LSMSOC: Sociolinguistics

Module code: LSMSOC

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

Credits: 20

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

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

Module co-convenor: Professor Rodney Jones, email: r.h.jones@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 module introduces students to the relationship between language and society. They learn about the interaction between social factors such as age, gender, region, and the way people use language, how people use linguistic resources to construct social identities and manage social relationships, and why people and societies value particular ways of speaking over others. The module focuses on the role of language in a range of social issues, including citizenship, racism, educational policy and practice, migration, and conflict across borders. Students use the theories and concepts they have learnt to conduct a research project, which will also prepare them for the research tasks they will carry out when they do their dissertations. The module will equip them with an understanding of the social aspects of language use which they can apply to a range of workplace situations such as language teaching, media and communication, educational administration, and business.   

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Describe the major approaches that have been developed to explain and analyse sociolinguistic phenomena; 
2. Critically evaluate and debate sociolinguistic research studies;  
3. Apply theories and concepts in sociolinguistics in analysing and formulating solutions to real-world social problems; 
4. Carry out a sociolinguistic research project which includes a review of the relevant literature, the choice of a suitable methodology, the collection and analysis of empirical data, and the interpretation of findings.  

Module content

The core topics covered in the module are as follows:

• Sociolinguistics and social issues
• Languages, dialects and accents
• Language ideologies
• Language policies and citizenship
• Language variation
• Communicative resources and repertories
• Code mixing/switching
• Translanguaging
• The sociolinguistics of globalisation
• Language contact
• Language style
• Language attitudes
• Language discrimination
• Language and media
• Linguistic landscapes
• Language and conflict

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module includes interactive lectures covering the core topics, student presentations of and debates about selected sociolinguistic studies, workshop activities on sociolinguistic research design, and online video and textual content.  Students work independently on their research projects, report on their progress in class and meeting individually with the instructor when necessary.  

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 50% 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.

Students submit an outline of their research reports for formative assessment.

Reassessment

Additional costs