LING40470 Sociolinguistics (MA)

Academic Year 2023/2024

This module deals with prominent research topics and paradigms in scoiolinguistics. We discuss quantitative and qualitative approaches to sociolinguistics and examine language use in both monolinguial-type and multilingual-type settings. Discussion is based around broad thematic issues in sociolinguistics research such as gender, social networks, identity, language ideology, bilingual and multilingual practices. The module critically examines research methods (data collection and data analysis) in sociolinguistic research and students will gain first hand experience of these methods through hands-on small group projects. Students will also further their knowledge of crucial transferable skills such as presentation skills, project design and research skills, pattern recognition skills, academic paper writing skills.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

- understand, critically assess & apply major concepts in sociolinguistics
- describe & apply techniques of data collection and analysis in (socio)linguistics
- describe & analyze linguistic diversity and the factors that influence it
- analyze the structure of academic articles
- critically assess information in academic articles
- learn presentation skills
- learn how to recognize and analyze patterns in data sets
- learn how to do independent sociolinguistic research including writing academic-type papers

Indicative Module Content:

Data collection methods in sociolinguistics
Quantitative and qualitative approaches to analyzing data
Notion of variation
Language ideologies
Multilingual practices
Linguistic Landscaping
Language in the digital era
Social factors in language use

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Specified Learning Activities

76
Autonomous Student Learning

150
Total

250
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module will have a number of different activities: face to face lectures, group activities, individual and group presentations, individual reading (with guiding questions), individual and group project work. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Group Project: several smaller group project taking place throughout the semester; brief group write up of
results		 Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

40
Continuous Assessment: Activities on the VLE Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

10
Essay: provide a full academic paper writeup of the project & results at the end of the semester Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

50

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students will receive written feedback on all of their assignments. General issues will also be discussed in class and or highlighted via the VLE. Students will also be encouraged to supply feedback to their peers for some of their activities.

Name Role
Dr Christoph Neuenschwander Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Autumn
      
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Wed 14:00 - 15:50