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74314-01 - Seminar: Linguistic Analyses of English Songs (3 CP)
| Semester | spring semester 2025 |
| Course frequency | Irregular |
| Lecturers | Julia Landmann (julia.landmann@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | This seminar offers an in-depth exploration of English songs through the lens of linguistic analysis. Students will investigate not only the linguistic structures such as pronunciation, vocabulary, and semantics revealed by English songs but also delve into the cultural, emotional, and social dimensions that these songs convey. Throughout the course, we will: - Examine the phonological, morphological, and syntactic features of English lyrics. - Explore semantic nuances and how meaning is constructed and conveyed through song. - Discuss the cultural significance of music, examining how songs reflect and influence societal values and norms. - Investigate the emotional impact of music and how linguistic choices shape listeners' experiences. - Analyse social issues and identities as expressed through song lyrics, considering themes such as gender, race, and politics. A unique aspect of this seminar is the opportunity for students to undertake their own small research projects related to the Eurovision Song Contest, which will be held in Basel in 2025. This will involve: - Selecting a song from past or current Eurovision entries. - Conducting a comprehensive linguistic analysis of the chosen song. - Investigating the cultural and social contexts of the song's production and reception. - Presenting findings in both written and oral formats. By the end of the seminar, students will have honed their skills in linguistic analysis and developed a nuanced understanding of the multifaceted roles that songs play in cultural and social life. Please register in services.unibas.ch, the ADAM registration tool (https://adam.unibas.ch/goto_adam_crs_1623802.html). The course combines two teaching formats: (1) two entire days of teaching (9:30-17h) on Mon 10/02 and Thu 13/02 (i.e. in the week before the term starts) and regular 2h sessions on Tuesdays 16-18h until the end of March. As this course starts the week before term officially begins, please sign up as soon as possible. The deadline for signing up in this course is **February 1**. |
| Learning objectives | At the end of this seminar students • have refined their linguistic analysis skills and gained a sophisticated understanding of the complex roles that songs fulfill in cultural and social contexts • can apply theoretical knowledge to empirical data • have gained experience in conducting their own small research studies |
| Bibliography | A comprehensive reading list, as well as selected texts, will be made available on ADAM. |
| Weblink | ADAM |
| Admission requirements | This course is open to students of English who have passed all three BA introductory modules and to MA students of English and MSG Sprache und Kommunikation. |
| Course application | Please register in services.unibas.ch, the ADAM registration tool (https://adam.unibas.ch/goto_adam_crs_1623802.html). The course combines two teaching formats: (1) two entire days of teaching (9h30-17h) on Mon 10/02 and Thu 13/02 (i.e. in the week before the term starts) and regular 2h sessions on Tuesdays 16-18h until the end of March. As this course starts the week before term officially begins, please sign up as soon as possible. The deadline for signing up in this course is **February 1**. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | Online, mandatory |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Tuesday | 16.15-18.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Block | See individual dates | ||
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 10.02.2025 | 09.30-17.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Thursday 13.02.2025 | 09.30-17.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Tuesday 18.02.2025 | 16.15-18.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Tuesday 25.02.2025 | 16.15-18.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Tuesday 04.03.2025 | 16.15-18.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Tuesday 11.03.2025 | 16.15-18.00 | Fasnachstferien |
| Tuesday 18.03.2025 | 16.15-18.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Tuesday 25.03.2025 | 16.15-18.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Modules |
Modul: Advanced English Linguistics (Bachelor's degree subject: English) Modul: English Linguistics (Master's degree subject: English) Modul: Forschungspraxis und Vertiefung (Master's degree program: Language and Communication) Modul: Sprache und Gesellschaft (Master's degree program: Language and Communication) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | active participation, oral presentation and a written assignment. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, studadmin-philhist@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Fachbereich Englische Sprach- und Literaturwissenschaft |