Language and Discourse
Code: 106215Credits: 6
| Degree programme | Type | Course |
|---|---|---|
| Science, Technology and Humanities | FB | 1 |
Contact lecturer
- Name :
- Maria Rosa Garrido Sarda
- Email :
- mariarosa.garrido@uab.cat
Teaching staff
- Giuseppe Simone Pedote
- Maria Rosa Garrido Sarda
Group languages
You can consult this information at the end of the document.
Prerequisites
As a basic subject, it has no prerequisites.
Objectives
PART 1 – Spanish
- Understand the main changes introduced by the academic norms in force since 2010 and their practical applications.
- Apply normative criteria to scientific and technical writing, with special attention to formal correctness.
- Evaluate the regulatory function of language in specialized genres: style guides, scientific articles, technical reports, etc.
- Recognize the importance of lexical and terminological precision as a guarantee of communicative effectiveness in specialized texts.
- Understand specialized texts as communicative units governed by specific conventions.
- Learn the main features of scientific discourse: objectivity, clarity, use of passives, impersonality, etc.
- Learn to structure scientific texts with appropriateness, coherence, and cohesion.
- Apply writing techniques aimed at dissemination or specialization, depending on the target audience.
- Develop written competence in academic and professional contexts.
PART 2 – English
- Explain the evolution of biomedical categories over the history of science.
- Analyse metaphor, argumentation and narrative in scientific dissemination genres.
- Comprehend and apply basic principles of Critical Discourse Analysis.
- Trace the evolution of language choice in scientific publication.
- Reflect upon the centrality of English in scientific publication
- Describe and compare different multilingual strategies to communicate science.
- Communicate, orally and in writing, complex ideas in academic English.
- Understand and comment authentic materials in English.
Learning outcomes
- Search for and select information sources, assess their importance, and use them in interpreting topics and issues of social interest.
- Construct texts or other communicative tools for passing on ideas and concepts.
- Analyse discourse on scientific and technical knowledge throughout history, using the tools of the different traditions in discourse studies.
- Identify different linguistic and rhetorical resources used throughout the history of science and technology that have played a key role in the progress of the different disciplines.
- "Study the processes by which biomedical categories like ""normal"", ""pathological"", etc. have been constructed, from the perspective of discourse analysis. "
- Situate different visions of the world, together with their influence on scientific practice, in their socio-historical context, on the basis of textual analysis.
- "Situate psychological or medical categories like ""madness"" or ""monstrosity"" in their sociohistorical context. "
- Recognise the different discourse genres in the field of scientific literature, together with their sociohistorical nature.
- Analyse discourse from different perspectives and suggest ways to improve the construction of this discourse.
- Analyse the sex-/gender-based inequalities and gender bias in one's own area of knowledge.
- Communicate by making non-sexist, non-discriminatory use of language.
- Use digital tools to collect, classify, analyse and interpret significant data related to language studies.
- Identifying the main and secondary ideas and expressing them with linguistic correctness.
- Write text commentaries from a critical standpoint.
- Produce organised, correct discourse, oral and written, in the corresponding language.
Contents
PART 1 – Spanish
Topic 1.1.
Current Spanish language norms and their impact on specialized language and scientific discourse
This topic focuses on the most recent normative changes in Spanish, as proposed by the Association of Academies of the Spanish Language (ASALE) based on the academic norms in force since 2010 (Ortografía de la lengua española and Nueva gramática de la lengua española).
The approach will concentrate on specialized texts—particularly scientific, technical, and academic texts—where lexical and terminological precision, expository clarity, and adherence to the standard Spanish norm are essential.
The main changes and updates in syntactic, orthographic, and grammatical aspects will be examined, analyzing how they influence the writing, editing, and standardization of specialized discourse in Spanish.
Additionally, the course will include reflections on the role of academic norms in scientific communication, especially in terms of language standardization, terminological transparency, and the reliability of content in international contexts.
Topic 1.2.
Production and analysis of specialized texts in Spanish
The main objective of this module is to develop discourse and textual competence in the field of languages for specific purposes, with special focus on scientific discourse in Spanish.
The course will address the key structural, linguistic, and communicative features of specialized texts, with emphasis on aspects such as lexical precision, expository clarity, argumentative coherence, and adequacy to the scientific-academic context.
Students will work with real examples of genres typical of scientific discourse (academic articles, abstracts, introductions, results, conclusions, oral scientific communications, etc.) and will develop strategies for textual analysis and production in these fields.
PART 2 – English
Topic 2.1. Scientific discourse
- Language, science and ideology
- Critical discourse analysis and the biomedical sciences
Topic 2.1. will examine the power of language in the production of scientific knowledge under specific sociohistorical conditions. Inspired by Michel Foucault’s theories, we will use Critical Discourse Analysis tools to analyse how linguistic, narrative and visual resources construct scientific knowledge in the biomedical sciences.
Topic 2.2. Language in the history of science
- Evolution of multilingualism and English as a lingua franca
- Communicating science in crises
Topic 2.2. will be devoted to the evolution of language choice, notably English as a lingua franca, in scientific publication and public communication in crises. We will draw on both historical and contemporary documents to examine specific strategies to disseminate scientific findings.
Learning activities and methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classroom practice and text commentary | 16 | 0.64 | 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 |
| Tutoring and work supervision | 4.25 | 0.17 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 |
| Reading, revision and assignment preparation | 84.75 | 3.39 | 1, 2, 3, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 |
| Theoretical lessons | 33 | 1.32 | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13 |
The course is structured around a combination of guided, autonomous, and supervised learning activities, aimed at promoting active and progressive student engagement.
In-person sessions include theoretical lectures delivered by the teaching staff, practical exercises involving text analysis and commentary, and classroom discussions designed to foster critical thinking and argumentative skills. Student participation is considered an essential component of the learning process.
Independent work is a key aspect of the course and includes reading texts, preparing materials, completing exercises, individual study, and consulting normative and documentary sources. Students will be expected to read assigned texts and engage with audiovisual materials in preparation for class discussion and analysis (flipped classroom methodology).
Tutorials and supervised activities are intended to guide students in the completion of their assignments, clarify doubts, and provide individual follow-up throughout the learning process.
The course schedule and learning materials will be made available on the Virtual Campus. Additionally, in accordance with the official academic calendar, 15 minutes of one class session will be reserved for students to complete teaching and course evaluation surveys.
Assessment
Continuous assessment activities
| Title | Weight | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Questionnaire on rules and technical Spanish language | 25 % | 1.5 | 0.06 | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 |
| Part 2 portfolio | 20 % | 7 | 0.28 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 |
| Test 2 (Topic 2.2) | 15% | 1 | 0.04 | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15 |
| Questionnaire on Spanish text production and analysis | 25 % | 1.5 | 0.06 | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 |
| Test 1 (topic 2.1) | 15% | 1 | 0.04 | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15 |
Continuous assessment:
Students will be evaluated through five continuous assessment tasks, two corresponding to the Spanish section and two to the English section, each with a weight of 25 % of the final grade.
The activities are designed to develop students’ linguistic and discursive competence in academic, technical, and scientific contexts, with particular attention to current language norms and the conventions of specialized discourse. Writing proficiency will be assessed as part of the evaluation process (spelling and grammatical errors may negatively affect the final grade). All assessment tasks are compulsory and will be completed on the dates scheduled at the beginning of the course (these will be announced on the subject’s Virtual Campus in the first weeks of the semester).
Resits:
All assessment tasks are resit-eligible, provided that the student has obtained a minimum average mark of 3.5 out of 10.
Plagiarism:
If a student engages in any irregularity that significantly affects the grade of an assessment task, that task will be graded with a 0, regardless of any disciplinary procedure that may follow. If multiple irregularities are detected in the assessment tasks of a single subject, the final grade for that subject will be 0.
Artificial Intelligence (AI):
The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools is not permitted at any stage of academic work in this subject. Any task that includes AI-generated content will be considered a case of academic dishonesty and will be awarded a non-recoverable 0,or more serious sanctions in cases of greater severity.
Part 1 – Spanish language
- Test 1 (25 %): Online questionnaire (50 questions) on current Spanish language norms and their impact on specialized language and scientific discourse. The test assesses the student’s knowledge and application of the most recent normative changes (ASALE, 2010), with particular attention to formal accuracy, lexical precision, and expository clarity.
- Test 2 (25 %): Online questionnaire (50 questions) on the production and analysis of specialized texts. The test evaluates understanding of the textual mechanisms typical of scientific, technical, and professional discourse: coherence, cohesion, paragraph structure, and appropriate use of linguistic resources.
Part 2 – English language
The student's command of English and the use of gender inclusive language will be considered when marking coursework.
- Individual portfolio (20%) The portfolio will include practical exercises, contributions to Academic Reading Circles and personal reflections that the student has completed during the semester.
- Written exams (30%) The exams corresponding to each topic in Part 2 will assess the comprehension and application of key ideas and theories in the course to both historical and contemporary texts that disseminate scientific research and knowledge.
Single assessment:
This subject does not allow for a single assessment.
INCOMING MOBILITY STUDENTS:
Students requesting to reschedule an exam or assessment to an earlier date must present the instructor with a written document from their home university justifying their request.
Bibliography
PART 1 – Spanish
- Alvar Ezquerra, Manuel (1999). Manual de redacción y estilo. Madrid: Ediciones AKAL.
- Calvi, M. V., Bordonaba Zabalza, C., Mapelli, G., & Santos López, J. (2023). Las lenguas de especialidad en español. Rome: Carocci editore.
- Cassany, Daniel (1995). La cocina de la escritura. Barcelona: Anagrama.
- Gómez Torrego, Leonardo (2013). Las normas académicas: últimos cambios. Madrid: EDICIONES SM.
- Official online resources: Fundéu, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas, Centro Virtual Cervantes, among others.
PART 2 – English
The lecturer will provide a reading list and complementary material on Moodle. More specific references will be provided at the onset of each topic.
- Foucault, Michel (1971). Orders of discourse. Lecture delivered at the Collège de France. Social Science Information 10 (2), 7-30.
- Gordin, Michael (2015). Scientific Babel: How science was done before and after Global English. University of Chicago Press.
- Handford, Michael and Gee, James P. (Eds.), The Routledge Handbook of Discourse Analysis (2nd Ed.). Routledge.
- Morgan, Mary S.; Hajek, Kim M.; & Berry, Dominic J. (2022). Narrative Science: Reasoning, Representing and Knowing since 1800. Cambridge University Press.
- Piller, Ingrid; Zhang, Jie; and Li, Jia (2020). Linguistic diversity in a Time of Crisis: Language Challenges of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Multilingua, 39 (5), 503-515.
- Semino, Elena; Demjén, Zsófia; Hardie, Andrew; Payne, Sheila and Rayson, Paul (2018). Metaphor, Cancer and the End of Life: A Corpus-Based Study. Routledge.
Audiovisual resources:
BBC Radio 4: Word of Mouth [selected episodes]
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qtnz
Language on The Move [selected blog entries]
https://www.languageonthemove.com/
Software
No specific software is required.
Course groups and languages
The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE
| Type of teaching | Group | Language | Semester | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (TE) Theory | 1 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PAUL) Classroom practices | 1 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | morning-mixed |