Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

Successful completion of 120 credits of the programme for the MA in Sociolinguistics with an average mark of 50%.

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

In keeping with the overall aims of the MA in Sociolinguistics, this module aims to build on research skills and knowledge gained in the compulsory and optional elements of the programme. In addition, this module will provide an opportunity for students to research a specialist subject in depth and prepare themselves for doctoral study in their chosen field of specialism and to write an extended piece of research.

Outline Of Syllabus

A topic relating to the compulsory elements of the programme as well as those opted for; to be arranged in consultation with the DPD and potential supervisor(s).

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

1. An in-depth knowledge of a topic of the student’s choice on an aspect of Sociolinguistics.
2. Understanding of how their chosen topic fits with relevant wider theoretical and empirical concerns.
3. Increased awareness of theoretical paradigms and how they relate to empirical studies.
4. Critical perspectives on issues in the study of Sociolinguistics.

Intended Skill Outcomes

At the end of the module students should demonstrate the ability to:

1. Seek out, select, read and synthesize a substantial body of relevant scholarship.
2. Formulate aims, objectives and/or hypotheses and to use them to guide their research.
3. Choose, implement and justify appropriate research methods in the light of project aims and relevant research-methods literature.
4. Analyse their findings in the light of relevant theory and relevant previous research, and show their relevance to wider theoretical and empirical issues in the discipline.
5. Reflect critically on their own and others’ research methods and outcomes.
6. Report on all the above in a coherent, clearly-written and well-presented document which respects the academic conventions relevant to the topic are and research methods chosen.
7. Manage an original project effectively and independently.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The dissertation will give students an opportunity to research a topic in-depth and to design and undertake an appropriate study in the field of sociolinguistics. They also allow the supervisor to offer staged support through guided and progressively adjusted student learning.

Lectures will provide an induction into planning and implementng a dissertation, and utilising key research resources (including libraries, online portals, databases, grey literature and other research tools such as electronic corpora). Tutorials will introduce studentsd to data storage and management methods, and to the formatting skills required to produce a polished dissertation. They will also introduce students to techniques for presenting their research proposal in oral form. Students will also be introduced to time management considerations in preparation for organsing meetings with their dissertation supervisor in semester two, and for ensuring that theyproduce written work in time to allow feedback from the supervisor.

Tutorials allow students and supervisors to:

1. Ascertain progress.
2. Identify problems.
3. Plan study tactics and discuss fieldwork techniques.
4. Develop an overarching strategy for timely completion.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Since this is predominantly an independent, information-led and student-led module, the most suitable method of assessment is by means of an extended piece of writing such as a dissertation, which will test written communication skills as well as critical thinking/conceptual understanding/knowledge and the ability to conduct research in this discipline.

Research proposal: Assessment will take the form of a research proposal submitted in semester 2 which will explan the importance and research cnotext of the dissertation topic, accompanied by a concise outline of the dissertation's strucutre, a summary of methodological appracohes and source materials, and a brief review of previous work in sociolinguistics (2,000 words). Students will therefore begin the process of completing the dissertation in semester 3 with a secure foundation of ideas and methods.

General Notes

N/A