SEL3056 : Language in the City (Inactive)
SEL3056 : Language in the City (Inactive)
- Inactive for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Daniel Duncan
- Owning School: English Lit, Language & Linguistics
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
- Capacity limit: 60 student places
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Pre-requisite
Modules you must have done previously to study this module
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| SEL2091 | Sociolinguistics |
Pre Requisite Comment
N/A
Co-Requisite
Modules you need to take at the same time
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 sociolinguistics 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
Learning Outcomes
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 in written form.
- Understand and produce graphs/tables.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 22 | 1:00 | 22:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 68:00 | 68:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 99:00 | 99:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 5 | 1:00 | 5:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 6 | 1:00 | 6:00 | N/A |
| Total | 200:00 |
Jointly Taught With
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| SEL8676 | Metropolitan Sociolinguistics |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lecture materials will be used, primarily, to impart information and provide overall coherence for the module.
Small group teaching will be used to develop a deeper examination of lecture materials, as well as to build skills in linguistic analysis, with a focus on problem-solving/numeracy. They also aim to enhance interpretation of sociolinguistic approaches to language and society. Projects utilizing corpora will also be planned and developed in seminars.
Reading Lists
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reflective log | 2 | M | 33 | Reflective photojournal, 1000 words |
| Essay | 2 | A | 65 | 2500 words |
| Prof skill assessmnt | 2 | M | 2 | Submission of DECTE Access form |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The reflective log assignment assesses the student's ability to synthesize information concisely and present it coherently.
The essay tests written communication skills; analytical skills; critical thinking/conceptual understanding/knowledge and ability to construct a logical argument.
The DECTE corpus, which will be used in the essay, requires submission of a form to gain permission to access it.
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- SEL3056's Timetable
Past Exam Papers
- Exam Papers Online : www.ncl.ac.uk/exam.papers/
- SEL3056's past Exam Papers
General Notes
N/A
Welcome to Newcastle University Module Catalogue
This is where you will be able to find all key information about modules on your programme of study. It will help you make an informed decision on the options available to you within your programme.
You may have some queries about the modules available to you. Your school office will be able to signpost you to someone who will support you with any queries.
Disclaimer
The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2025 academic year.
In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.
Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, staffing changes, and student feedback. Module information for the 2026/27 entry will be published here in early-April 2026. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.