The course aims to provide the basic concepts of the study of language in the field of cognitive sciences. Specifically, the different theoretical hypotheses that have focused on the innate or learned nature of language will be analyzed.
At the end of the course the student:
- will acquire the basic concepts of the theoretical models of language proposed in the field of cognitive sciences.
- Will be able to distinguish the theses advanced by the authors from the arguments used to support such theses, and will be able to provide a correct reconstruction of these arguments
At the end of the course the student:
- will acquire the basic concepts of the theoretical models of language proposed in the field of cognitive sciences.
- Will be able to distinguish the theses advanced by the authors from the arguments used to support such theses, and will be able to provide a correct reconstruction of these arguments
Canali
teacher profile teaching materials
The course will be organized into the following main topics:
- Nature vs. nurture. Introduction to the nature of the human mind
- The faculty of language within the innatist theory: Universal Grammar
- Universal Grammar and theory of evolution
- Language without faculty: culturalist approaches
- Modularity, flexibility, evolution
- Graffi G. (2008). Che cos'è la grammatica generativa. Carocci, Roma [chapters I, II, III].
Programme
The course deals with a deep reflection on a specific aspect of human communicative capacities - the faculty of language - by analyzing the various hypotheses on the topic, mainly in the field of cognitive sciences.The course will be organized into the following main topics:
- Nature vs. nurture. Introduction to the nature of the human mind
- The faculty of language within the innatist theory: Universal Grammar
- Universal Grammar and theory of evolution
- Language without faculty: culturalist approaches
- Modularity, flexibility, evolution
Core Documentation
- Ferretti F. (2015). La facoltà di linguaggio. Determinanti biologiche e variabilità culturale. Carocci, Roma.- Graffi G. (2008). Che cos'è la grammatica generativa. Carocci, Roma [chapters I, II, III].
Reference Bibliography
- Ferretti F. (2015). La facoltà di linguaggio. Determinanti biologiche e variabilità culturale. Carocci, Roma. - Graffi G. (2008). Che cos'è la grammatica generativa. Carocci, Roma.Type of delivery of the course
Courses are both in presence and remotely on TeamsAttendance
Attendance at lessons is not mandatoryType of evaluation
The exam will be in the written modality, asking students to answer both open and multiple choice questions teacher profile teaching materials
Ferretti, Francesco. La facoltà di linguaggio: determinanti biologiche e variabilità culturale. Carocci editore, 2015.
Programme
Il corso si propone di introdurre elementi della teoria evoluzionistica e i suoi cambiamenti nel tempo (dall’opposizione del lamarkismo/darwinismo alle sintesi moderna/estesa dell’evoluzione); di discutere il modo con cui le teorie dell’evoluzione hanno illuminato o al contrario reso problematiche le teorie sull’origine del linguaggio; di approfondire gli approcci cognitivisti, comparativi e culturalisti al linguaggio e ai suoi elementi costitutivi; di analizzare i concetti di modulo, intelligenza specifica (culturale), intelligenza generale e di rappresentazione mentale; il ruolo della rappresentazione della temporalità nel pensiero e nel linguaggio negli umani e altri animali.Core Documentation
Tramacere, Antonella. Introduzione alle psicologie evoluzionistiche. L'origine della mente umana tra scienza e filosofia. Clueb, 2022.Ferretti, Francesco. La facoltà di linguaggio: determinanti biologiche e variabilità culturale. Carocci editore, 2015.
Type of evaluation
The examination will be held in presence, in written form. Attending students will be able to take two exemptions during the course: the first will be held on 11 November. The second on 16 December. The final grade will be the average of the two. If you do not accept this grade, you may take the final exam, which will still be held in written form.