2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

LING3600 Sociophonetics

20 creditsClass Size: 36

Module manager: Gisela Tome Lourido
Email: g.tomelourido@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Pre-requisites

LING2330

Phonetics

Module replaces

LING3210 Phonetics and Phonology of English

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Sociophonetics is the study of the way in which social factors influence speech patterns. The way we speak in our everyday lives is influenced by a wide range of social factors. Speakers of the same language from different geographical areas may pronounce words differently, and within the same area, speakers from different age and gender groups and social backgrounds may sound different. This module introduces students to the main social variables that condition pronunciation variation in English and other languages. We will discuss a range of sociophonetic studies that provide detailed evidence of how our personal identity, group membership and social context influences the way we speak. Students will be introduced to methodologies used in current research on sociophonetic variation and have a chance to conduct their own sociophonetic investigation.Students are expected to have completed the module LING2330 Phonetics before enrolling on this module.

Objectives

This module aims to:
(1) introduce students to sociophonetic research
(2) introduce methodologies used in sociophonetic research
(3) familiarise students with social variables that are the focus of existing research
(4) develop students' auditory transcription skills
(5) develop students' acoustic analysis skills
(6) develop students' understanding of and critical analysis of sociophonetic research
(7) guide student to conduct an independent sociophonetic project

Learning outcomes
On the completion of this module, student should be able to demonstrate:
(1) an understanding of social variables discussed in sociophonetic research
(2) an awareness of the effects of social variables on the use of phonetic variants
(3) an understanding of the methodology used in sociophonetic research
(4) the ability to provide an auditory and acoustic analysis of speech
(5) the ability to critically evaluate sociophonetic research
(6) the ability to undertake an independent sociophonetic investigation

Skills outcomes
These are covered in Learning Outcomes above.

Syllabus

Lectures will introduce students to the interaction of social variables and pronunciation variants. The following topics may be included in the module: geographical location, age, gender, social status, social networks, ethnicity, speech style, attitudes, identity, ideology, etc. The module will also touch on the perception of phonetic variants and the influence that social variables can have on perception/attitudes to phonetic variants. In seminars, students will practice the auditory and acoustic analysis of phonetic variants with guidance from the module leader. Further analysis practice will be available through resources provided on the VLE or in handouts.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	10	1.00	10.00
Seminar	10	1.00	10.00
Private study hours			180.00
Total Contact hours			20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

5 hours reading for each lecture: 50 hours
3 hours preparation for each seminar: 30 hours
2 hours transcription per week: 20 hours
1 hour acoustic analysis practice per week: 10 hours

Fieldwork Project: 50 hours
Preparation for Exam: 20 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students will be given formative feedback and individual help during seminars. They will receive detailed guidance on how to develop their analysis for the purpose of the final assessed report, and they will be able to test their progress towards the exam using self-study exercises with answers provided through the VLE.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Report	Fieldwork Project – 2,500 words	60.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		60.00

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

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	1 hr 30 mins	40.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		40.00

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: 30/08/2017

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