The Power of Metaphor

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/L_NCMACIW021

Course Objective

• describe manifestations of metaphor in different modalities, such as text, image, gesture, and talk, using the appropriate terminology.
• apply metaphor identification procedures correctly, according to the characteristics of each modality.
• explain the relevance of metaphor studies in your own discipline.
• summarize key topics of state-of-the-art research in the field.
• develop a critical attitude towards research in the field.
• consolidate communication skills to present ideas in an oral and written mode.
• collaborate with fellow students from different disciplines in a respectful manner.
• carry out a small research study on metaphor following high scientific standards.

Course Content

Metaphor is pervasive in our language. It is an essential linguistic, conceptual, and communicative tool for journalists and advertisers, text designers and translators, researchers and teachers, doctors and therapists, governments and politicians, or business executives and managers. This course focuses on the manifestations of metaphor in language and images, functions of metaphor (e.g. persuasion, instruction etc.), methods for metaphor analysis, and application of metaphor research to professional settings.

Teaching Methods

2 hours lecture and 2 hours seminar per week.

Method of Assessment

Readings (20%), Data session (30%), Virtual poster presentation (50%). Peer feedback and contributions to the poster: pass/fail Students must receive a passing grade on the virtual poster presentation, a pass for pass/fail components, and an overall average of at least 5.5 in order to pass the course.

Literature

Readings provided on Canvas.

Target Audience

MA Communicatie
- en Informatiewetenschappen / Communication and Information Studies (all specializations)