The Power of Speech

Uitgebreide vaknaam	The Power of Speech in Ritual and Rhetoric
Leerdoelen	Knowledge of theories about vocal and verbal aspects of ‘speech events’ in which interlocutors try to influence each other’s mood, mental state, actions, and behaviour, including rhetoric, magic and ritual talk; the ability to critically reflect upon these speech events and theories in written text and talk; improved control of expressive (vocal) skills.
Omschrijving	In this course we approach oratory (speeches, preachings) and ritual talk (in magic, healing and exorcism rituals) as 'speech events' in which interlocutors, through their vocal and verbal behaviour, try to affect each others’ mood and mental state, influence each others’ actions and behaviour, or bring about changes in their environment. Starting point of our explorations is Steven Mithen’s ‘Hmmmmm’ hypothesis (The Singing Neanderthals). This hypothesis proposes that proto-language was holistic (not composed of segmented units), manipulative (influencing emotional states and behaviour, rather than being primarily referential), multimodal (using both sound and movement), musical (temporally controlled, rhythmic, and melodic), and mimetic (utilizing sound symbolism and gesture). Drawing on the insights of ethnographers and scholars of language evolution, rhetoric, magic, ritual and religious language use we study several of their manifestations and (fictional) representations from the past and the present, and their analogies in animal behaviour. Part of the course is a workshop in vocal expression, in which you explore your own voice and learn to control its expressive features.
Uren per week	4
Onderwijsvorm	werkcollege
Toetsvorm	schriftelijk tentamen, schriftelijke opdracht(en)
Vaksoort	bachelor
Coördinator	prof. dr. B.P. van Heusden
Docent(en)	dr. F.L. Kramer
Verplichte literatuur	Titel Auteur ISBN Prijs A selection of chapters of Steven Mithen’s (2005), The Singing Neanderthals. The Origin of Music, Language, Mind, and Body. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. Additional reading materials will be made available during the course.
Entreevoorwaarden	Completed first year of study (propedeuse) and completed first part of the minor Culture and Cognition. Good control of English (speaking, reading and writing).
Opmerkingen
Opgenomen in	Opleiding Jaar Periode Type Course units for exchange students 3 semester I b adv Minor Culture and Cognition 3 semester I b verplicht