Covenant University
College of Development Studies
Department of Languages and General Studies
Course Compact
Program:
Course Code:
Course Title:
Units:
Lecturer:
Session:
Semester:
Time:
Venue:
English
ENG 412
PRAGMATICS
2
Dr. I. Chiluwa/Dr. E. Igwebuike
2014/2015
Alpha
12-2pm (Mon)
Lang. Lab
Brief Overview of Course
This course aims at exposing students to the principles of pragmatics not only as a discipline but
also as everyday language use. Like other sociolinguistic sub-fields pragmatics attempts to
demonstrate the social dimensions of language and explain the difference between linguistic
forms and what speakers actually say and mean in different social contexts. Relevant concepts in
Pragmatics in relation to the study of English in a second language situation will be examined.
The course will also examine some theories of pragmatics and how they relate to the principles
of language use in the context of social life. Pragmatics and its interfaces will also be discussed.
Course Objectives/Goals
At the end of this course, students should be able to:
(a)
(b)
Differentiate between Pragmatics and other disciplines in linguistics
Explain some basic pragmatic principles/concepts such as tact, deixis inference,
entailment, presupposition, speech acts, Implicature, politeness etc.
Apply some of the above concepts/theories to analyse simple texts
(c)
Method of Lecture delivery/Teaching Aids
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Guided instructions
Interactive sessions
Tutorials
Group works/projects
ICT-based teaching aids (e.g. Multi-media projector/power points)
Course Outlines
MODULE A: MEANING AND PRINCIPLES OF PRAGMATICS
Week 1:
(i) Definitions of Pragmatics (ii) Principles/Goals of Pragmatics; (iii) Scope of
Pragmatics (iv) A Historical Overview of Pragmatics
Week 2:
(i) Utterance Meaning vs. Sentence Meaning (ii) Pragmatics and Semantics (iii)
Text and Context (iv) Meaning and Features of Context
Week 3:
(i) Linguistic Context (ii) Physical/environmental Context (iii) Interpersonal
Context (iv) Situational/socio-cultural Context (v) Institutional Context (vi)
Components of Discourse Context
Test 1
(15%)
MODULE B: CONCEPTS IN PRAGMATICS
Week 4:
Week 5:
Week 6:
Week 7:
Test 2
(i) Tact as a pragmatic concept (ii) Tact as politeness (iii) Face-saving tact (vi)
Deixis/deictic reference (v) person deixis (vi) place deixis (vii) Time deixis (viii)
deictic and meaning (ix) deictic centre (x) deixis and you
(i) Reference and Inference (ii) Semantic Reference (iii) Pragmatic Reference (iv)
Intention (v) Inference
(i) Presupposition (ii) Semantic presupposition (iii) pragmatic presupposition
(iv) Presupposition in the real world (v) Conversational principle/maxims
(i) Entailment (ii) Implicature (iii) Politeness (iv) Politeness as face saving (v)
models of politeness strategies
(15%)
MODULE C: THEORIES OF PRAGMATICS
Week 8:
Week 9:
(i) Austin’s /Searle’s theory of Speech Acts: (ii) Grice’s theory of conversational
Implicature (iii) Other theoretical contributions (e.g. Adegbija’s)
(i) Speech Events (ii) Utterances in Speech Events (iii) Conversations as Speech
Events (iv) Pragmatics and Conversation Analysis
MODULE E: PRAGMATICS AND ITS INTERFACES
Week 10:
(i) Pragmatics and Discourse Structure: discourse Markers (ii) Pragmatics of
Language Performance (iii) Pragmatics and Grammar (iv) Pragmatics and the
Lexicon (v) Pragmatics and Intonation
Week 11:
(i) Pragmatics and core Linguistics (ii) Pragmatics and Sociolinguistics (iii)
Pragmatics and Discourse Analysis
MODULE F: DOING A PROJECT WORK IN PRAGMATICS
Week 12:
(i) Researching Topics (ii) Reading Literature (iii) Collecting data
(iv) Analysing Data (v) Methodology (vi) Reporting findings
Week 13:
Week 14:
Revision/Tutorials
Examination
Method of Grading
Continuous Assessment
Examination
30%
70%
Ground Rules/Regulations
Students are to be seated at least 5 minutes to the time of lecture. Lecture door closes 10 minutes after the
commencement of lecture. Students are to attend lectures with relevant materials/texts. No form of
misconduct would be permitted in class. Side-talks, rude language, improper dressing, eating etc. would
attract appropriate penalties.
Topics for Assignments/Students Activities
Each lecture topic is followed by a number of exercises/activities. For instance students will be required
to examine:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
The principles and scope of pragmatics
Pragmatics and grammar
Features of situational/socio-cultural contexts; relating context to the interpretation of the
contents of headlines, bumper stickers, announcement notes, notices etc. investigating power
relations, politeness strategies and discursive practices
Term paper topics are usually determined in class but tentatively we may be working on:
(a) politeness/distance/gender and discursive practices in computer-mediated communication
(b) Speech acts, implicature, power enactment, negotiations and relations in media discourse etc.
Alignment with Covenant University Vision/Goals
As part of the vision of Covenant University with regard to raising a new generation of leaders in Nigeria
and beyond this course is intended to produce very high caliber personnel in communication and
language skills. This course is especially designed to equip students with necessary skills in wring and
speaking with adequate social etiquettes and norms that promote culture and social development. Skills
in linguistic and discourse pragmatics are a must for any language user who hopes to succeed in
communicating effectively with maximum results.
Contemporary Issues/Industry Relevance
There is always the need for highly qualified personnel with high level communication skills and more
importantly with proper social etiquette and mannerism. The study and understanding of pragmatics are
a requisite for communication at all corporate contexts and levels, because it enables you to know what to
say and how to say it. The products of this course like others in the English department are expected to
satisfy the needs for placement in the academia, the mass media – the corporate world and indeed all
other fields where a high degree of proficiency in English and communication skills are required.
Recommended Reading
Grundy, P. (2008) Doing Pragmatics (third edition). London: Arnold
Mey, J. (2001) Pragmatics: an Introduction (2nd edition). Malden. MA. Blackwell
Leech, G. (1983) Principles of Pragmatics. London: Longman
Levinson, S. (1983) Pragmatics. Cambridge: CUP