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2015/16 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

LING2350 Language, Society and Discourse

20 creditsClass Size: 36

Module manager: Dr Ruth Payne
Email: R.Payne@leeds.c.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2015/16

Pre-requisite qualifications

LING1080 Linguistics 2
OR
LING1100 Language: Meaning and Use

This module is mutually exclusive with

ENGL2024Language in Society
LING3120Sociolinguistics

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module will give a grounding in some key concepts within sociolinguistics and (critical) discourse analysis as a basis for more advanced modules in this field. At the interface of sociological theory and linguistics, it is concerned with the linguistic experiences and choices of individuals, communities and societies and how these both reflect and remake the societies we live in. This will be explored through macro-level issues like language planning and policy, language variation, multilingualism; micro-level issues like code-switching, style switching and identity construction and through the tools of discourse analysis to see how these issues are evidenced in talk and text.

Objectives

On completing this module, students should be able to:
- show an awareness of both macro and micro level issues in sociolinguistics and how they interact
- understand the concept of 'discourse' and its role in structuring society
- apply theoretical linguistic concepts (e.g. grammar, phonetics) to language in use
- show an awareness of different types of sociolinguistic theory and the paradigm shifts which have taken place since the 1960s, including the 'turn to discourse'
- understand ethical and practical considerations in the collection of sociolinguistic data

Learning outcomes
By the end of this module, students should have an understanding of the scope of sociolinguistics in both quantitative and qualitative research. They will be introduced to the methods used in both macro and micro levels of study and will gain practical experience in applying and evaluating these tools.


Syllabus

This module will cover a range of topics including such issues as language variation and change; language policy and planning; contact, shift and death; code-switching and style; discourse and discourses; institutional language, critical discourse analysis.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Lecture101.5015.00
Seminar51.005.00
Private study hours180.00
Total Contact hours20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Private study

Weekly background reading (5 hours) (5 x 10); preparation for lectures (2 hours) (2 x 10); preparation for seminars (3 hours) (3 x 5); preparation for coursework (55 hours); preparation for exam (40 hours)

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Monitoring of progress will take place through:

- written feedback from coursework assignments, which will be returned to students before the examination.
- Monitoring of contributions to seminar and workshop tasks

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Essay or Dissertation2,500-word essay50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)50.00

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


Exams
Exam typeExam duration% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)2 hr 50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)50.00

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: 24/04/2015

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