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Course Syllabus

Bachelor 2023/2024

Research Seminar "Introduction to Metaphor Studies"

Category 'Best Course for Broadening Horizons and Diversity of Knowledge and Skills'
Type: Elective course (Foreign Languages and Intercultural Communication)
Area of studies: Linguistics
Delivered by: School of Foreign Languages
Where: School of Foreign Languages
When: 4 year, 1-3 module
Mode of studies: offline
Open to: students of one campus
Instructors: Alexandra Nagornaya
Language: English
ECTS credits: 4
Contact hours: 40

Course Syllabus

Full Syllabus

Abstract

Metaphor is a highly relevant object of research in contemporary Linguistics. On the one hand, it is the quintessence of figural narration, an indispensable device for creating vivid and aesthetically appealing descriptions. On the other hand, it is the basic mechanism of thought which helps us to structure the flow of experience, find meaning in it and understand the most intricate abstract notions through association with trivial objects. Contemporary scholarship offers a variety of angles from which metaphor is studied. This course primarily relies on the Conceptual Metaphor Theory, developed by G. Lakoff and M. Johnson and further elaborated by W. Croft, D.A. Cruse, R. Gibbs, V. Evans, and other scholars. It also takes into consideration more recent advances in metaphor theory, including the Deliberate Metaphor Theory (G. Steen), the Discourse Dynamic Approach to metaphor (L. Cameron), the Discourse Metaphor Theory (J. Zinken) the Metaphoric Landscape Theory (J. Lawley and P. Tompkins) and others. At this research seminar the students will study the mechanism of metaphor generation, get an idea of how the most important conceptual metaphors work in the contemporary English language and culture, analyze the role of metaphors in discourse, discuss the phenomenon of metaphorical creativity (Z. Kövecses) and learn to make up novel metaphors, look into ways metaphors serve as means of exteriorizing complex subjective experience, analyze the role of metaphors in humor and their use as euphemisms and dysphemisms. Besides, the students will study alternative formats of metaphor representation: gesture and picture. One of the goals of the course is to teach students how to conduct research into metaphor with the most relevant investigation tools. The course is particularly useful for future Intercultural Communication specialists as it reveals the cultural specificity of metaphors and shows inseparable connections between cultural and language dynamics.
Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

  • the students should be able to differentiate between two approaches to metaphor: stylistic and conceptual
  • the students are supposed to know the mechanism of metaphorical mapping
  • the students are expected to understand the cultural relativity of metaphors
  • the students should understand the difference between orientational, structural and ontological conceptual metaphors
  • the students are supposed to understand the mechanisms of metaphorical creativity and the difference between conventional and creative metaphors
  • the students should be able to detect metaphors in texts and analyze them (identify the source and target domains, analyze the degree of conventionality, discuss the semantic load and pragmatic function of metaphors, etc.)
  • the students are supposed to have an idea of the current advances in the metaphor theory (Deliberate Metaphor Theory, Discourse Metaphor Theory, Metaphoric Landscape Theory, etc.)
  • the students are expected to see metaphor as part of a continuum of conceptual mechanisms
  • the students are expected to analyze visual metaphors
Expected Learning Outcomes

Expected Learning Outcomes

  • The students should understand the mechanism of metaphor formation, be able to detect metaphors and identify their source and target domains
  • The students are expected to know the current trends in metaphor identification and develop a holistic view of conceptual mechanisms
  • The students are supposed to know basic primary metaphors relevant to the Anglophone culture
  • The students should be able to analyze complex metaphors and do the metaphorical landscape modeling
  • The students should understand the concept of cultural relativity as regards metaphor formation and use. They should be able to compare and contrast relevant metaphors from different cultures
  • The students are expected to know the discourse Metaphor Theory and be able to apply its principles when analyzing different types of discourses
  • The students should know the Dynamic Discourse Approach to metaphor and be able to apply it in analyzing the semantics and functions of metaphors in context
  • The students should understand the mechanisms of metaphorical creativity and be able to construe and modify metaphors
Course Contents

Course Contents

  • SECTION 1: The linguistic and conceptual approach to metaphor
  • SECTION 2: Dialectic view of metaphor
  • SECTION 3: Primary metaphors
  • SECTION 4: Complex metaphors
  • SECTION 5: Metaphor and culture
  • SECTION 6: Metaphor in discourse
  • SECTION 7: Metaphor in context
  • SECTION 8: Metaphorical creativity
Assessment Elements

Assessment Elements

  • non-blocking home assignments
    the students create similes and metaphors according to provided instructions
  • non-blocking participation
    the lecturer assesses the students' participation in class activities (discussions, games, metaphorical battles, etc.)
  • non-blocking project 1
    The student prepares a presentation dealing with a particular type of metaphor (visual, olfactory, etc.)
  • non-blocking project 2
Interim Assessment

Interim Assessment

  • 2023/2024 3rd module
    0.25 * home assignments + 0.25 * participation + 0.25 * project 1 + 0.25 * project 2
Bibliography

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

  • Analysing Political Speeches : Rhetoric, Discourse and Metaphor, XXII, 274 p., Charteris-Black, J., 2013
  • Dramas, fields, and metaphors : symbolic action in human society, Turner, V., 1978
  • Metaphor and mills : figurative language in business and economics, , 2012
  • Metaphor and writing : figurative thought in the discourse of written communication, Eubanks, P., 2011
  • Metaphor, Ritchie, L. D., 2013
  • Political metaphor analysis : discourse and scenarios, Musolff, A., 2016
  • Politicians and rhetoric : the persuasive power of metaphor, Charteris-Black, J., 2005
  • Politicians and rhetoric : the persuasive power of metaphor, Charteris-Black, J., 2011
  • Understanding global cultures : metaphorical journeys through 29 nations, clusters of nations, continents, and diversity, Gannon, M. J., 2010
  • Windows to the mind : metaphor, metonymy and conceptual blending, , 2011

Recommended Additional Bibliography

  • Scylla : myth, metaphor, paradox, Hopman, M. G., 2012