LS2SLG-Sociolinguistics

Module Provider: English Language and Applied Linguistics
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites: LS1ELS English Language and Society and LS1SG Sounds, Grammar and Meaning or PL1GML Grammar and Meaning
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2019/0

Module Convenor: Prof Rodney Jones

Email: r.h.jones@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
The module aims to introduce students to the relationship between language and society and the study of language as a social phenomenon. It will introduce students to diverse areas of sociolinguistic enquiry.

Aims:
The module aims to further develop an awareness of the concepts and approaches involved in the study of language and society. Students should gain a critical understanding of the links between language use, extra-linguistic factors and social identity.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that students will be able to demonstrate: 

• Familiarity with the main methods, principles and practice of sociolinguistic research;

• Knowledge of basic sociolinguistic terms and concepts;

• Awareness of the links between language variation and social context;

• Awareness of how language variation, and the related phenomenon of language choice, signal the social identity of speakers and their social relationships and how power relationships are reflected in language use;

• The ability for display information in visual form (production of an assessed website project);

• The ability to work as part of a group. 

 

Additional outcomes:
Students will have an enhanced understanding of the way language is used to create and define the social context. Students will also develop the conceptual and practical tools necessary to analyse and discuss seminal work in the field.

Outline content:
Topics will include: introduction to languages and communities, research methods in sociolinguistics, regional and social dialectology; language variation and change; stylistic variation, language and identity; multilingualism; language choice, attitudes to language.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Lectures with seminar-style discussion and guided independent study.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	18
Practicals classes and workshops	2
Guided independent study:	180
Total hours by term	200
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	60
Oral assessment and presentation	30
Set exercise	10

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Coursework

1. On-line multiple-choice tests on Blackboard (10%)

2. Web project and presentation (in groups) (30%)

3. One 2000-word assignment 

Relative percentage of coursework: 100%

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:
The Module Convener will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day[1] (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;

where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-assessment by coursework to be submitted by 12 noon on the third Friday in August in the year the course is taken.  Coursework with a mark of 40% or above may be carried forward.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding:
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 11 October 2019