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: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Christiana Themistocleous
Email: c.themistocleous@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module is intended for a generation of students which is preparing to confront a host of ‘wicked problems’ involving globalisation and mobility, inequality and discrimination, hybridity and the blurring of boundaries. Luckily, sociolinguistics in the past two decades has been developing tools to address precisely these kinds of wicked problems.  In this course students will understand how the field has evolved from one concerned primarily with notions of ‘languages’ and ‘varieties’ and their distribution within society, to a more critical, constructivist enterprise in which language is seen as a social practice, with speakers drawing on all kinds of linguistic resources for different communicative purposes. 

Aims:

The module aims to further develop an awareness and critical understanding of concepts, approaches and theories involved in the study of language and society.

Assessable learning outcomes:

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

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


• Knowledge of basic sociolinguistic terms, concepts and research methods;


• Awareness of the links between language, social context, ideology, attitudes, power, mobility;


• Organise knowledge and articulate arguments effectively in writing;


• Ability to display information in visual form (production of an assessed website project);


• 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; indexicality, multilingualism and superdiversity; linguistic landscapes, code-switching and translanguaging, language attitudes and ideologies.

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

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	18
Seminars	5
Practicals classes and workshops	2
Guided independent study:	175
Total hours by term		0	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	60
Project output other than dissertation	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. Group project (30%)

3. One 2000-word assignment (60%)

Relative percentage of coursework: 100%

Formative assessment methods:

Peer-assessed assignment plan

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres 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 (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: 8 April 2021