units

APG4346

Faculty of Arts

12 April 2013 20 June 2013

Postgraduate - Unit

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12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.

LevelPostgraduate
FacultyFaculty of Arts
Organisational UnitLinguistics
OfferedClayton First semester 2013 (Day)
Clayton Second semester 2013 (Off-campus)
Coordinator(s)Dr Louisa Willoughby

Notes

Previously coded ALM4130

Synopsis

Explore the role of language in society by examining language variation and change, multilingualism and how individuals adjust their speech to the situations they find themselves in. In this introductory unit, you will explore regional and social variation in language as well as topics such as language and gender, language and power and language policy. A key focus of this unit is the different methods of inquiry used in sociolinguistics. Students are introduced to a range of sociolinguistic methodologies and, with guidance from their unit advisor, develop and conduct their own small sociolinguistic study.

Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Identify and assess the significance of key theoretical perspectives in the study of language and society.
  2. Reflect on their own sociolinguistic repertoire.
  3. Apply sociolinguistic insights to their own professional context.
  4. Describe the main data gathering methods used in sociolinguistics, and select appropriate methods for a range of research questions.
  5. Design and carry out a small sociolinguistic fieldwork project.
  6. Engage in informed debate on matters of theoretical and practical significance in the areas of language and society, language education, language purism and language planning.

Assessment

Written Work (9,000 words in total): 100%

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Louisa Willoughby