Language in Society
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| ENGL2026 | English | 2 | 20 | Spring UK |
- Code
- ENGL2026
- School
- English
- Level
- 2
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Spring UK
Summary
This course provides a broad introduction to sociolinguistic theory, investigating: the role that language has to play in constructing and reflecting cultural identities; theories of language variation across and within communities; the role of the English language in the world, and how discourse works in a variety of contexts (both in terms of interaction and representation). The course introduces both qualitative and quantitative approaches to the study of sociolinguistics, combining theoretical linguistics and practical methodological investigation; the assessment therefore involves a professionally presented report of a small-scale sociolinguistic fieldwork study and an examination of topics covered across the course.
Target Students
Compulsory module for all second-year students on QQ13 English Language and Applied Linguistics 2+2. Optional for second-year students on other SH and JH English programmes, including 2+2 programmes; students participating in exchanges from the School partner institutions; and second or third-year students on the Liberal Arts programme.ENGL1002 Studying Language is a pre-requisite for this module.
Classes
- One 1-hour seminar each week for 11 weeks
- One 2-hour lecture each week for 11 weeks
Assessment
- 100% Coursework: Coursework - 1 x 3000 word essay
Assessed by end of spring semester
Educational Aims
Students who successfully complete this module will have gained:a thorough grounding in the historical development of, and current issues in, sociolinguisticsa wide-ranging knowledge of approaches to and theories of sociolinguistic phenomena the opportunity to engage in their own investigations of these issues skills of practical investigation, data-collection, processing, and ethics the presentation and interpretation of data in a sociolinguistic contextLearning Outcomes
(a) Knowledge and understanding of:
- A range of variationist and interactionist approaches to the study of language in society (A2)
- Key theories and concepts in variationist and interactionist sociolinguistics (A2)
- Key findings and patterns regarding the relationship between language and society (A2)
(b) Intellectual skills
- The ability to understand and interpret sociolinguistic models and their application to specific issues (B3)
- The ability to engage in analytical discussion of sociolinguistic theory and/or data (B2, B4)
- The ability to evaluate different sociolinguistic perspectives (B2)
(c) Professional and practical skills
- The ability to construct and communicate a sustained written analysis of data and/or theory, using appropriate linguistic and theoretical terminology (C1, C3)
- The ability to employ appropriate data collection techniques and/or theoretical positions as appropriate to the specific topic under investigation (C5)
- The ability to evaluate and reflect on the usefulness or a range of perspectives and/or approaches to the study of language and society (C5)
(d) Transferable skills
- The ability to communicate effectively in writing (D2)
- The ability to work independently and in an organised way to produce a sociolinguistic project (D4)
- The ability to synthesise a range of data and/or theoretical perspectives from secondary sources within an essay (D5)