LS1ELS: English Language and Society

Module code: LS1ELS

Module provider: English Language and Applied Linguistics; School of Humanities

Credits: 20

Level: Level 1 (Certificate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Christiana Themistocleous, email: c.themistocleous@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This foundational module aims to provide a broad introduction to English Language and Society, and a basis for further in-depth study of the field in parts two and three of the degree in English Language and Linguistics. The module introduces students to relevant theories and descriptions, the kind of research which has been done, and the relationship of the student of English Language to other disciplines and contemporary ideas. It trains students with an understanding of how language operates as interaction in social groups. The module also provides opportunities for students to do hands on interpretation and analysis of authentic data as well as enabling them to analyse up to date research produced in the discipline.

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Discuss appropriate models of language and communication for applied linguistic enquiry
2. Apply techniques for analysing the use of language
3. Explain the features that distinguish and relate social aspects of language
4. Apply their knowledge and articulate their arguments effectively in writing

Module content

Material covered:

• Introduction to language in society;
• Language and mass media;
• Language and digital media;
• Language and politics;
• Language variation and change;
• Attitudes to language;
• Language as a social phenomenon: social class, gender, age, ethnicity.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Learning from interactive lectures and seminars on campus.

Learning by engaging in activities, group tasks and discussion, sharing ideas in online discussion forum.

Independent study: engaging with Blackboard resources, handouts, TALIS reading lists, etc.

Study hours

At least 22 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Peer feedback on assignment outline.

Reassessment

Additional costs