Multimodality is a stage of disciplinary development, i.e. one through which many fields naturally pass (Bateman, 2022). Indeed, linguistics is one of those disciplines that have entered into what Bateman calls “multimodal phases.” As observed by this scholar, “those expansions are beneficial for the respective field because they show how principles and explanations uncovered have broader application than originally believed” (p. 4). The term 'language' is extended to include, not just words and sentences, but all forms of symbolic interaction (gesture, sign language, art, architecture, dance, music, etc.). How do we produce and interpret multimodal language? By human brains. This means that for any enterprise that enhances human comprehension and knowledge, what goes on inside individuals’ heads must also be a prime concern.
In this course, we will draw on sights and tools from cognitive science and cognitive psychology to explore the links between multimodal language and cognitive, social and political action. Among the topics we will discuss are multimodal metaphor theory, multimodal blending, multimodal mental models, relevance theory, the discourse-knowledge interface, systems of the human mind, categorization, moral-political reasoning, cognitive grammar, contextualization, discourse (language use) and gender, power abuse and manipulation, and identity construction.

Multimodality is a stage of disciplinary development, i.e. one through which many fields naturally pass (Bateman, 2022). Indeed, linguistics is one of those disciplines that have entered into what Bateman calls “multimodal phases.” As observed by this scholar, “those expansions are beneficial for the respective field because they show how principles and explanations uncovered have broader application than originally believed” (p. 4). The term 'language' is extended to include, not just words and sentences, but all forms of symbolic interaction (gesture, sign language, art, architecture, dance, music, etc.). How do we produce and interpret multimodal language? By human brains. This means that for any enterprise that enhances human comprehension and knowledge, what goes on inside individuals’ heads must also be a prime concern.
In this course, we will draw on sights and tools from cognitive science and cognitive psychology to explore the links between multimodal language and cognitive, social and political action. Among the topics we will discuss are multimodal metaphor theory, multimodal blending, multimodal mental models, relevance theory, the discourse-knowledge interface, systems of the human mind, categorization, moral-political reasoning, cognitive grammar, contextualization, discourse (language use) and gender, power abuse and manipulation, and identity construction.