Language in Politics
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
Il corso illustra gli usi della lingua inglese nell'ambito della comunicazione politica contemporanea, analizzando contesti diversi ma correlati, dall'arena pubblica e dalle sedi istituzionali ai news media e i social networks. Tra gli aspetti linguistici, discorsivi e culturali dei messaggi, particolare attenzione è riservata all'impiego della metafora concettuale. I testi utilizzati discutono di alcuni case study di grande attualità.
Expected learning outcomes
Undefined
Lesson period: Third trimester
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
Third trimester
Course syllabus
The course is divided into three modules:
Module 1:
The introduction to the analysis of political language: rhetoric, lexicon, and critical discourse analysis. The texts and examples considered will focus on political debate in its various media forms (traditional media and social media). In addition to lectures, there will be practical sessions analyzing political texts to help students develop their linguistic analysis skills in English.
Module 2:
Trumpian language in the construction of the concepts of border and wall at the U.S.-Mexico border. The language used by Trump during his first presidential campaign will be analyzed, focusing on how discourses around immigration and border closure contributed to the creation of a traditional and "defensive" idea of the nation. Alongside lectures, there will be practical sessions analyzing political texts by Trump, Hillary Clinton, and Joe Biden, to further develop students' linguistic analysis skills in English.
Module 3:
The third module will focus on the students' ability to produce short analytical essays and group presentations in English. Students will be provided with the main tools for writing an essay, as well as the fundamental tools for working in a team and creating a presentation on political topics, including both a theoretical component (based on the course textbooks) and a practical case study (chosen independently by the students).
Module 1:
The introduction to the analysis of political language: rhetoric, lexicon, and critical discourse analysis. The texts and examples considered will focus on political debate in its various media forms (traditional media and social media). In addition to lectures, there will be practical sessions analyzing political texts to help students develop their linguistic analysis skills in English.
Module 2:
Trumpian language in the construction of the concepts of border and wall at the U.S.-Mexico border. The language used by Trump during his first presidential campaign will be analyzed, focusing on how discourses around immigration and border closure contributed to the creation of a traditional and "defensive" idea of the nation. Alongside lectures, there will be practical sessions analyzing political texts by Trump, Hillary Clinton, and Joe Biden, to further develop students' linguistic analysis skills in English.
Module 3:
The third module will focus on the students' ability to produce short analytical essays and group presentations in English. Students will be provided with the main tools for writing an essay, as well as the fundamental tools for working in a team and creating a presentation on political topics, including both a theoretical component (based on the course textbooks) and a practical case study (chosen independently by the students).
Prerequisites for admission
Students must have passed a Placement Test in English (more info on how and when to sit for the Placement Test, see here: https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/competenze-linguistiche/placement-test-test-di-ingresso-e-corsi-di-inglese).
Teaching methods
Lecturing.
Team work.
Peer correction and feedback.
Continuous Assessment.
Team work.
Peer correction and feedback.
Continuous Assessment.
Teaching Resources
Module 1:
Alan Partington. (2026). The Language of Persuasion in Politics and the Media. Routledge.
Module 2:
Massimiliano Demata. (2023). Discourses of Borders and the Nation in the USA: A Discourse-Historical Analysis. Routledge.
Module 3:
Materials provided by the professors.
In general, the materials provided in class and the presentations used during the lessons will be shared on the course's Ariel page. The timing of the uploads may vary.
Alan Partington. (2026). The Language of Persuasion in Politics and the Media. Routledge.
Module 2:
Massimiliano Demata. (2023). Discourses of Borders and the Nation in the USA: A Discourse-Historical Analysis. Routledge.
Module 3:
Materials provided by the professors.
In general, the materials provided in class and the presentations used during the lessons will be shared on the course's Ariel page. The timing of the uploads may vary.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Attending Students (those with at least 75% recorded attendance) will be assessed through continuous assessment, which includes:
- The submission of a short essay analyzing an excerpt from a political speech;
- A group presentation of a case study related to one of the topics covered during the course;
- A final computer-based multiple-choice test (15 questions in 20 minutes).
Grades will be officially recorded at the first available exam session.
Students who have not passed the SLAM English Placement Test will not be eligible for continuous evaluation.
Non-Attending Students (less than 75% recorded attendance) will be assessed through the final computer-based exam:
- 11 multiple-choice theory questions;
- 3 open-ended questions analyzing an excerpt from a political speech provided in the test;
- 3 open-ended questions discussing theoretical aspects of the course content.
The duration of the final exam is 90 minutes.
- The submission of a short essay analyzing an excerpt from a political speech;
- A group presentation of a case study related to one of the topics covered during the course;
- A final computer-based multiple-choice test (15 questions in 20 minutes).
Grades will be officially recorded at the first available exam session.
Students who have not passed the SLAM English Placement Test will not be eligible for continuous evaluation.
Non-Attending Students (less than 75% recorded attendance) will be assessed through the final computer-based exam:
- 11 multiple-choice theory questions;
- 3 open-ended questions analyzing an excerpt from a political speech provided in the test;
- 3 open-ended questions discussing theoretical aspects of the course content.
The duration of the final exam is 90 minutes.
L-LIN/12 - LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION - ENGLISH - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professor:
Anselmo Anna
Professor(s)