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Semester 2

Dynamics of Language and Power (ELCC08008)

Subject

European Languages and Cultures

College

CAHSS

Credits

20

Normal Year Taken

2

Delivery Session Year

2023/2024

Pre-requisites

**Please see Additional Restrictions below**

Course Summary

This course explores how unequal power relationships are manifested in specific sociolinguistic situations, and how this relates to individual and group identity in a variety of geographical contexts. Bringing together a range of approaches, the course will examine different aspects of language ideologies and practices, as well as real vs. declared language policy.

Course Description

Through a diverse range of specific case studies, this course aims to introduce students to the study of language policy, incorporating language management, language practices and language beliefs. Crucially, this field sheds light on the balance of power between different languages and their users. In addition to framing key concepts in the field, four specific sociolinguistic case studies will typically be considered: these will vary from year to year, but may include languages such as Gaelic, Greenlandic, Russian, the Sámi languages, Scots, and Spanish (no prior knowledge of any of these is required). Thematic topics and approaches to be covered will also vary, but may include globalisation, minoritisation, indigeneity, legal frameworks, education, commodification, media, language visibility, superdiversity, pluricentrism, and language contact. After the introductory week, which will focus on key concepts, the course will be structured into four main modules. The teaching activities for each module will be delivered through a mix of synchronous and asynchronous methods. You will listen to brief lecture-style presentations by the relevant tutor, where appropriate. Each of the four modules will include a weekly synchronous session for group discussion with tutors. You will be asked to read academic texts and to consider examples of real-world discourse in relation to the cases being considered. In so doing you will develop your ability to read critically and in context, while also learning about a diverse selection of language situations. The focus of the course is on student-led learning, so the class will be organised into small autonomous learning groups (ALGs) in which you will carry out interactive learning activities each week through Learn or other online platforms. As a formative exercise, you will complete individual reflective logs for each of the four modules in the course. Your learning and understanding will be further assessed through a presentation (produced in your ALGs and submitted electronically) and an end-of-course essay. One week will be set aside specifically for preparation of the group presentation, and groups will be able to schedule feed-forward sessions with the relevant tutor.

Assessment Information

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

Additional Restrictions

This course is high-demand, meaning that there is a very high number of students wishing to enrol in a very limited number of spaces. Enrolment is managed by the Visiting Student Office, in line with the quotas allocated by the departments, and all enquiries to enrol in these courses must be made through the CAHSS Visiting Student Office. It is NOT appropriate for students to contact the department directly to request additional spaces.

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