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37996-01 - Lecture: Interpersonal Pragmatics (2 CP)
| Semester | fall semester 2026 |
| Course frequency | Irregular |
| Lecturers | Miriam Locher (miriam.locher@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | Interpersonal Pragmatics represents a research focus within pragmatics that sheds light on the interpersonal and relational aspect of language usage. Inspired by politeness research, this thriving field of research offers ample opportunity to delve into the understanding of human (linguistic) communication. In this course we will study classic theories of politeness research (e.g., Lakoff 1973; Brown and Levinson 1978/1987; Leech 1983) and will see how this field of research has developed in the last decades. Since the study of interpersonal pragmatics does not only include the investigation of interaction that strives for harmonious relations, we will also look at conflictual linguistic behaviour and therefore at impoliteness and rudeness. The role of emotions within interpersonal processes will be a further important research pillar. |
| Learning objectives | At the end of this course, students should be able to discuss the development of politeness research and the more recent study of impoliteness within interpersonal pragmatics; students should be able to form a critical opinion on the current debate within interpersonal pragmatics with respect to the methodological approach(es) best suited to study the relational aspect of language use; students should become aware of the interdisciplinarity of the field and be able to develop their own research questions. |
| Bibliography | A selection of texts and handouts will be made available online in ADAM. |
| Weblink | ADAM |
| Admission requirements | None |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | Online, mandatory |
| Course auditors welcome |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Monday | 16.15-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 117 |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 14.09.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 117 |
| Monday 21.09.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 117 |
| Monday 28.09.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 117 |
| Monday 05.10.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 117 |
| Monday 12.10.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 117 |
| Monday 19.10.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 117 |
| Monday 26.10.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 117 |
| Monday 02.11.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 117 |
| Monday 09.11.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 117 |
| Monday 16.11.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 117 |
| Monday 23.11.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 117 |
| Monday 30.11.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 117 |
| Monday 07.12.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 117 |
| Monday 14.12.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 117 |
| 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 | Regular and active participation, written exam. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | one repetition, repetition counts |
| 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 |