2022/23 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

LISS1056 Language and international communication in the digital age

10 creditsClass Size: 30

Module manager: Sascha Stollhans
Email: S.Stollhans@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: 1 Jul to 31 Aug View Timetable

Year running 2022/23

Pre-requisite qualifications

GPA of 2.8 (US) or equivalent and enrolled at a university

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

What is special about online communication? How can the language we use in a tweet change communication? Are language learning apps such as Duolingo the future of language learning? Will Google eventually replace human translators? We live in an increasingly digital world. The digitisation process has been accelerated since the Covid-19 pandemic. In this module, we will discuss what this means for language(s) and international communication. The module examines the nature of human communication and the specifics of online communication. It will introduce basic linguistics concepts with a special focus on aspects of digital language use. We will then discuss the rise of language apps and machine translation tools, and what these mean for different industries. You will learn to critically examine technological advances. You will consider their impact on language and communication. You will also reflect on your own experiences and learn to develop a concrete case study.

Objectives

This module is a critical introduction to some key concepts on communication and language use in the digital age. It uses perspectives from applied linguistics as well as concrete practice-based industry examples. Students will engage with these critically and relate them to their own linguistic, intercultural and technological experiences.

Learning outcomes
By the end of this module, students will:

Have a critical understanding of online communication and the development of communication and language use in the digital age.

Be able to discuss coherently, knowledgeably, and critically a selection of key issues with regards to the rise of technology and its impact on human communication.

Understand how technology changes selected language-related industries and what opportunities and challenges this brings.

Reflect critically on their own experiences with language technology.

Syllabus

Indicative syllabus:

This module will provide an overview of the recent developments in online communication and language technology. It will introduce key concepts from applied linguistics and encourage students to examine technological advances and their impact on language and communication critically. There will be guided reflections on the future of selected language-related industries. Students will develop a case study, critically examining a topic of their choice (guided by the tutor). In doing so, students will learn about some of the methodological approaches from the discipline.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Visit	1	10.00	10.00
Fieldwork	1	8.00	8.00
Seminar	8	3.00	24.00
Independent online learning hours			15.00
Private study hours			43.00
Total Contact hours			42.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

15 hours pre-course preparatory work (materials available on Minerva): This will include tasks and readings.

43 hours private study: this will include reading academic texts to discuss in class and preparing for assessment.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress will be monitored through:

Answering formative in-class quizzes

Feedback on group discussions

Feedback on the draft presentation plan and presentation materials

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Presentation	15-minute group presentation in class	40.00
Report	case study/ report 750 words	60.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

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: 27/02/2023

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