B004700 (B004) - LINGUA INGLESE 2 (12 CFU) (CURRICULUM: STUDI LINGUISTICI, LETTERARI E INTERCULTURALI - D42) 2019-2020

                             Language and Culture of the U.S.A.

Dott. John Gilbert

Wednesday 9 -11 Room 007 VSR

Office Hours Wednesday 11-13 Room 207 vSR  N.B. Until the coronavirus crisis is over, you can contact me by email at john.gilbert@unifi.it during my office hours, or at any other time that is convenient for you.

The course will briefly examine the historical development of English in the world, and then consider the major differences between British and North American standard English, and the principal varieties of English in North America today. Then, from an intercultural and primarily sociolinguistic perspective, the course will look at the historical and socio-cultural significance of certain holidays and traditions originating and/or celebrated in the U.S.A. (including Thanksgiving, Columbus Day, Halloween, May Day (May 1st), International Women’s Day, Gay Pride, Martin Luther King Day). Each lesson will have a strong lexical component, with the intention of expanding students’ knowledge and use of vocabulary. Class work and discussion will be based on selected language exercises made available by the instructor. For more in-depth study, students may choose to read A Survey of Modern English, S. Gramley & K. Pätzoid (pp. 1-7, 336-383). Students will be required to do a short essay (minimum 700 words) based on their research on the Statue of Liberty - Ellis Island Foundation website. At the end of the semester, students will be evaluated with a written examination on the basis of their knowledge of the subjects and material covered both in lessons. If students prefer, it will also be possible to do an oral examination. The student’s participation in class discussion will be taken into account as well in determining the final course grade. 

N.B. Every week I will send an invitation to your Unifi.it address to participate in my Wednesday lesson 9-11. on G Suite "Meet." The recordings of my weekly lessons are posted on my Unifi G Suite Drive which I have given you authorization to access. If you have any problems, please contact at me john.gilbert@unifi.it