Associate Prof. Dr. Rositsa Ishpekova

Lectures: 30

ECTS credits: 3

The aim of the course of lectures in pragmatics is to get the students acquainted
with basic pragmatic issues and categories. Among them are: properties of
everyday language (appropriateness, non-literal or indirect meaning, inference,
indeterminacy, context, relevance, accommodation, reflexivity, misfires), deixis,
Grice’s cooperation principle and implicatures, presupposition and entailment, the
role of context in interpretation (speech situation, speech event, speech act),
politeness phenomena, relevance theory, figurative language (irony, metonymy,
metaphor) and metapragmatic awareness. The goal is to develop skills in correctly
interpreting contextually-determined, subjective and implicit meanings in
monological and dialogical discourse.
The aim of the course of lectures in pragmatics is to get the students acquainted
with basic pragmatic issues and categories. Among them are: properties of
everyday language (appropriateness, non-literal or indirect meaning, inference,
indeterminacy, context, relevance, accommodation, reflexivity, misfires), deixis,
Grice’s cooperation principle and implicatures, presupposition and entailment, the
role of context in interpretation (speech situation, speech event, speech act),
politeness phenomena, relevance theory, figurative language (irony, metonymy,
metaphor) and metapragmatic awareness. The goal is to develop skills in correctly
interpreting contextually-determined, subjective and implicit meanings in
monological and dialogical discourse.

Senior Assistant Prof. Dr. Emilia Slavova

Lectures: 30

Seminars: 30

ECTS: 6

The course Globalization, Multiculturalism, Plurilingualism looks at the phenomenon of globalization, its relation with the English language, the interaction between English and other languages, and the complex relationships between language, culture, society and identity in the contemporary world. The main focus of the course is upon the need to develop cultural awareness and intercultural competence in the context of the study and teaching of English as a means of communication between people from various cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

Before every seminar, students are expected to watch a video lecture or read an article and to be prepared to discuss it with their colleagues. During the semester, they have to present orally two of the assigned texts and videos and to engage their colleagues in a discussion. They also have to write a research project related to one of the topics in the syllabus (10-12 pages), which they have to present in front of their colleagues at the end of the semester.

Grading is based on class attendance and discussions (25%), two oral presentations (25%), and a research project: a 10-12-page research paper (25%), presented before the class (25%).

Senior Assist. Prof. Dr. Jonathan McCreedy

Lectures: 30

ECTS: 3

The aim of this course is to comprehensively introduce the topic of journalism studies to students. The module is grounded and inspired by a series of contemporary secondary texts solely devoted to the theme of evaluating the position and value of journalism in today’s – and yesterday’s –  society. Students will be introduced to the history of journalism: from its origins in 18th century England, in the form of magazines and periodicals (in Addison and Steele’s Tatler and Spectator), through to the experimental age of 20th century American journalism (incorporating “New” Journalism and the blurring of the lines between fiction and reportage, and Hunter S. Thompson’s “Gonzo” journalism). Finally, 21st century concerns regarding the phenomenon of “Fake” News and the strained relationships between the media, the people, and political administrations will be studied together with several critical volumes. We will also be analysing nonfictional texts that correspond with autobiography, travel literature and political pamphleteering.’

Senior Assist. Prof. Dr. Irena Dimova

Lectures: 30

ECTS credits: 3

This course focuses on the relationship between language and gender and explores it through the analysis of different sociolinguistic approaches, methodologies and findings from empirical studies. It traces the development of language and gender research from its earlier stages (e.g. the social dialect studies of the 60s and 70s, variationist sociolinguistics, deficit theory, dominance theory, difference theory) towards its more recent social constructionist shapes. Special emphasis is laid on how these perspectives approach and account for the existence of gender differences in communication, that is, differences in the way women and men use language. Evaluation is based on a presentation of assigned readings and a small-scale survey of spontaneous discourse.

Senior Assist. Prof. Dr. Irena Dimova

Lectures: 30

ECTS credits: 3

This course aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to write an MA thesis. It focuses on the different stages of doing research such as choosing a topic, narrowing it down, building a research archive (working in the library, using electronic resources, doing fieldwork), preparing a working bibliography, extracting information from sources, note-taking, getting ideas from sources and writing an outline, drafting a manuscript, editing and proofreading. The course also looks at the typical features of an MA thesis, its structure and formatting as well as issues related to writing in an academic style, using a citation style, establishing cohesion and coherence. Evaluation is based on the following elements: choosing an MA thesis topic and writing a research proposal.

Senior Assist. Prof. Dr. Irena Dimova

Lectures: 30

Seminars: 30

ECTS credits: 6

This course explores the relationship between language and society by introducing key terminology, objects of study and methods of analysis from the field of sociolinguistics. The topics of discussion include sociolinguistic approaches to language, linguistic variability in different social communities, the impact of social factors on the choice of a linguistic code, the construction of social identity, language attitudes, language variation and change, linguistic varieties and practices in bilingual and multilingual societies, language policy and planning as well as the place of language in education, the media and computer-mediated communication. During the seminars students give presentations of assigned readings, analyze naturally occurring speech and writing, report the results of small-scale sociolinguistic surveys which they conduct and participate in roundtable debates.

This is what some of our former students have said about the Language and Culture MA programme: 

Doing an MA in English Literature was a great adventure. The university course was perfectly designed, providing deep academic knowledge through fascinating lectures, discussions, presentations and activities. On top of that, it was a complete life-changer to me, which gave me an opportunity to switch from the hectic world of business to the rewarding job of high-level teaching. Recently I have been preparing students for C1 and C2 exams at LINGOLO Language School, which wouldn’t have been possible if I hadn’t completed the MA course LANGUAGE AND CULTURE.

At the time when I enrolled in the program, I was an English teacher and my main goal was to improve my English skills and get a degree in English studies. What I got, was so much more! Along with studying the language itself, I gained insight into interesting matters such as gender studies, comparative linguistics, English accents, word-formation, cross-cultural communication. I believe delving into all these topics contributed to my better understanding of processes in modern English language as well as social and cultural processes in the UK and the USA. Most importantly, this MA program set my eyes wide open to acknowledge differences between people and cultures.

Apart from the curriculum, I feel the need to say that the professors in the program are some of the best experts and most dedicated people I have encountered in all my studies. I was particularly impressed by their respectful and caring attitude towards the students and I would like to say a big thank you for what you have been doing. Please keep it up, you are truly inspiring!

Mariya Dineva, still writing her MA thesis

***

After 10 years away from the university, I decided to enroll into the MA program not only to improve my English skills, but to expand my social circle. The program was challenging for me as the gaps I had to fill in were more than I expected, but the feeling was different from my early years at the university. I was not doing it for the marks, bur for myself. The MA program helped me get to know better the English and American culture and gain a new perspective about social trends nowadays. The professors I met there played a key role for all this. They are really very nice, easy to communicate with and very helpful.

Irina Ilieva

***

My affair with the Language and Culture MA Program was love at first sight! Being keen on languages and working in an intercultural environment, I looked at it as a brilliant opportunity to simply deepen my knowledge of the English language without suspecting it would offer me a whole new world of intricate connections, relationships and interdependencies between language, society and culture. I especially appreciated the freedom to choose among a well-balanced blend of linguistic and cultural studies courses, to build a curriculum tailored to my own needs and interests. The courses were comprehensive and along with the diachronic presentation of the key developments in a field, they also introduced the latest trends and research novelties.

Our classes were quite interactive and we were frequently engaged by our professors in lively discussions on contemporary issues and events by utilizing the tools and methods of analysis of the respective area of study such as Pragmatics, Sociolinguistics, Intercultural Communication or Word Formation, for example. In addition, these discussions brought in a practical perspective. It is encouraging to see real life application of one’s newly acquired academic competencies.

Graduating from the Language and Culture MA Program was one of my coolest life-enriching experiences and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in language! In my opinion, this program is a unique product, meeting modern societies’ growing needs for interdisciplinary specialists, critical thinkers and people recognizing and respecting diversity in all of its manifestations.

Ani Hristova

***

Mareva Bunga, an Erasmus+ exchange student from France:

***

Anton Shivachenko, a student from Ukraine:

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nelly Tincheva

Lectures: 30

Seminars: 30

ECTS credits: 6

The course introduces students to the broad field of Discourse Analysis. It aims to streamline and facilitate the (frequently disheartening) process of dealing with academic literature on issues relating to the interconnectedness and interdependence of language, culture and cognition. The course focuses on theoretical, methodological and analytical peculiarities of the major approaches within the realm of DA (e.g. Critical Discourse Analysis, Conversation Analysis, Text Linguistics, Semiotics). The seminars aim to build on students’ previous linguistic knowledge and practical skills in both analyzing and producing various types of discourses. The general approach is learner-centred and involves independent student research. The course is conducted in English.

Dr Nelly Yakimova

30 lectures

3 ECTS

This module will explore the link between language and culture through translation. Some of the key issues in translation theory will be discussed: equivalence, translatability and the role of the translator as a mediator between languages and cultures. Practical examples will be used to illustrate and analyse interlingual and intercultural asymmetries, and translation strategies in English and Bulgarian. Students will be actively engaged in discussions. At the end of the module students will develop their own projects to prepare and run a mock conference related to the cultural aspects of translation.

By the end of the module it is hoped that students will have developed skills for identifying and analysing linguistic and cultural asymmetries between English and Bulgarian; learn translation techniques and strategies for resolving difficulties as a result of linguistic and cultural differences; understand the role of the translator as a mediator between languages and cultures.

Dr Nelly Yakimova

15 lectures

15 seminars

3 ECTS

The aim of this module is to introduce students to media discourse and enhance their experience in two areas:

1. Acquiring skills for understanding and analysing various types of media texts;
2. Developing strategies and techniques to translate media texts from English into Bulgarian and from Bulgarian into English.

The module will look at some of the current issues in the political and social life in a national, European and global context, such as security and foreign policy, environment, education, justice, human rights, healthcare, etc. Students will be engaged in discussions and assigned translation tasks from English into Bulgarian and from Bulgarian into English. The texts will be regularly updated.

By the end of the module it is hoped that students will have developed an understanding of the linguistic and cultural characteristics of media texts, as well as translation strategies and techniques for working in both directions.