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
Textbooks for both attending and non-attending students:
- Ferretti F. (2015). La facoltà di linguaggio. Determinanti biologiche e variabilità culturale. Carocci, Roma.
- Chap. I, II, III of Graffi G. (2008). Che cos'è la grammatica generativa. Carocci, Roma.
- Chap. I, II, III of Graffi G. (2008). Che cos'è la grammatica generativa. Carocci, Roma.
Programme
The course proposes 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
Textbooks for both attending and non-attending students:
- Ferretti F. (2015). La facoltà di linguaggio. Determinanti biologiche e variabilità culturale. Carocci, Roma.
- Chap. I, II, III of Graffi G. (2008). Che cos'è la grammatica generativa. Carocci, Roma.
Core Documentation
- Ferretti F. (2015). La facoltà di linguaggio. Determinanti biologiche e variabilità culturale. Carocci, Roma.- Chap. I, II, III of Graffi G. (2008). Che cos'è la grammatica generativa. Carocci, Roma.
Reference Bibliography
- Ferretti F. (2015). La facoltà di linguaggio. Determinanti biologiche e variabilità culturale. Carocci, Roma. - Chap. I, II, III of Graffi G. (2008). Che cos'è la grammatica generativa. Carocci, Roma.Attendance
Attendance at lessons is not mandatory.Type of evaluation
The exam will be in the written modality, asking students to answer both open and multiple choice questions. teacher profile teaching materials
Understanding what it means to be able to communicate, and becoming familiar with major theories of language and its cognitive and social foundations, is essential for critically analyzing how the human mind works and how communication operates across different cultures.
Excerpt from Tramacere, Antonella. Introduzione alle psicologie evoluzionistiche. L'origine della mente umana tra scienza e filosofia. Clueb, 2022.
Programme
- The course aims to introduce some of the fundamental theories of language and communication, with particular attention to the psychological and cognitive requirements for the acquisition, comprehension, and production of language. It will also explore the main approaches to language — cognitive, comparative, and cultural — through an analysis of key concepts such as modularity, specific intelligence (especially cultural), general intelligence, and mental representation. Finally, the course will examine the definitions and roles of several psychological capacities that are crucial to the development and evolution of language, including empathy, theory of mind, imitation, and non-verbal communication.Understanding what it means to be able to communicate, and becoming familiar with major theories of language and its cognitive and social foundations, is essential for critically analyzing how the human mind works and how communication operates across different cultures.
Core Documentation
Ferretti, Francesco. La facoltà di linguaggio: determinanti biologiche e variabilità culturale. Carocci editore, 2015.Excerpt from Tramacere, Antonella. Introduzione alle psicologie evoluzionistiche. L'origine della mente umana tra scienza e filosofia. Clueb, 2022.
Attendance
Students are strongly encouraged to attend classes. Those who, for any reason, are unable to attend will not be allowed to take the in-course written assessments. Non-attending students may take the final written exam during the regular examination period. Students who wish to take the exam in oral form must contact the instructor and provide a reasoned request.Type of evaluation
The exam will be written and will consist of 21 multiple-choice questions, each with only one correct answer to be marked with a cross. Each correct answer is worth 1 point. In addition, there will be one open-ended question worth up to 10 points. The maximum possible score is 31 (corresponding to 30 cum laude).