2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

ENGL1160 Language, Text and Context

20 creditsClass Size: 300

School of English

Module manager: Dr Fiona Douglas
Email: f.m.douglas@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2008/09

Pre-requisite qualifications

Grade B at A level in English Language or Literature or equivalent.

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module is designed to introduce you to basic concepts and skills in the study of English language and to explore topical and/or controversial issues to do with English in the world today. We aim to help you develop a critical awareness of the English language as a medium for literary and non-literary texts. What are the features of language that writers can exploit to craft everything from memorable pieces of literature to articles in tabloid newspapers? Why is our speech so different from our writing, and should we worry about it? Does everyone have an accent, and why do people prefer some accents to others? We will also focus on the part played by the historical, social, political and cultural contexts of language: What is English and where did it come from? How many Englishes are there? Why is the language of Chaucer or Shakespeare so different from the language we use today? What's a 'split infinitive' and why do some people care so much about such things? What is Standard English and who decides?

Objectives

The module is designed to introduce students to basic skills and key concepts which are useful as a 'foundation' for their further studies in both English Language and Literature. One important objective is to develop students' critical awareness of the English language as a medium of literature. The module will also emphasise the importance of the social, political and cultural contexts for the study of the English Language.

Learning outcomes
Students will have developed:
- the ability to use written and oral communication effectively;
- the capacity to analyse and critically examine diverse forms of discourse;
- the ability to manage quantities of complex information in a structured and systematic way;
- the capacity for independent thought and judgement;
- critical reasoning;
- research skills, including the retrieval of information, the organisation of material and the evaluation of its importance;
- IT skills;
- efficient time management and organisation skills;
- the ability to learn independently.

Skills outcomes
Skills for effective communication, oral and written.
Capacity to analyse and critically examine diverse forms of discourse.
Ability to acquire quantities of complex information of diverse kinds in a structured and systematic way.
Capacity for independent thought and judgement.
Critical reasoning.
Research skills, including information retrieval skills, the organisation of material, and the evaluation of its importance.
IT skills.
Time management and organisational skills.
Independent learning.

Syllabus

The lectures will include topics such as:
- the study of language;
- English in a world context;
- speech and writing;
- structuring language;
- vocabulary and meaning;
- varieties and variation.

The seminars will include topics such as:
semiotics;
dialect and literature;
sound patterns;
speech in fiction;
'grammaticalness', style and syntax;
word-play;
poetic diction;
metaphor;
political and journalistic language;
'literariness'.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	22	1.00	22.00
Seminar	10	1.00	10.00
Private study hours			168.00
Total Contact hours			32.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Seminar preparation, reading, essay writing. 168 hours.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Contribution to seminars;
1 x 1,500-word unassessed group essay.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	1,500 words	33.30
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		33.30

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)	2 hr	66.70
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		66.70

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: 20/05/2008

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