· the autonomy of judgment of the student
· the mastery of the specific language related to sociolinguistics and sociology of language, and the ability to present arguments in a clear and orderly manner.
The exam is differentiated for ATTENDEE and NON-ATTENDEE students.
ATTENDEE status is acquired by attending at least 80% of the lessons. Hence, non-attendance threshold is maximum 6 lessons (out of 30).
For ATTENDEE students the exam mark is constituted by:
- (group) class presentation of 3 assigned theoretical articles
- (group) class presentation of an conversation analysis exercise
- Simpson, Andrew (2019), Language and society. An Introduction, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
For NON-ATTENDEE students there is a written exam focused on the following 3 texbooks:
- Heath, C., Hindmarsh, J. & Luff (2010), Video in Qualitative Research: Analysing Social Interaction in Everyday Life, London: Sage.
- Simpson, Andrew (2019), Language and society. An Introduction, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Goddard, Cliff (2006), Ethnopragmatics. Understanding Discourse in Cultural Context, Berlin, De Gruyter.
Modules or teaching units
Parte A e B
SPS/07 - GENERAL SOCIOLOGY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Parte C
SPS/07 - GENERAL SOCIOLOGY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
every Thursday from 9:30 to 12:30 (contact the lecturer)
office, second floor, cortile Ghiacciaia