Course syllabus autumn 2016
Course syllabus autumn 2016
Title
Sociolinguistics - Theories and Methods
Swedish title
Sociolinguistics - Theories and Methods
Course code
EN238L
Credits
7.5 credits
Grading scale
UA / Excellent (A), Very Good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Pass (E) or Fail (U)
Language of instruction
English
Decision-making body
Faculty of Culture and Society
Syllabus approval date
2013-11-12
Syllabus valid from
2015-08-31
Entry requirements
Basic eligibility for university studies and the higher education course English I, 30 credits (en101E/A).
Level
Basic level
No main field.
Progression level
G1F
Progression level in relation to degree requirements
The course can normally be included as a part of a general degree at undergraduate level.
Course objectives
The aim of the course Sociolinguistics - theories and methods is for the students to gain insight into language use in society. Students will learn theories, concepts and methods within the field of sociolinguistics related to social factors that affect and influence linguistic choices. The course has a practical element involving data analysis and students will also write an academic sociolinguistic essay as a final task.
Course contents
In Sociolinguistics - theories and methods the student will gain a critical understanding of how identities are constructed and a critical awareness of the complex relation between language and society. Students will study how and why speakers’ language choices are affected by social conventions. Students will gain an understanding of how speakers adjust their language in accordance to their environment. The course contains investigation and analysis of real world texts from different social contexts as regards various aspects such as gender, age, ethnicity, and regional belonging as well as politics and media.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding:
After completing this course, the student will be able to
1. account for sociolinguistic theories and methods
2. show critical awareness of language use in the society as well as how and why speakers’ linguistic choices are affected by different social contexts
Competence and skills:
After completing this course, the student will be able to
3. analyse linguistic features in different types of real world texts eg from the media and politics and relate them to their social context of use
4. orally problematise sociolinguistic issues
5. discuss another student’s outline and write a short academic essay within the field of sociolinguistics
Judgement and approach:
After completing this course, the student will be able to
6. evaluate variability of language use in society based on social factors such as gender, age, ethnicity, and regional belonging
7. adopt a critical stance to linguistic choices made in specific professional contexts and in everyday use.
Learning activities
The learning activities will include lectures and seminars
Assessment
The course is assessed in three parts. The first part will consist in assessing students’ oral participation in seminar discussions of tasks connected to lectures. The second part will be assessed through an essay outline presentation and peer review.The first part consisting of seminar presentations is awarded 2 higher education credits. The second part consisting of an essay outline presentation and a peer review is awarded 1 higher education credit. The final and third part is assessed through a written essay and is awarded 4,5 higher education credits.
The first part focuses on learning outcomes 1-4 and 6-7. The second part focuses on learning outcome 4 and 5. The third part focuses on learning outcomes 1-3, 5 and 7.
Re-take examinations take place in the same format as the regular examination. In order to achieve a passing grade on the course in its entirety, a passing grade is required for each assessment format. The seminar presentations and the essay outline/peer review are graded pass/fail. The written assignment is graded A/U.
Course literature and other study material
Mooney, A & Evans, B. 2015. Language, Society and Power. An Introduction. 4th edition. Oxon: Routledge.
Additional material related to research methods will be introduced.
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Course evaluation
The course is concluded with an individual course evaluation focusing on the goals of the course. The evaluations are summarized and made available to the students at the completion of the course.
Interim rules
In a case when a course is no longer given, or the contents have been changed essentially, the student has the right to two opportunities during a one year period to be examined according to the course plan which was valid at the time of registration. The exam opportunities are set by the department and it is the student’s responsibility to contact the department to find out how and when the re-examination will take place.