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79354-01 - Lecture: Historical Pragmatics (2 CP)
| Semester | fall semester 2026 |
| Course frequency | Once only |
| Lecturers | Andreas Jucker (andreas.jucker@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | Pragmatics studies the different ways in which people use language to interact with each other, and historical pragmatics extends this into a historical dimension. How did speakers issue polite requests at the time of Shakespeare, for instance, and how did they decide to use "ye" or "thou" to address their interlocutors? We will explore histories of speech acts (e.g. requests, apologies or insults), terms of address (ye versus thou), discourse markers (well, oh, marry, etc.) and so on from Old and Middle English right up to Present-day English. A special focus will be given to the theoretical frameworks and the necessary research tools for such investigations. |
| Learning objectives | Students should be able to discuss relevant aspects of theory and methodology in the investigation of the use of English in a historical context (as presented in this lecture). |
| Bibliography | Lecture slides and selected readings will be made available in ADAM. |
| Comments | This course can be followed without any prior knowledge in diachronic linguistics and is open to all students. |
| Weblink | ADAM |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | Online, mandatory |
| Course auditors welcome |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Monday | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 14.09.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Monday 21.09.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Monday 28.09.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Monday 05.10.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Monday 12.10.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Monday 19.10.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Monday 26.10.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Monday 02.11.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Monday 09.11.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Monday 16.11.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Monday 23.11.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Monday 30.11.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Monday 07.12.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Monday 14.12.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Modules |
Modul: English Linguistics (Master's degree subject: English) Module: Advanced English Linguistics (Bachelor's degree subject: English) Module: Interphilology: Linguistics BA (Bachelor's degree subject: English) Module: Interphilology: Linguistics BA (Bachelor's degree subject: German Language and Literature) Module: Interphilology: Linguistics BA (Bachelor's degree subject: French Language and Literature) Module: Interphilology: Linguistics BA (Bachelor's degree subject: Spanish Language and Literature) Module: Interphilology: Linguistics BA (Bachelor's degree subject: Italian Language and Literature (Start of studies before 01.08.2026)) Module: Interphilology: Linguistics BA (Bachelor's degree subject: Nordic Philology) Module: Interphilology: Linguistics BA (Bachelor's degree subject: Italian Language and Literature) Module: Interphilology: Linguistics BA (Bachelor's Studies - Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences) Module: Interphilology: Linguistics MA (Master's degree subject: Slavic Studies) Module: Interphilology: Linguistics MA (Master's degree subject: English) Module: Interphilology: Linguistics MA (Master's degree subject: German Language and Literature) Module: Interphilology: Linguistics MA (Master's degree subject: French Language and Literature) Module: Interphilology: Linguistics MA (Master's degree subject: Spanish Language and Literature) Module: Interphilology: Linguistics MA (Master's degree subject: Italian Language and Literature) Module: Interphilology: Linguistics MA (Master's degree subject: Latin Philology) Module: Interphilology: Linguistics MA (Master's Studies - Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences) Module: Language as Process (Master's degree program: Language and Communication) Module: Research and Extension (Master's degree program: Language and Communication) |
| Assessment format | record of achievement |
| Assessment details | Written exam (90 min.) |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | one repetition, repetition counts |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | no repetition |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, studadmin-philhist@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Fachbereich Englische Sprach- und Literaturwissenschaft |