Basic eligibility for university studies and the higher education course English I, 30 credits (en101E/A).

Sociolinguistics - Theories and Methods is for the students to gain insight into language use in society. Students will study how social factors affect and influence linguistic choices. The course has a practical element involving data analysis and research.

In Sociolinguistics - Theories and Methods, the student will gain a critical understanding of language, society and identity. Students will study speakers’ language choices and social conventions. The course involves investigation and analysis of real world texts from different social contexts e.g. gender and ethnicity.

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 society and speakers’ linguistic choices;

3. analyse linguistic features in different types of real world texts; and

4. research language use in society based on social factors.

Learning activities are lectures, seminars, written assignments, self-study of course literature and independent work.

Sociolinguistics - Theories and Methods is examined by oral and a written seminar work (2,5 credits), a mid-term assignment (1 credit), and a final written assignment (4 credits).

The seminars and the mid-term assignment assess learning outcomes 1,2 and 3. The final written assignment assesses learning outcomes 1-4.

The seminars and the mid-term assignment are graded pass/fail. The final written assignment is graded A/U.

In order to achieve a passing grade on the course in its entirety, a passing grade is required for each assessment format.

Evans, B. & Mooney, A. 2015. Language, Society and Power. An Introduction. 4th edition.

Oxon: Routledge (ebook Malmo¨ University library).

Fahnestock, J. 2011. Rhetorical Style. The Uses of Language in Persuasion. Oxford: Oxford UP.

Additional material related to research will be introduced.

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.

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.