Research seminar in figurative language across languages

Language

English
> French-friendly

Prerequisites

• A bachelor's degree in modern or Romance languages and literature 
• Solid knowledge of academic English 

Main themes

This thematic research seminar focuses on figurative language (conceptual metaphors, metonymy, personification, figurative representation of time and space, etc.) from a cross-linguistic perspective. It offers students the opportunity to take part in a specific research project - in theoretical and/or applied linguistics - supervised by a team of specialized teachers from the various linguistics research centers affiliated to FIAL. 

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	Conduct a scientific study in the field of figurative language across languages under the guidance of a team of experts
2	Present the research questions, methods and results of this research project orally
3	Present the research questions, methods and results of this scientific project in an academic paper
This learning unit contributes to the development and command of the following skills and learning outcomes of the ELAL programmes (ELAL learning outcomes):  1.1 ; 1.4 ; 1.6 ; 2.1 ; 2.3 ; 2.4 ; 2.6 ; 3.1 ; 3.2 ; 3.3 ; 3.5 ; 3.6 ; 4.3 ; 4.5 ; 5.1 ; 5.2 ; 5.3 ; 5.6 ; 6.1 ; 6.2 ; 6.3 ; 6.4 ; 6.5 ; 6.6

Content

In the first part, this seminar will present fundamental concepts and research methods in the field of figurative language. In the second part, students will conduct scientific research in this field, comparing the use of figurative language in at least two languages. 

Teaching methods

Mixed approach consisting of lectures by the course teachers and/or guest researchers and the preparation of a written paper on a specific research topic related to the central theme. 
The first part of the seminar will be provided in English. It will consist of a presentation of the seminar theme and the different methodologies that can be used to study a certain linguistic phenomenon in the field of figurative language. 
In the remaining hours, taught in the student's language of specialty (French, English, Dutch, German, Spanish, Italian), students will prepare a research paper (with oral presentation and written research report), which will be accompanied by one or more teachers of the language and / or area of specialty.  

Evaluation methods

The final assessment in the June term will be based on: 

• a continuous assessment (10% of the total): active participation in class in Q1 and active collaboration with the supervisor(s) of the research project 
• an oral presentation during Q2 on the research conducted (30% of the total)  
• a written research report, submitted by the first day of the June session (60% of the total). 

In the September session, the evaluation will be based on: 

• the oral presentation (40%) which in this session takes the form of a commented PPT (with voice-over) and is submitted before or at the same time as the written research report 
• the written research report (60%), submitted no later than the first day of the August/September session 

With regard to the written research paper, we emphasize that generative artificial intelligence (AI) must be used responsibly and in accordance with the practices of academic and scientific integrity. 

Online resources

Course documents and reading portfolio available on the Moodle platform

Faculty or entity

> ELAL