Modiwl QXZ-1113:
Language & Society (Int)
Language and Society (for International Students) 2023-24
QXZ-1113
2023-24
School of Arts, Culture And Language
Module - Semester 1
10 credits
Module Organiser:
Sarah Cooper
Overview
Students will learn about topics such as the following:
Sociolinguistics as a field, and its relevant terminology; Sociolinguistic variability - how people use language in various different ways, depending on their social background, the context of the language use, etc.; Linguistic variables - what features of English grammar display variation in use? Social variation - what aspects of a person's social background (including e.g. age, gender) influences their language use? Regional variation - what dialectal variation is there in English (and other languages) and why? Examples of sociolinguistic variation - students will learn about influential studies in the field and what researchers know about how English varies. The sociolinguistics of Welsh. How does the sociolinguistic situation of a minority Celtic language like Welsh differ to that of a global and majority language like English? (No prior knowledge of Welsh is required!)
Assessment Strategy
-threshold -D:Student has achieved the minimum acceptable standard of understanding and/or knowledge in all the learning outcomes. Student can demonstrate a minimum level of understanding of the basic concepts and be able to apply them to data with some degree of accuracy.
-good -B: Student has achieved a better-than-average standard of understanding and/or knowledge in all learning outcomes, and has a clear and accurate understanding of concepts; ability to apply concepts to data critically and thoughtfully; evidence of wide reading and clear and accurate reference to source materials; free from misunderstanding and errors of content; free from irrelevant material.
-excellent -A:Student has achieved a thorough standard of understanding and/or knowledge in all learning outcomes; or student has demonstrated an exceptional level of achievement in one or more learning outcomes together with a good overall standard: student has achieved a thorough understanding of the subject, both in terms of content and theory; student is able to apply concepts clearly and accurately; substantial evidence of critical and original thought and analysis; clear, logical argument; high level of communicative competence; free from irrelevant material and errors of spelling and punctuation; evidence of extensive reading beyond basic texts and clear and accurate references to source material.
Learning Outcomes
- Students will be able to demonstrate a developing familiarity with and an ability to use appropriately the specialist terminology associated with the subject
- Students will be able to give an account of sociolinguistic insights about linguistic variability in English
- Students will be able to specify linguistic, social/regional, and situational variables and differentiate clearly between them
- Students will show a developing understanding of some of the main areas of contemporary sociolinguistics
- Students will show a developing understanding of the role of the English language in society and comment in an informed manner on approaches to this subject
Assessment method
Exam (Centrally Scheduled)
Assessment type
Crynodol
Description
Online exam on module contents
Weighting
100%
Due date
10/01/2023