INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLINGUISTICS - 2020/1

Module Overview

This module is taught in English in semester 2 of FHEQ Level 5

Module provider

School of Literature and Languages

Module Leader

SIMS-WILLIAMS Jennifer (Lit & Langs)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 5

JACs code: Q140

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None.  

Module content

Indicative content includes:

 

• Language variation and change;
• Language as a social marker;
• Dialects and nation;
• Power and politeness.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate

 

• 
  Ability to analyse and interpret texts;
  


• 
  Ability to select and synthesise information from written and oral texts;
  


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  Ability to take notes effectively and use IT skills to find and present relevant information;
  


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  Subject-specific knowledge of sociolinguistics.
  

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  Written assignment of 1500 words (to be submitted after week 8).
  


• 
  Two hour exam.
  
   
  
   
  
  Formative assessment and feedback
  
   
  


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  Formative assessment will focus on student participation and class discussions throughout the module.
  


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  Students will be provided with detailed written feedback following coursework assignments.
  


• 
  Verbal feedback will also occur in class and individual appointments if required.
  

Module aims

• To examine language as a social phenomenon, promoting the students' awareness of socio-cultural issues in different languages.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

 

• 
  Enable students to acquire explicit knowledge of the linguistic structures, grammar and stylistic registers through attending classes and reading;
  


• 
  Encourage student participation and learner autonomy, through small group classes, reading outside contact hours and participating in seminars;
  


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  Develop research skills, through reading and presenting findings, through informal class presentations and in the written assignment;
  


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  Enable students to engage in analytical and evaluative thinking, to analyse and interpret texts and other cultural products, through attending classes and engaging in individual study.
  


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  Develop communication skills through interactions in class;
  


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  Acquire a broad knowledge of sociolinguistic theory and practice.
  

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  Three contact hours per week over Semester 2.
  


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  Classes will include lectures and seminars.
  


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  students are expected to read extensively outside classes in order to follow lectures and participate in seminars.
  

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

Reading list for INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLINGUISTICS : http://aspire.surrey.ac.uk/modules/lin2005

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2020/1 academic year.