2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

ENGL2020 English in Space

20 creditsClass Size: 60

School of English

Module manager: Dr Anthea Fraser Gupta
Email: A.F.Gupta@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2008/09

Pre-requisite qualifications

Students wishing to take this module must have passed an introduction to language study in the School of English or another department (such modules include 'Language, Text and Context', 'Foundations of Language Study', 'Language Methodologies and Research Methods', a Level 1 module in Linguistics and Phonetics, or similar modules in other departments in Modern Languages). Students who have an A in English language A-level who wish to do this module should consult the co-ordinator, as should any student who is uncertain whether they meet the pre-requisite requirements.

Please note: This module is restricted to Level 2 and 3 students.

Module replaces

ENGL2016 English in Time and Space

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module is for those who have some background in the study of linguistics. It provides students with a broad knowledge of the major national and international varieties of English, the global uses and functions of English as a lingua franca, and how the language came to spread across the world. It provides an opportunity to examine and evaluate a range of terms and concepts, including those of 'English as a first / second / foreign language', and 'Inner / Outer / Expanding Circles'. It provides insights into mechanisms of language spread (including colonization, imperialism, migration, commerce, slavery and diaspora) and of linguistic contact varieties such as pidgins and creoles. A range of global English text-types such as those of literature, journalism, advertising, the internet, and the media are explored.

Objectives

On completion of this module students should have acquired a broad knowledge of the major international varieties of English, the global uses and functions of English as a lingua franca, and how it came to spread across the world. They will have critically examined and evaluated a range of terms and concepts, including those of 'English as a first / second / foreign language', 'inner circle' and 'outer circle', and 'postcolonialism'. They should understand about types of 'imperialism' (including migration, commerce, slavery and diaspora) and contact varieties such as pidgins and creoles. They should be able to discuss sociolinguistic features of representation in a range of global English texts, e.g. literature, journalism, advertising, the internet and the media.

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

There will be two lectures and one weekly seminar. The first weekly lecture will cover the major varieties of English in a range of places from the British Isles to mainland Europe, North Americas, the Caribbean, South-East Asia, Australasia Pacific, etc.. The second weekly lecture will discuss issues exploring, for example, the processes of migration; types of speakers; imperialism and linguicism; attitudes to 'correctness' and 'standard'; language death and globalization. The seminars will be specifically directed to close linguistic analysis of a range of texts, non-literary as well as literary.

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

To include preparation and reading for each seminar; accessing relevant materials in the Nathan Bodington; preparation for the unseen paper, and the writing of the assessed essay/project.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Attendance at, preparation for, and participation in seminar discussion will be monitored on a regular basis.
In addition, unassessed assignment(s) may be required.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	3,000 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)	8 hr	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: 20/05/2008

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