2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

LING3220 Representation, Identity and Control

20 creditsClass Size: 18

Module manager: Dr Bethan Davies
Email: b.l.davies@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Pre-requisite qualifications

Students should have studied at least one for the following modules:

MODL1060 Language: Structure and sound, MODL1401 Discourse, Culture and Identity , LING1100 Language: Meaning and use

This module is mutually exclusive with

LING2370

Representation, Identity and Control

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

The central theme of this module is the interactions between language choice and the power of the text and/or participants. This will be investigated via three avenues: representation of events using language (media language, political language, advertising); control within talk (questions, interruptions, classroom discourse, courtroom discourse); and ideologies of language and identity (age, social class and ethnicity). The emphasis in this module will be on the practical analysis of texts, using the linguistic tools and terminology introduced in the lectures.

Objectives

Throughout this course, the student will be encouraged in their critical awareness of language, and their ability to use the linguistic tools learnt to evaluate particular instances of language use in a variety of different data-types. The aim of this course is to equip students to be more critical consumers of the language that surrounds them.

By the end of this module they should be familiar with:

- Linguistic tools used to manipulate the representation of events, and the creation of a 'common sense' viewpoint
- The distinction between 'power in' and 'power behind' a text
- Linguistic tools used to control other interactants' input to a conversation
- the way in which an individual's use (or perceived use) of language can be used to place them in the 'social order'

The main emphasis of this course will be on the practical analysis of real language in real contexts. Students will be encouraged to find examples of their own, to participate in critical analyses in the classroom, and also start to see the connections between the linguistic tools, linguistic analyses and social analyses.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:

- Provide an in-depth analysis of a text from a critical discourse analytic standpoint, demonstrating a good understanding of the sophisticated linguistic devices and discourse management techniques relevant to the construction of that text
- Critically evaluate the range of linguistic choices available to authors when constructing a text and show how bias can be built into a text by using these techniques
- Show a complex understanding of the issues behind text production and consumption
- Understand the way in which an individual's speaking rights may be affected by the social context that they are in, and why this have greater impacts on certain members of society
- Understand the relationship between language ideological debates and societal constructs of concepts like ethnicity, class and age

Syllabus

This module will consist of a combination of lectures and practical classes/seminars. Its central theme is language and power and, in particular, how linguists can use their technical knowledge to unpack how these power relationships are constructed in different social contexts. These concepts will be used within a model of Critical Discourse Analysis using a predominantly qualitative approach to data.

The first part of the module will focus on the linguistic tools required by the analyst, such as transitivity, modality, implicature, presupposition, reporting verbs, questioning and the use of interruptions. Secondly, we will look at the production and consumption of texts and the impact that can have on the 'power behind the text' as well as the 'power in the text'. Thirdly, language use within particular social contexts will be considered, such as classroom language, courtroom language, interviews and Doctor/Patient discourse. The emphasis here will be on the rights and constraints of the different participants involved. Finally, the focus will shift to ideologies of language use and language users, considering such issues as ethnicity, age, class and the standard language debate.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	15	1.00	15.00
Practical	5	1.00	5.00
Private study hours			180.00
Total Contact hours			20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Students can expect to spend about 5 hours preparing for and consolidating their learning from each lecture session. This will take the form of preparing data and suggested/independent reading. Each seminar will have a task for students to prepare in advance. The time needed will vary according to the particular task, but will take 1-3 hours.
The two assignments will require about 80 hours of independent work. This will include independent reading of the literature and the identification of appropriate texts for analysis alongside the time needed for planning and writing.
The compulsory presentation should involve 8-10 hours of preparation. You need to allow time for the selection and discussion of texts within your group, the preparation of your part of the presentation plus time to assemble the presentation and practise its delivery as a group.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress will be monitored through seminar contributions and participation in whole class teaching.
The formative group presentation is designed to enable students to practise and gain feedback on the format of the second coursework task. [Note that this presentation is obligatory and will result in a mark of 40V if the student does not take part in the group presentation without medical certification.]
Feedback on the first coursework assignment will also be provided prior to the submission of the second assignment.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	3,000 word critical analysis of a text chosen by the student.	70.00
Presentation	Group presentation - 15 minute talk in groups of 3-4.	0.00
Essay	2000 word essay	30.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 02/03/2018 17:22:53

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