This course provides a practical look at current research on figurative language at the intersection of psychiatry, psychology, linguistics, and philosophy. The Proverb Test, widely used in psychiatric studies and clinical practice, finds that people with schizophrenia tend to understand figurative expressions such as proverbs, metaphors, and irony literally. This 'concretism' is usually explained by cognitive deficits. We will critically analyze the problematic background assumptions of these psychiatric studies, and guide participants to design and administer alternative tests of language comprehension in small working groups.

The course assumes no prior knowledge, and is open to students of all subjects (natural sciences and humanities) and all stages of study (Bachelor and Master).

Contact: benjamin.wilck@hu-berlin.de / ivan.nenchev@charite.de