Topic outline

  • About the Course: General Information

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    Welcome to...

    the course room of the EC2U-Online Course "Research Methodology in European Modern Languages and Literatures" (summer term 2026).
    Here you will find general and current information about the course as well as accompanying material and documentation.


    Timetable:

    ▪        Monday, 11-13 CET (France, Germany, Italy, Spain), 10-12 WET (Portugal), 12-14 EET (Finland, Romania), cum tempore

    ▪        Thursday, 15-17 CET (France, Germany, Italy, Spain),  14-16 WET (Portugal), 16-18 EET (Finland, Romania), cum tempore

    Please note that the course follows the academic quarter (cum tempore) practice, meaning that a session will not start punctually on the hour but 15 minutes later.


    Access Information:

    You will find the access information directly in the respective "session" and they will be sent to you via e-mail in advance. 

    For this reason, please consult this course room and information in the respective sessions here on Glocal Campus regularly. In case of doubt, please contact the main coordinator or the contact person of the respective university:

    Language:

    • English
    • Presentation of work/evaluation in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian, German, Romanian

    Character:

    • Compulsory

    ECTS:

    • 10

    Contact Person at Each University:


    Content:

    This internationally oriented online course will take a closer look at multidisciplinary approaches to various research methodologies in modern European languages and literatures. Drawing especially on linguistic, literary, but on cultural studies approaches as well, we will obtain an overview of different perspectives on research methodologies in European modern languages and literatures with the aim of developing a holistic understanding of the topic. Different sessions will also include different methods of analysis that allow the interpretation of linguistic and literary texts. Eventually, the course covers theoretical and practical knowledge for the contrastive and comparative research into European languages, literatures, cultures and societies.


    Learning Objectives:

    Students will...

    • acquire advanced knowledge of research methodology in contact linguistics and in the study of European literatures.
    • acquire the ability to locate and manage specialised bibliographic sources on contact linguistics, comparative literatures,  interculturality, intertextuality and intercultural communication, knowing how to locate and manage on- and offline documentary collections and applying information and communication technologies to the field of specialised philological research.
    • develop the ability to apply the appropriate scientific methodology to cover the different types of linguistic,  literary and cultural studies.
    • acquire advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of the different situations of contact between European languages, literatures and cultures, also using information technology mechanisms for this purpose.
    • acquire advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of the different contact situations between European societies, also using information technology mechanisms for this purpose.
    • be provided with an in-depth knowledge of the cultural elements of European nations and develop their capacity for intercultural analysis, enabling them to acquire the intercultural competences necessary to work in international and multilingual environments and self-analysis in professional situations in order to improve their practice. 
    • acquire the necessary skills to carry out original research work in one of the philological fields covered by the Master's degree

    Completion Requirements:

    • Attendance required in at least 20 sessions
    • Active participation
    • Final paper of 10 pages

    How to Use This Course Room...

    • This course room accompanies the online course "Research Methodology in Modern European Languages and Literatures". It is divided in 27 sections. Each section corresponds to a session. Each section provides you with all the relevant information for each session such as the description of the content, literature or learning material.
    • Every lecturer/university will manage their own sessions. The content will only be visible when the respective lecturer/university opens the session. This might differ from session to session.
    • In the general Forum which we invite you to consult on a regular bases, you will find the latest news or updates about the course. 
    • For general information regarding the course, please contact the local contact person of your home university. 
    • For any questions regarding a specific session, please consult the local contact person (see above) of the respective university or the respective lecturer.
    • For questions regarding grading or examination, please contact the local contact person and the contact person of your home university.

  • Session 1 (Thursday, 22.01.2026): Introduction: Course Overview, Presentation, Assessment Guidelines, etc. (Thomas Schmidtgall, Jena)

    This first introductory session provides an overview of the course. Organisational aspects (schedule, examination/assessment procedures, attendance, etc.) are explained and an overview of the topics is provided. Finally, participants are given time and space for questions.

  • Session 2 (Monday, 26.01.2026): "Elementary ideas for new researchers. Gramsci and the concept of hegemony" (Mattia Bianchi, Salamanca)

    Link for the session:

    meet.google.com/rqk-ybkk-oyu


  • Session 3 (Thursday, 29.01.2026): "Truth, science and ideology: the “illusion” of objectivity in research. Gadamer’s hermeneutics: intersubjectivity as a method." (Mattia Bianchi, Salamanca)

    Link for the session:

    https://meet.google.com/vnu-hheq-uzv


  • Session 4 (Monday, 02.02.2026): "Mixed methods research in Applied Linguistics and its pragmatic foundation" (Miley Guimarães, Salamanca)

    • URL icon
      Session 4: Google Meet [link] URL

    • This session frames research as a systematic search for answers and briefly outlines quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods approaches in applied linguistics. It introduces experimental, ethnographic, and case‑study traditions while stressing that qualitative and quantitative methods are not strict opposites but points on a continuum. Mixed methods research is presented here as a pragmatic, purpose‑driven integration of both traditions to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of complex linguistic and educational phenomena. Through varied combination designs, the session shows how QUAL and QUAN can inform, complement, and enrich each other, always guided by the research question.

      REFERENCES

      Angouri, J. (2018). Quantitative, Qualitative, Mixed or Holistic Research? Combining Methods in Linguistic Research. In L. Litosseliti (Ed), Research methods in linguistics. 2nd ed. (pp. 35–55). Bloomsbury Academic.

      Casanave, C. P. (2010). Case Studies. In B. Paltridge, & A. Phakiti (Eds.), Continuum companion to research methods in applied linguistics (pp. 66–79). Continuum.

      Dörnyei, Z. (2007). Research methods in applied linguistics: quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methodologies. Oxford University Press.

      Duff, P. A. (2018). Case Study Research in Applied Linguistics. In L. Litosseliti (Ed), Research methods in linguistics. 2nd ed.  (pp. 305–330). Bloomsbury Academic.

      Gass, S. (2010). Experimental Research. In B. Paltridge, & A. Phakiti (Eds.), Continuum companion to research methods in applied linguistics (pp. 7–21). Continuum.

      Starfield, S. (2010). Ethnographies. In B. Paltridge, & A. Phakiti (Eds.), Continuum companion to research methods in applied linguistics (pp. 50–65). Continuum.

      Sunderland, J. (2018). Research Questions in Linguistics. In L. Litosseliti (Ed), Research methods in linguistics. 2nd ed. (pp. 13–34). Bloomsbury Academic.


  • Session 5 (Thursday, 05.02.2026): "(Critical) Applied Linguistics and the intersection between language research and social justice" (Miley Guimarães, Salamanca)

    • URL icon
      Session 5: Google Meet [link] URL

    • Critical perspectives in applied linguistics encourage new researchers to view language as deeply connected to power, ideology and social inequality.  This approach encourages students to question taken‑for‑granted assumptions, recognize that research is never neutral, besides making them reflect on their own positionality. It examines how institutions shape language use and how research reporting itself constructs particular narratives. Here we discuss its attempt to promote socially responsible inquiry aimed at understanding and potentially transforming conditions of social inequality.

      REFERENCES

      Canagarajah, A. S. (2016). From Critical Research Practice to Critical Research Reporting. Counterpoints (New York, N.Y.), 433, 214-220.

      Pennycook, A. (2001). Critical Applied Linguistics: A critical introduction (1st ed.). Routledge. 10.4324/9781410600790

      Pennycook, A. (2021). Critical applied linguistics: A critical re-introduction (Second edition ed.). Routledge Taylor & Francis Group. 10.4324/9781003090571

      Rajagopalan, K. (2003). Por uma linguística crítica: linguagem, identidade e a questão ética. Parábola Editorial.

      Talmy, S. (2010). Critical Research in Applied Linguistics. In B. Paltridge, & A. Phakiti (Eds.), Continuum companion to research methods in applied linguistics (pp. 127–142). Continuum.


  • Session 6 (Monday, 09.02.2026): "Variation and use of English in multilingual/multicultural societies I" (Silvia Monti, Pavia)

    • Video Conference Access information:

      Enter Zoom Meeting
      https://unipv-it.zoom.us/j/89284082239?pwd=eG1RUWFYTm5OeEYyR3dNWGxtMlBhQT09

      Meeting ID: 892 8408 2239
      Access Code: 648179

      The  course  aims at illustrating the main dimensions of variation, i.e. social, geographical, situational, in the use of contemporary English in everyday speech patterns in multicultural/multilingual contexts of interaction (increasingly represented also in multilingual/multicultural audiovisual products belonging to different film genres) where:

      ◦       such language alternation phenomena as code-switching and code-mixing stand out both as key conversational practices in marking the speakers’ ethnolinguistic identity and as crucial vehicles of intercultural/interlinguistic mediation;

      ◦       new hybrid varieties of English, often resulting from language contact, emerge, and

      ◦   linguistic identities are constantly open to renegotiation, reconstruction and reinterpretation through language use.

       

      Bibliography

      Culpeper J., Kerswill P., Wodak R., McEnery T., Katamba F. (eds.) (2018) English Language. Description, Variation and Context (2nd Ed.), London: Palgrave  (Chapters 11, 17, 19, 20, 21).

      The course handouts will be uploaded to the website at the end of the lectures.


  • Session 7 (Thursday, 12.02.2026): "Variation and use of English in multilingual/multicultural societies (II)" (Silvia Monti, Pavia)

    • Enter Zoom Meeting
      https://unipv-it.zoom.us/j/89284082239?pwd=eG1RUWFYTm5OeEYyR3dNWGxtMlBhQT09

      Meeting ID: 892 8408 2239
      Access Code: 648179

      The  course  aims at illustrating the main dimensions of variation, i.e. social, geographical, situational, in the use of contemporary English in everyday speech patterns in multicultural/multilingual contexts of interaction (increasingly represented also in multilingual/multicultural audiovisual products belonging to different film genres) where:

      ◦       such language alternation phenomena as code-switching and code-mixing stand out both as key conversational practices in marking the speakers’ ethnolinguistic identity and as crucial vehicles of intercultural/interlinguistic mediation;

      ◦       new hybrid varieties of English, often resulting from language contact, emerge, and

      ◦   linguistic identities are constantly open to renegotiation, reconstruction and reinterpretation through language use.

       

      Bibliography

      Culpeper J., Kerswill P., Wodak R., McEnery T., Katamba F. (eds.) (2018) English Language. Description, Variation and Context (2nd Ed.), London: Palgrave  (Chapters 11, 17, 19, 20, 21).


  • Session 8(Monday, 16.02.2026): "Variation and use of English in multilingual/multicultural societies (III) " (Silvia Monti, Pavia)

    • Video Conference Access information:


      Enter Zoom Meeting
      https://unipv-it.zoom.us/j/89284082239?pwd=eG1RUWFYTm5OeEYyR3dNWGxtMlBhQT09

      Meeting ID: 892 8408 2239
      Access Code: 648179

      The  course  aims at illustrating the main dimensions of variation, i.e. social, geographical, situational, in the use of contemporary English in everyday speech patterns in multicultural/multilingual contexts of interaction (increasingly represented also in multilingual/multicultural audiovisual products belonging to different film genres) where:

      ◦       such language alternation phenomena as code-switching and code-mixing stand out both as key conversational practices in marking the speakers’ ethnolinguistic identity and as crucial vehicles of intercultural/interlinguistic mediation;

      ◦       new hybrid varieties of English, often resulting from language contact, emerge, and

      ◦   linguistic identities are constantly open to renegotiation, reconstruction and reinterpretation through language use.

       

      Bibliography

      Culpeper J., Kerswill P., Wodak R., McEnery T., Katamba F. (eds.) (2018) English Language. Description, Variation and Context (2nd Ed.), London: Palgrave  (Chapters 11, 17, 19, 20, 21).


  • Session 9 (Thursday, 19.02.2026): "Variation and use of English in multilingual/multicultural societies (IV) " (Silvia Monti, Pavia)

    • Video Conference Access information:


      Enter Zoom Meeting
      https://unipv-it.zoom.us/j/89284082239?pwd=eG1RUWFYTm5OeEYyR3dNWGxtMlBhQT09

      Meeting ID: 892 8408 2239
      Access Code: 648179

      The  course  aims at illustrating the main dimensions of variation, i.e. social, geographical, situational, in the use of contemporary English in everyday speech patterns in multicultural/multilingual contexts of interaction (increasingly represented also in multilingual/multicultural audiovisual products belonging to different film genres) where:

      ◦       such language alternation phenomena as code-switching and code-mixing stand out both as key conversational practices in marking the speakers’ ethnolinguistic identity and as crucial vehicles of intercultural/interlinguistic mediation;

      ◦       new hybrid varieties of English, often resulting from language contact, emerge, and

      ◦   linguistic identities are constantly open to renegotiation, reconstruction and reinterpretation through language use.

       

      Bibliography

      Culpeper J., Kerswill P., Wodak R., McEnery T., Katamba F. (eds.) (2018) English Language. Description, Variation and Context (2nd Ed.), London: Palgrave  (Chapters 11, 17, 19, 20, 21).


  • EASTER BREAK (Monday, 06.04.2025): - NO LECTURE !!!

  • Session 22 (Thursday, 09.04.2026): "Introduction to Learner Language Analysis: Developmental Sequences in German as a Second Language (I)" (Christine Czinglar, Jena)

  • Session 23 (Monday, 13.04.2026): "Introduction to Learner Language Analysis: Developmental Sequences in German as a Second Language (II)" (Christine Czinglar, Jena)