SEL2091 : Sociolinguistics
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Daniel Duncan
- Lecturer: Dr Adam Mearns, Professor Karen Corrigan
- Owning School: English Lit, Language & Linguistics
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
This module builds on the knowledge of language variation & change and data analysis skills obtained in SEL1032 in order to develop a fuller understanding of sociolinguistics. It introduces this domain of linguistics from two perspectives:
- Microsociolinguistics, the study of language variation and change at the level of individuals, groups, and communities. With particular emphasis on the framework of variationist sociolinguistics, the module explores how linguistic variation is influenced by societal factors like social class and ethnicity.
- Macrosociolinguistics, the study of language at the societal level. With particular emphasis on the sociology of language, the module explores how society shapes broader linguistic outcomes like language maintenance or shift, language endangerment, and the development of pidgins and creoles.
This module refines data analysis skills by further developing quantitative reasoning skills. It adds basic inferential statistics to the analytical toolkit and explores how these are used to refine and test linguistic hypotheses.
Outline Of Syllabus
Two major themes are addressed:
- Language variation and change within individuals and speech communities
- Societal influences on and attitudes toward language status
Specific topics include:
- The variationist paradigm
- Key patterns of language-external influences on language variation and change
- Sociolinguistic fieldwork methods
- Language attitudes and ideologies
- Outcomes of language contact
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 22 | 1:00 | 22:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 68:00 | 68:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 63:00 | 63:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Skills practice | 1 | 10:00 | 10:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 26:00 | 26:00 | N/A |
| Total | 200:00 |
Jointly Taught With
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| SEL8163 | Language and Society |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
LECTURES: Will be used, primarily, to impart information and provide overall coherence for the module.
SEMINARS: Will be used, primarily, to build skills in linguistic analysis and examine concepts in depth.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reflective log | 1 | M | 20 | Sociolinguistic interview and reflection, 500 words in total. |
| Portfolio | 1 | A | 80 | Quantitative and qualitative research write-up, 3000 words in total. |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prob solv exercises | 1 | M | N/A |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
-The formative problem solving exercises prepare students for the quantitative analysis in Portfolio 1.
-Reflective log 1 is required to give students hands-on experience in sociolinguistic fieldwork that will be relevant to future independent research.
-The Portfolio assignment is required to assess an understanding of data collection/analysis skills, written communication skills; analytical/problem solving skills; critical thinking/conceptual understanding/knowledge and ability to construct a logical argument.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- SEL2091's Timetable