Diploma Seminar 340-AS1-3SEMD4
Profile of studies: general academic
Form of studies: full-time
Type of course: compulsory, within group 10 – Bachelor’s thesis seminar
Field: Humanities
Discipline: Linguistics
Year/Semester: Year III, semesters V and VI
Prerequisites: completion of the second year of studies
Number of contact hours: 60 hours, Bachelor’s thesis seminar
Teaching methods: lecture-discussion format; academic discussion; student presentation or multimedia report on the progress and results of their research (e.g. compiled bibliography, research material, conclusions)
ECTS credits: 21
Student workload balance:
Participation in the seminar: 60 hours
Consultations with the thesis supervisor: 40 hours
Preparation for the seminar and development of subsequent parts of the thesis: 425 hours
Quantitative indicators:
Student workload involving direct contact with the academic teacher: 100 hours, corresponding to 4 ECTS credits
Student workload not requiring direct contact with the academic teacher: 425 hours, corresponding to 17 ECTS credits
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Term 2024:
The seminar focuses on an English-speaking media discourse (Social media, video games, television, podcasts, books, websites, etc.). Proposed topics should revolve around identity creation and negotiation, metaphorical conceptualization, certain linguistic aspects (especially verbal humor), as well as critical discourse analysis. Students need not to know these elements prior to the seminar -- required material will be covered in the first semester. |
Term 2025:
The Bachelor’s seminar is devoted to the analysis of contemporary online discourse—from social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) to video-sharing sites (YouTube, Twitch) and online forums and communicators (Reddit, Discord). The course explores how language creates and shapes opinions, emotions, and representations of reality in the digital space. Students will become familiar with two key theoretical frameworks: Appraisal Theory (a theory of language evaluation that enables the study of emotions, attitudes, and ways of expressing opinions) and Conceptual Metaphor Theory (a theory explaining how metaphors structure human thought and communication). During the seminar, students will work on both the practical aspects of writing a bachelor’s thesis—topic selection, building a bibliography, analysing research material, and applying academic writing conventions—and the development of critical awareness of language use in new media. Example research areas include: expressions of emotion in online comments, persuasive strategies in influencer communication, metaphors in the discourse of video games, and ecological narratives in social media. No prior specialist knowledge is required, as all key concepts and methods will be introduced and explained during the course. |
Term 2026:
The Bachelor’s seminar is devoted to the analysis of contemporary online discourse—from social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) to video-sharing sites (YouTube, Twitch) and online forums and communicators (Reddit, Discord). The course explores how language creates and shapes opinions, emotions, and representations of reality in the digital space. Students will become familiar with two key theoretical frameworks: Appraisal Theory (a theory of language evaluation that enables the study of emotions, attitudes, and ways of expressing opinions) and Conceptual Metaphor Theory (a theory explaining how metaphors structure human thought and communication). During the seminar, students will work on both the practical aspects of writing a bachelor’s thesis—topic selection, building a bibliography, analysing research material, and applying academic writing conventions—and the development of critical awareness of language use in new media. Example research areas include: expressions of emotion in online comments, persuasive strategies in influencer communication, metaphors in the discourse of video games, and ecological narratives in social media. No prior specialist knowledge is required, as all key concepts and methods will be introduced and explained during the course. |
Course coordinators
Type of course
Term 2024: obligatory courses | Term 2025: obligatory courses | General: obligatory courses B.Sc. seminars | Term 2026: obligatory courses |
Mode
Learning outcomes
The graduate will learn and understand:
KP6_WG1 linguistic phenomena, processes, and systems as well as theories explaining their interdependence
KP6_WG2 phenomena and processes related to teaching and learning languages as well as theories explaining their interdependence
KP6_WG3 literary works, phenomena and processes as well as theories explaining their cultural background and their interdependence
KP6_WG4 general terminology and basic methodological tools concerning linguistics
KP6_WG5 general terminology and basic methodological tools concerning theories on teaching and learning languages
KP6_WG7 basic translation-related terms as well as methods and strategies of translating
KP6_WG6 methods of analyzing and interpreting texts of culture of a given language area in the context of selected theories in linguistics
KP6_WG8 methods of analyzing and interpreting texts in the context of selected theories in literary studies
KP6_WG9 general terminology employed in the description of cultural phenomena significant for language analysis and the analysis of the process of communication
KP6_WG10 general terminology employed in the description of cultural phenomena significant for analyzing literary texts of a given language area
KP6_WG11 historical and cultural conditioning of a given language area
KP6_WK1 problems and challenges concerning language and communication and their relevance to fundamental dilemmas of modern civilization
KP6_WK2 legal, organizational and ethical conditioning of activities related to a given discipline
KP6_WK3 regulations concerning the protection of industrial property and copyright
The graduate is able to:
KP6_UW1 formulate and solve complex problems by selecting appropriate methods and tools using their knowledge of linguistics and translation studies
KP6_UW2 formulate and solve complex problems by selecting appropriate methods and tools using their knowledge of foreign language learning and teaching
KP6_UW3 carry out a critical analysis and interpret literary texts using philological methods that make it possible to assess the importance of the text in the historical and cultural process
KP6_UW4 carry out a critical analysis and interpret various creations of culture using philological methods that make it possible to assess the importance of the texts in the historical and cultural process
KP6_UW5 analyse typical philosophical problems relevant to the field of the humanities
KP6_UW6 select and implement appropriate methods and tools, including advanced information and communications technology (ICT)
KP6_UW7 properly select sources and information derived from them in the field of linguistics as well as evaluate, critically analyse and synthesize this information
KP6_UK4 participate in debates in a foreign language – present, assess and discuss various opinions and positions
KP6_UO1 plan and organise individual and team work
KP6_UU1 individually plan and implement one's own lifelong learning program
The graduate is prepared to:
KP6_KK1 critically evaluate their knowledge
KP6_KK2 recognise the importance of knowledge in solving cognitive and practical problems
Assessment criteria
examination
Bibliography
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Term 2024:
Adolphs, S., & Knight, D. (Eds.). (2020). The Routledge Handbook of English Language and Digital Humanities (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003031758 |
Term 2025:
Calude, A. S. (2023). The Linguistics of Social Media: An Introduction. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003321873 |
Term 2026:
Calude, A. S. (2023). The Linguistics of Social Media: An Introduction. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003321873 |
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: