The Language of Propaganda: Linguistic Manipulation and Hate Speech in Russian

The aim of the course is to study manipulative mechanisms of the Russian language with two purposes in mind: to avoid falling under the influence of propaganda, on the one hand, and to learn how to create manipulative texts in Russian, on the other. Russian offers speakers a rich arsenal of means to realize propagandistic aims. Manipulative functions of discourse create a covert, masked layer of linguistic data that is not easily separated from purely informational content. This is why manipulative texts are not so easy to identify or translate. We will consider linguistic means typical of manipulative texts and language signs of different levels that help us interpret the speaker’s intentions. We will discuss hate speech, now used in Russian political communication. Students will listen to lectures, read articles from the Russian media and internet, watch videos on Russian politics and society, discuss these materials, and write compositions. Grades will be based on participation in class discussions, weekly compositions and oral presentations, and a final examination.