Duration
30h Th
Number of credits
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
English language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
This course is devoted to the study of meaning in language and society. It is based on an in-depth study of contents related to cognitive semantics and critical discourse analysis (CDA).
The course is divided into two main modules dealing respectively with (i) cognitive linguistics and, more specifically, Conceptual Metaphor Theory (basic concepts, identification, role of metaphors in the construction of our mental universe, analysis of metaphors in political discourse) and (ii) Crititcal Discours Analysis (tenets, methodological and practical considerations).
The course is organized into 13 sessions:
Session 1: Introduction
Session 2: Introduction to Critical Discourse Analysis
Session 3: Sociocognitive approach
Session 4: Discourse-Historical Approach: nomination and predication
Session 5: Conceptual Metaphor Theory (part 1)
Session 6: Conceptual Metaphor Theory (part 2)
Session 7: Conceptual Metaphor Theory (part 3)
Session 8: Conceptual metaphors in political discourse (part 1)
Session 9: Conceptual metaphors in political discourse (part 2)
Session 10: Discourse-Historical Approach: argumentation
Session 11: Using corpora in Critical Discourse Analysis
Session 12: Instructions for writing the term paper
Session 13: Q&A
Each session will include a theoretical introduction and the analysis of one or more case studies.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- understand the role of language in the construction of social phrenomena;
- master the basic concepts of conceptual metaphor theory and critical discourse analysis;
- analyse specialised scientific articles on semantics and discourse analysis;
- apply the theoretical concepts covered in class to the analysis of linguistic or multimodal data;
- write a term paper on topic related to the course's main themes, in accordance with current academic standards;
- present the findings of a term paper orally.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
There are no formal prerequisites, but a strong curiosity, social awareness and interest in the study of language are welcome.
Students are also expected to have a sufficient command of English.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Interactive classroom sessions;
Take-home assignments;
Creating an individual learning portfolio;
Writing a term paper.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Further information:
Weekly sessions of 2 hours.
English will be the main medium of instruction.
Start: Tuesday 23/09/25 (Room A1/3/22)
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
Further information:
The course will based on the following reference books:
- Croft, W. & Cruse, A. (2004). Cognitive Linguistics. Cambridge: CUP.
- Kövecses, Z. (2010). Metaphor: A Practical Introduction. Oxford; Oxford University Press.
- Lakoff, G. & Johnson, M. (1980). Metaphors We Live By.Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.
- Wodak, R. & Meyer, M. (2015). Methods of Critical Discourse Analysis. London: SAGE Publications.
- Žagar, I. (2010). Topoi in Critical Discourse Analysis. Lodz Papers in Pragmatics, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.2478/v10016-010-0002-1
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam AND oral exam
Written work / report
Continuous assessment
Further information:
The evaluation will consist of
(1) the writing and presentation of an original research paper (75%, of which 75% for the paper and 25% for the presentation), deadline: January 4th, 2027;
Research paper presentations will take place during the exam session and will serve as an oral exam.
(2) the creation of an individual learning portfolio (25%), deadline: December 18th, 2026.
Instructions on how to complete these two assignments will be provided during the course (see also eCampus platform).
These conditions apply to both exam sessions.
Documents:
Term paper: instructions
Learning portfolio: instructions
Guidelines regarding the use of AI tools:
When completing homework, students may use AI tools for basic proofreading and corrections, such as improving grammar, vocabulary and syntax.
However, the use of AI to generate, reword or paraphrase full sentences or paragraphs is strictly forbidden. The essay must reflect the student's own thinking, structure and expression. Any misuse of AI will be considered a violation of academic integrity.
Students are allowed to use AI tools when preparing for their oral presentations. However, this use should be limited to gathering information and ideas. Students are expected to verify their sources and ensure the accuracy of any content obtained.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Course content and materials can be found on the Ultra platform
Contacts
Raymond ECHITCHI, Lecturer
Department of modern languages: Linguistics, literature and translation
Place Cockerill 3
bureau: A2/6/39 (6th floor of A2 building)
Tél.: +32 4 3665438
sechitchi@uliege.be
https://my.uliege.be/portail/TR/view2.do?as_codULg=U240391
Office hours on appointment
Julien PERREZ, Full professor
Department of modern languages: Linguistics, literature and translation
Place Cockerill 3
bureau: A2/5/17 (5th floor of A2 building)
Tél.: +32 4 3665837
Julien.Perrez@uliege.be
https://my.uliege.be/portail/TR/view2.do?as_codULg=U214827
Office hours on appointment
Association of one or more MOOCs
Items online
eCampus patform
eCampus platform