Universidad de Jaén

Contents will turn around the current state of English studies in the 21st. century. Both in the linguistic and the literary block, we will first deal with the basic elements for description, that is, the use of English from a descriptive point of view, and creative texts considering the language employed, genres and literariness. Secondly, we will deal with schools of linguistics and with different approaches to the literary text. We will finish with a reflection on how the notions of English, of its study from a scientific perspective and of literariness have changed in recent years.

1. An updated approach to the description of English: modes of discourse, standards and forms of English internationally.

2. The areas of linguistic analysis - from graphophonology to discourse

2.1. Introduction: Linguistic Studies

2.2. Science, the scientific method and gnoseology of linguistics

2.3. Theoretical Linguistics

2.4. Applied Linguistics

2.5. The areas of Linguistic Analysis

3. Different approaches to English linguistics: between the traditional and the avant-garde

3.1. Introduction

3.2. Historical linguistics

3.3. Sociolinguistics and dialectology

3.4. Corpus Linguistics

3.5. Cognitive Linguistics

3.6. Quantitative Linguistics

4. Dealing with creative texts in English: literary and non-literary genres.

4.1. Introduction: the literary canon(s)

4.2. Literary and non-literary discourse

4.3. Literary and non-literary genres

4.3.1. Narrative

4.3.2. Drama

4.3.3. Poetry

4.3.4. Non-fiction

4.4. Some useful resources for the study of English literature

5. Different approaches to literature in English: between the traditional and the avant-garde

5.1. Introduction: literary criticism before the 20th century

5.2. Approaches to literariness mainly dealing with the origin (author and context of creation)

5.3.  Approaches to literariness mainly dealing with the product (the text)

5.4. Approaches to literariness mainly dealing with the goal (readers and context of reception)

5.5. Conclusion

6. English applied linguistics in the 21st century: the language, its users and the new international panorama

Students will be asked to read and work on the material in the virtual platform, reading it critically and doing the activities included.

There will also be two forums for debate (one for language and linguistics, one for literary and cultural studies), dealing with critical issues, where the students will be asked to participate in both of these forums.

Finally, the students will have to complete a summary of contents and an essay. At the student's choice, one must deal with English language and linguistics and the other with literary and cultural studies.

Students with special educational needs should contact the Student Attention Service (Servicio de Atención y Ayudas al Estudiante) in order to receive the appropriate academic support

To assess this subject, we will use two basic instruments:

1. Completion and delivery of a summary (20%) and an essay (50%), one on an issue in descriptive English linguistics and one on literary and cultural English studies.

2. Participation in both forums of debate during the teaching period for the subject (30%).

If the students have to resit the subject, they may just be assessed through the essay (70% of the global mark) and the summary (30%).