Course syllabus autumn 2010
Course syllabus autumn 2010
Title
Global Language – Global Literature
Swedish title
Global Language – Global Literature
Course code
EN232E
Credits
7.5 credits
Grading scale
UV / Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG)
Language of instruction
English
Decision-making body
Faculty of Culture and Society
Syllabus approval date
2010-12-06
Syllabus valid from
2010-09-01
Entry requirements
The special prerequisite for this course, besides basic eligibility for university studies, is fieldeligibility 6: Civics A and English B. Applicants are exempted from the Civics A requirement.
Level
Basic level
No main field.
Progression level
G1N
Progression level in relation to degree requirements
The course can normally be included as a part of a general degree at undergradate level.
Course objectives
This aim of this course is to introduce students to the study of English language and literature in English from a global perspective.
Course contents
This course sets out to illustrate the wide range of ‘Englishes’ used by people across the world to express themselves, questioning whether English can be said to ‘belong’ to any people or peoples. Part history, part human geography and part literary analysis, the course explores and explains examples of how disparate varieties of English give voice – in the form of poetry, prose and song – to people all over the planet.
Learning outcomes
On completion of the course, the student will:
- understand the historical processes that have led to the emergence of English as a global language,
- be able to identify, understand, and discuss contemporary literature that reflects the diversity of English in its globalized, “de-centered” position in the 21st Century,
- be aware of the fundamental social and cultural implications of the globalization of English, and be able to articulate the link between language and identity.
Learning activities
Learning will take place through seminars, group discussion, self-study, and supervised project work.
Assessment
Written examination (Global Language), 2,5 hp
Written examination (Global Literature), 2,5 hp
Written assignment 2,5 hp
Course literature and other study material
Crystal, David. 2005. Stories of English. London: Penguin Books Ltd.
Graddol, David. 2006. English Next. British Council. Available online at:
http://www.britishcouncil.org/learning-research-english-next.pdf
Lehrer, Seth. 2007. Inventing English. A Portable History of the Language. University Presses of California, Columbia and Princeton.
Prescott, Lynda. (Editor). 2008. A World of Difference – An Anthology of Short Stories from Five Continents. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
Course evaluation
Oral, informal evalutation is carried out throughout the course. A formal, written evaluation is carried out at the end of the course and published on the course homepage.