Natural history of human communication

Duration

30h Th

Number of credits

Lecturer

Véronique Servais

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

The course is an introduction to the natural history of human communication. First it rapidly present the evolution of communication in the animal kingdom. Then human communication is presented as it has evolved from primatic ancestral forms. The more recent theories about what is specifically human in communication (apart language!) are proposed. The following topics are discussed : the attachment theory; social cognition in dogs, monkeys, apes and children; facial expressions as biologically and culturally bounded; interactional synchrony, mother-baby interaction, empathy, intersubjectiviy. The aim is to indentify what makes human communication and interaction so special and how it opens up to cultural invention.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

Regarding the content : to provide knowledge about the evolution of communication in a broad perspective. The aim of the course is also to insist on non-verbal communication as the fundamental structure of all (verbal or not) exchanges. Regarding more transversal competencies : students are expected to learn to read scientific papers and to write a well argued text on the basis of scientific papers.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

1- To have passed the course "Theories of communication". If not, the student must read :
- Watzlawick P., J.H. Beavin & D. D. Jackson (1972). Une logique de la communication. Paris, Seuil.
- Winkin, Y. (1986-2000). La nouvelle communication. Paris, Seuil.
2/ To be able to read, understand and synthetize a paper in english.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

4 hours of practical exercices in small groups are organized in order to help the students to read and understand the english scientific papers. A "blank" examination is organized and the students may have personnal feed-back for it.

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

The teaching is ex cathedra. The course has a strong visual support (slides and film) that is provided to the students via the MyULg portal. Additional sessions in small groups are provided to read and understand the scientific papers and to be prepare the examination. Teaching is at the second term, 2 hours/week, plus 4h exercices. Location and precise agenda to be determined. See http://cipl82.philo.ulg.ac.be/horaires

Recommended or required readings

The scientific papers that are discussed during the course are published by the Liège University Press. The ppt presentations are posted on MyULg.

Assessment methods and criteria

The examination is a written dissertation discussing a question. Using the scientific papers that have been studied during the courses, the students must write an articulate and well structured text. An optional blank examination is organized at mid-term for students who want to better appreciate what is expected of them.

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Not available

Contacts

Teacher Véronique SERVAIS, chargée de cours Institut des Sciences Humaines et Sociales Bd du Rectorat, Bât B31 Sart Tilman 4000 Liège + 32 4 366 32 08 E-mail v.servais@ulg.ac.be Secrétariat Fass Alexia Mainjot Tél. 04 3662756 Secrétariat ASC Evelyne Libens Tél. 04 366 32 86

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