2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

ENGL2024 Language in Society

20 creditsClass Size: 45

School of English

Module manager: Dr Kate Spowage
Email: k.s.spowage@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

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 ‘Analysing English’, ‘English: Context, Culture & Style, Key Concepts of Language: One, Key Concepts of Language; Two, a Level 1 module in Linguistics and Phonetics, or similar modules in other departments in Modern Languages.) If you do not meet this requirement, but do have a Grade A in English Language A-level, and you wish to take this module, you must consult the module tutor, 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

ENGL2022 English in Time and Space

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

In this module students will engage critically with topics, theories and research methodologies in the field of sociolinguistics, which is concerned with the complex relationship between language and society. Focusing on language in its social context, we will ask about linguistic variation (how small scale patterns of language use correlate with social categories such as class, gender and age) and the role of language in social life (including its relationships to power, national identity and ideology).

Objectives

On completion of this module students should have acquired knowledge of the key terms and central concepts of the discipline (e.g. idiolect, dialect, sociolect, Standard English, non-Standard varieties of English, code-switching, accommodation) and, building on level 1 descriptive levels of language, be able to describe language and linguistic processes in society using accurate lexical, grammatical, phonetic and morphological terms.

Students should also have good knowledge and understanding of theoretical and empirical studies in sociolinguistics and be able to assess their importance and apply their knowledge in the critical discussion of current linguistic issues in society.

Learning outcomes
Students will have developed:
- the ability to use written communication effectively
- the capacity to accurately describe, analyse, and critically examine language in its social setting
- the ability to locate and engage with appropriate theoretical and empirical studies in sociolinguistics and to assess the importance of this work within their own analysis of data
- Research skills - independent thought and judgement in relation to selection and synthesis of ideas
- critical reasoning
- IT skills
- efficient time management and organisation skills

Syllabus

In this module students will engage critically with topics, theories and research methodologies in the field of sociolinguistics, which is concerned with the complex relationship between language and society. Focusing on language in its social context, we will ask about linguistic variation (how small scale patterns of language use correlate with social categories such as class, gender and age) and the role of language in social life (including its relationships to power, national identity and ideology).

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	18	1.00	18.00
Seminar	10	1.00	10.00
Private study hours			172.00
Total Contact hours			28.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Reading and research using module reading list, lecture follow-up, seminar preparation, and wider reading and research within and beyond the module description.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Contribution to seminars.
Feedback on assessed work.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	1,250-word essay. Students must submit/sit and pass all elements of assessment. Students who fail any element (even as a result of penalties)) will have to resit the failed element in order to pass the module.	50.00
Essay	1,750-word essay	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Students must submit/sit and pass all elements of assessment. Students who fail any element (even as a result of penalties) will have to resit the failed element in order to pass the module.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 02/08/2024

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