Participants will get insight into how political discourse functions.Participants will be able to apply linguistic methods to the analysis of political discourse.

Lecture inputs.Interactive lecture and group work.

This seminar will provide an opportunity to take a closer look at political language. In particular, we will focus on politicians’ use of language as a persuasive means to obtain consensus and reach certain goals. In class, we will analyze how politicians can influence people’s minds through their use of different linguistic strategies. Special emphasis will be put on detecting rhetorical tools in political speeches and on identifying the important roles of metaphors in political discourse. Topics:Oratory, public speaking and political communicationSpeeches as a genre of political discourseTextual arrangement of political speechesPersuasion through rhetoricalappeals: Ethos, Pathos, LogosThe use of rhetorical schemes and tropesThe use of discursive and argumentative strategiesThe significance and relevance of metaphors in political discourseFraming politics: political language, political ideologies and political cultures

Information on relevant literature will be provided in class.

Oral presentation Seminar paper

Research topics related to class contents and selected by the students

evaluation of participation in class activitiesevaluation of oral presentationevaluation of seminar paper