• Oswald Steve

This proseminar is devoted to the analysis of argumentative discourse. It will study how language users justify their claims by resorting to argumentative structures. The programme of the proseminar is articulated around three main lines: (i) a general introduction to the vast field of argumentation studies (ii) an overview of specific argumentative patterns, schemes and structures, and (iii) the presentation of methods for practical analysis and reconstruction of argumentative discourse. The coursework is designed to show that argumentative complexity can be analysed with clear methods and precise tools and moreover that linguistic and pragmatic knowledge can assist us in the analysis of the way speakers provide support in favour of their standpoints. Two overarching main questions will be addressed through the proseminar: how can we define acceptable arguments (argument soundness)? what makes arguments rhetorically convincing (argument effectiveness)?

At the end of the proseminar, students should:

• be familiar with the main topics of research in mainstream argumentation theory
• be able to perform detailed analysis and reconstruction of argumentative discourse

The list of bibliographical references will be given on the first day of the proseminar and posted on Moodle.