LING20090 Sociolinguistics 2

Academic Year 2020/2021

This module considers how language use varies and changes in relation to aspects of identity such as gender, race, or style. It introduces students to both quantitative and qualitative research approaches in sociolinguistics, and familiarises them with current data collection and data analysis tools. Later, students will gain hands-on experience in performing sociolinguistic research centred on a community or social factor of their choosing. This module forms part of the BA 520 programme in linguistics and BAHum Language, Linguistics and Culture.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Explore:

the social factors that impact on linguistic variation

the aims & nature of current research methods in sociolinguistics

Apply:

current sociolinguistic research methods to the creation and carrying out of sociolinguistic research projects.

Evaluate:

the role of language variation in the expression or portrayal of identity

the usefulness and limitations of quantitative and qualitative methods in language research

the applicability of research methods to different kinds of data sets and contexts

Indicative Module Content:

dialectology, quantitative and qualitative methods in studying language variation and change, social factors (class, gender, age, ethnicity etc)dialectology, quantitative and qualitative methods in studying language variation and change, social factors (class, gender, age, ethnicity etc)

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24

Tutorial

6

Specified Learning Activities

40

Autonomous Student Learning

30

Total

100

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module combines a number of different teaching approaches:

Pre-recorded lectures

Online tutorials

Online group and individual activity-based learning

Critical reflection of data sets/scenarios

This module is delivered online through weekly learning resources available through Brightspace. Each learning resource consists of pre-recorded lectures, readings, interactive learning activities and online group discussion boards. Successful completion of the online resources forms part of the assessment for this module and is crucial to furthering understanding of the content and remaining assessments for this module.

All timetabled tutorials and office hours will be conducted live using online tools such as Blackboard Collaborate Ultra.
 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

one or preferably two modules in linguistics from stage 1


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
FR30160 - Sociolinguistics


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Continuous Assessment: VLE engagement Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

20

Assignment: essay style Week 5 n/a Graded No

25

Assignment: essay style Week 11 n/a Graded No

25

Group Project: small research project Week 12 n/a Graded No

30


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

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

All group and individual assignments that are submitted during the term will be returned to students with comments. In addition, comments will be provided to the whole class on commonly occurring issues via the Bright Space announcement function and orally in class. Students will also be encouraged to raise issues on assessment in tutorials or office hours. The aim is to help students identify where and how their work can be improved moving forward.