IT3LDI-Language, Diversity, and Inclusion: The representation of the otherness in Italian context

Module Provider: Languages and Cultures
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites: IT2L2 Intermediate Italian Language or IT2L3 Advanced Italian Language I or IT2L4 Advanced Italian Language II
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Prof Federico Faloppa
Email: f.faloppa@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module aims to provide students with an understanding of how concepts like identity, otherness, inclusion, and exclusion have been articulated and transmitted in time, and how ‘otherness’ has been construed through language, with a specific focus on the Italian language and its varieties. 

Aims:

The module will let students approach concepts like identity, diversity, ‘normality’, othering, stereotype, ethnocentrism, ethnonym and heteronym through an interdisciplinary perspective combining linguistics and history of the language, anthropology, and social history. With particular attention to the Italian context, and by analysing case studies, students will look at issues of nationalism and national stereotyping, religious and ethnic diversity, colonization and de-colonization, representation of minorities, media representation of migrants and foreigners, gender, political correctness, cancel culture, and ‘inclusive language’. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

On completion of the module, students are expected to be able to: 

• critically explore anthropological and social concepts key to 21st century societies; 


• analyse approach current issues related to discrimination and social inclusion in the Peninsula and beyond; 


• gain an understanding on how ‘diversity’ and ‘normality’ have been construed through language in time; 


• be aware of how stereotypes about minorities have been consolidated and used in time; 


• acquire methodological tools for in-depth historical investigation; 


• acquire a solid knowledge of Italian history through the study of ethnonyms and heteronyms

Additional outcomes:

Students will also acquire: 

• the ability to manage complex information in a structured and systematic way; 


• research skills, including the retrieval of information, the organisation of material, and the evaluation of its importance; 


• the ability to design and conduct a small-scale research project; 


• the ability to present and defend an argument in front of the class. 

Outline content:

During the Autumn term, lessons will be devoted to acquiring analytical frameworks, examine a range of case studies in order to understand how ‘identity’, ‘diversity’, and ‘normality’ have been construed through lexicon and language, and apply interdisciplinary methodologies and analytical skills to design a small-scale research project. 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module will be taught through a combination of formal lectures, seminars, and research project supervisions, for which students will carry out preparatory reading. Seminars will be delivered in structured group discussions.  

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	12	10
Seminars	3
Project Supervision		5
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	90	80
Total hours by term	105	95	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	20
Project output other than dissertation	60
Oral assessment and presentation	20

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Assessment will comprise an oral presentation (either individual or in small groups) in the Autumn Term (worth 20%), an annotated bibliography (ca. 1000 word; worth 20%) by week 7 of the Spring Term, and a 3000-word project (worth 60%) due in the Summer Term.

One piece of assessment worth no more than 50% of the module mark can be replaced by a report produced after an academic placement. The placement must be agreed in advance by the module convenor; the length of the report is to be equivalent to standard departmental practice for coursework.

Formative assessment methods:

All students will be asked to contribute to class discussions and activities. 

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

40% 

Reassessment arrangements:

Re- examination in August in the event of failure in this module and in the degree as a whole. Coursework bearing a confirmed mark of 40% or more can be carried forward; all other coursework to be resubmitted by 12 NOON on the third Friday of August or, if the University is closed, by 12 NOON on the first working day thereafter. 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

Either 

Federico Faloppa, #Odio. Manuale di resistenza alla violenza delle parole”, Milan: UTET, 2020 (ca. £9 kindle edition). 

Or 

Federico Faloppa, Sbiancare un etiope. La costruzione di un immaginario razzista, Milan: UTET, 2022 (ca. £9 kindle edition). 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 25 April 2023