Language and Culture
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| ARTFF025 | Foundation Arts | 0 | 20 | Autumn UK |
- Code
- ARTFF025
- School
- Foundation Arts
- Level
- 0
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Autumn UK
Summary
Language is a fundamental aspect of any Arts and Humanities degree, as is the concept of 'culture'. The module will start by exploring what might be meant by the terms 'language' and 'culture' and will go on to explore different theories about how these two concepts are related and influence each other. It will explore the functions and development of language, considering sociological, historical, linguistic and philosophical perspectives, and taking account of spoken, written and other possible forms of language. The ways in which language reflects wider sociocultural power structures will be discussed, along with such themes as communication, interpretation and discourse analysis. The module will also help students to consider and develop their own use of written and spoken language.
Coursework assessments will replace all failed assessment components at the reassessment stage.
Target Students
Available for Foundation students in the Faculty of Arts only
Classes
- One 1-hour workshop each week for 10 weeks
- One 1-hour seminar each week for 10 weeks
- One 2-hour lecture each week for 10 weeks
Assessment
- 40% Coursework 1: One short pre-recorded video
- 60% Coursework 2: Essay of up to 1800 words
Assessed by end of autumn semester
Educational Aims
This module aims to provide students with a good grounding in the study of language and culture that will prepare them for degree level study in the Faculty of Arts. It is designed to help students compare different theories of language and culture, understand how written and oral language reflect social environment and subject position, and consider ways in which language affects culture and culture affects language. It aims to foster a thoughtful and critical approach to the students’ first language, and engagement with cultural issues around language use. It also aims to help students use language - whether written or spoken – carefully and effectively, and in culturally and contextually appropriate ways, particularly in ways appropriate to the context of academic study in the Faculty of Arts.Learning Outcomes
It is expected that by the end of the module, students will be able to:
(Knowledge and understanding)
1. outline key issues involved in the study of language and culture;
2. explain ways in which the study of language and culture is important in a range of contexts, including studying for any degree in the Faculty of Arts and is informed by different disciplines;
(Intellectual skills)
3. analyse different scholarly views on language and culture;
4. reflect critically on their own and others’ use of written and spoken language and experience of culture;.
(Transferable skills)
5. communicate clearly and correctly for the particular context, writing and speaking with honesty and appropriate criticality;
6. develop independent, logical and coherent arguments supported by evidence.