What is “political language”. The particular nature of political language and its relation with specialist languages. The relation between Political Science and the Analysis of Political Language. The different uses of political language in the different media: television, press, radio and new media. Strategic argumentation starting from classic theories of rhetoric. The relationship between the speaker and the audience
Giorgio Fedel, Saggi sul linguaggio e l'oratoria politica, Giuffrè, Milano 1999; Mark Thompson, La fine del dibattito pubblico, Feltrinelli 2017 + one text among the following:
)Chaim Perelman, Lucie Olbrechts-Tyteca, Trattato dell'argomentazione. La nuova retorica, Einaudi, 2013, pp. 1-60
71-124, 155-180, 283-354, 427-445,549-555;
2) Victor Klemperer: La Lingua del Terzo Reich, Giuntina, Firenze, 2011; 3)Stefano Pivato, Favole e Politica, Il Mulino, Bologna 2015
Learning Objectives
The course aims at providing the students with the necessary tools to understand the nature and the functions of political language. It also gives an overview on the main research methods on political discourse. In particular, the role of the historical context and of the ideological apparatus of political speeches will be underlined. The study of the evolution of political language in the so-called Third Age of Political Communication will be the prerequisite for the analysis of efficient argumentative strategies.
Prerequisites
None
Teaching Methods
Frontal Didactics; Oral presentations by the students of case studies.
Type of Assessment
Oral examination
Course program
The course analyses political discourse in its main elements. It underlines the sectorial nature of political language and its natural relationship with the symbolic dimensions of politics, as well as its functions. Particular attention is devoted to the function of persuasion through the use of symbolic power.
Different approaches in the analysis of political language. Analysis of argumentative strategies, their construction and use.