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Semester 1

Sociolinguistics (LASC10002)

Subject

Language Sciences and Linguistics

College

CAHSS

Credits

20

Normal Year Taken

3

Delivery Session Year

2023/2024

Pre-requisites

Visiting students should have completed at least 3 Linguistics courses at grade B or above. We will only consider University/College level courses.

Course Summary

This course offers an introduction to the study of the relationship between language and society: Sociolinguistics. The course will cover topics including language, gender, and sexuality; language, politics, and ideology; language and social identity (age, gender, class, region); language contact; and multilingualism. Students will gain an overview of foundational and contemporary theoretical and methodological developments in the field.

Course Description

This course introduces students to the study of language in society ¿ Sociolinguistics ¿ by exploring the social and cultural embedding of language. Students will have the opportunity to engage with diverse areas of sociolinguistic inquiry by exploring the social and linguistic constraints of language variation as well as the socio-political implications of language use in society. This will include consideration of how linguistic varieties are used by individuals in everyday life and also how those varieties are perceived by others. Readings will cover key issues and current debates in the field of sociolinguistics such as multilingualism, politeness, identity, code-switching/mixing, translanguaging, and style-shifting. Throughout the course, there is an emphasis on collaborative learning. You are expected to participate fully in discussions in the class, and occasionally to present material to the class as a whole. Students will be particularly encouraged to apply the course concepts to novel datasets and reflect critically on their own sociolinguistic experiences. The content of this course is intended to provide students with a strong grounding in a research area that complements ¿Language Variation and Change¿ (LASC10102). Assessment will include a group presentation, a written assignment, and a short research project.

Assessment Information

Written Exam 0%, Coursework 100%, Practical Exam 0%

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