LSMLMGR-Language and Migration

Module Provider: English Language and Applied Linguistics
Number of credits: 30 [15 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Dr Tony Capstick
Email: tony.capstick@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

In this module students will explore the role of language in migration by focusing on the multiple and complex ways that migration has been sustained and constrained through language use for centuries.

Students will be introduced to a range of theories from sociolinguistics, sociology and education studies and learn to apply these theories to different contexts of migration across the world.

Among the topics covered in the module are multilingualism and mobility, globalisation and language policy etc.

Aims:

This module aims to equip students with the theoretical and analytical tools to analyse the role of language in different forms of migration. It enables students to reflect critically on language and power in economic migration and forced migration and encourages students to identify the role of language in broader debates about the impact of migration on national and international policies such as international development, global security and education. Students will learn how to apply their findings to the way language is used to construct migrants in the media and how this effects our understandings of asylum, immigration and social cohesion.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of this module, students will be able to:

• describe and explain key theories of sociolinguistics, education studies and discourse analysis relevant to the analysis of migration. These include linguistic ethnography, New Literacy Studies and Critical Discourse Analysis;


• analyse authentic texts, conversations and social practices in order to identify how migrants use language in their migration trajectories as well as how migrants are constructed in a range of settings such as in the media, in international agencies such as the EU and the UN, and on social media;


• conduct research on language and new migration using a variety of text based and ethnographic approaches to the ethical collection, selection and analysis of data from naturally occurring language use;


• apply the findings from research on language and migration to discussions and debates about the effects of migration on education and literacy, immigration and integration policy, globalisation, and social and economic equality.  

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

1. Multilingualism and mobility


2. Empires and colonial language policy


3. Globalisation and translanguaging


4. Home languages and multicultural identities


5. Literacy, power and immigration


6. Forced migration and social cohesion


7. Multilingualism, emotion and foreign language learning


8. Higher education and international language testing


9. A plurilingual EU?


10. World Englishes and transnationalism

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Interactive lectures, small group discussions, online discussions, project work.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		20
Guided independent study:		180
Total hours by term		200
Total hours for module	300

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

One essay of 4500-5000 words on a general topic related to the focus of the module. The essay will focus on an area (or areas) of theory, research or research methods discussed in the module (chosen by the student), and will link the topic to practical and professional areas of interest (e.g., a teaching and/or learning situation with which the student is familiar).

This piece of work constitutes 100% of the module mark.

Formative assessment methods:

Students will receive on-going feedback from the instructor and from other students in the form of comments on their reflective blog posts.  

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy £Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes£, which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
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: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/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 50% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

Resubmission of coursework by 21 August in the year the course is taken.

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: 22 September 2022