Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

The module aims to:
-       Examine the role of demographics, development, and public policy in driving language variation and change in metropolitan areas
-       Introduce advanced terms, concepts and premises underlying sociolinguistic research, with particular respect to the variationist paradigm
-       Give a broad understanding of sociolinguistic fieldwork techniques
-       Apply the terminological distinctions, principles, methods and concepts used within these sub-disciplines to actual and novel case studies that explore the inter-relationships between language and society.
-       Further explore specific topics at the community and national level.

Outline Of Syllabus

This course provides an advanced study of sociolinguistic theory and practice through a focus on language variation and change in metropolitan areas. Key topics include:
-       Theoretical approaches to space and place
-       Indexical uses of language
-       Relations between urban structure and linguistic variation
-       Recent theoretical and methodological developments in metropolitan areas and their linguistic consequences

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

At the end of this module students will:
-       Understand relevant tools for sociolinguistic/sociological analyses.
-       Have an advanced understanding of the manner in which linguistic variation is structured in society.
-       Have an advanced understanding of concepts associated with understanding language and its function in society.
-       Have in-depth knowledge of a selection of case studies relevant to this field of study.

Intended Skill Outcomes

At the end of the module students should be able to:

-       Understand theoretical and experimental concepts relevant to appropriate paradigms and apply them to actual and hypothetical case studies.
-       Read critically and evaluate/apply different quantitative and qualitative sociolinguistic approaches to new data.
-       Understand concepts relevant to these sub-disciplines of linguistics/English Language and apply them to actual and hypothetical case studies.
-       Present arguments orally and in written form.
-       Understand and reproduce graphs/tables.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

N/A

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The formative presentation skills assignment assesses the student's ability to synthesize information concisely and present it coherently in oral form. It also assesses the student's scientific literacy skills in reading primary literature.

The abstract skills assignment assesses written communication skills and ability to synthesize information concisely. It develops professional skills necessary for postgraduate students to advance in the field.

The essay tests written communication skills; analytical/problem solving skills (depending on the question the student chooses); critical thinking/conceptual understanding/knowledge and ability to construct a logical argument.

*Oral Presentation 1: Synchronous leading of discussion of selected research paper OR - where appropriate and with prior permission from the module leader - written outline of key points of selected paper

General Notes

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