LIN8015 Introduction to Sociolinguistics

LIN	8015	78036	2, 2008	EXT	Introduction to Sociolinguistics	1.00	Toowoomba
Subject	Cat-nbr	Class	Term	Mode	Description	Units	Campus

Academic group:	FOEDU
Academic org:	FOE002
Student contribution band:	1
ASCED code:	091521

Staffing
Other requisites
Rationale
Synopsis
Objectives
Topics
Texts
Reference materials
Student workload
Assessment details
Important assessment information
Assessment notes
Other requirements
Production date
PDF version

STAFFING

Moderator: Ann Dashwood

OTHER REQUISITES

State law in Queensland (Australia) requires that all adults working/undertaking professional experience/researching with children under the age of 18, in the state of Queensland are required to possess a current suitability card (Blue Card). (See "Other Requirements" for further information.) Also see: http://www.childcomm.qld.gov.au/employment/bluecard/informationSheets.html

RATIONALE

Sociolinguistics is a deverse and dynamically growing area of linguistics and its scope is highly relevant to all educational contexts. Some of the key contexts include education of minority children and speakers of non-standard language varieties as well as all contexts of foreign language education.

SYNOPSIS

Language is inextricable from the society in which it is used. This course provides students with a comprehensive coverage of the most relevant topics related to the interrelationship between language and society, as well as language and culture. It provides educators, applied linguists and language teachers with an understanding of the social aspects of language, including the most topical issues of language planning and policy, societal aspects of language use, attitudes towards social dialects and other language varieties. This course is useful not only for teachers and educators, but also for those who take advocacy in maintaining native and community languages, including language program managers at institutional as well as national levels.

OBJECTIVES

The course objectives define the student learning outcomes for a course. The assessment item(s) that may be used to assess student achievement of an objective are shown in parenthesis. On completion of this course students will be able to:

1.: demonstrate an understanding of the scope of sociolinguistics and identify language related issues as part of the field; (Assignment 1)
2.: compare different language varieties, demonstrate an understanding of societal attitudes towards them and discuss their implications for education and the society as a whole; (Assignment 1)
3.: discuss the factors influencing the choice of different languages used as a means of communication in various contexts; (Assignment 1)
4.: discuss and describe the interrelationship between language and culture and how culture affects our everyday communication; (Assignment 2)
5.: demonstrate cross-cultural sensitivity and the ability to apply culturally sensitive and appropriate approaches in educational practices; (Assignment 2)
6.: compare the gender-specific characteristics of speech and develop a sensitivity to language related stereotypes; (Assignment 1)
7.: identify and describe factors that contribute to language death and demonstrate the ability to critically analyse and suggest ways of language revitalisation; (Assignment 2)
8.: suggest ways of reversing language shift and propose ways of promoting minority languages; (Assignment 2)
9.: discuss language policy documents of international significance; (Assignment 2)
10.: critically analyse language policies and language planning in the Australian context as well as in the learners' own context and offer alternative solutions. (Assignment 2)

TOPICS

	Description	Weighting (%)
1.	Introduction: Definition of sociolinguistics and the sociology of language	5.00
2.	Language, Dialects and Varities: language varieties and dialects pidgins and creoles, and language and gender	15.00
3.	Choosing a code: Diglossia Code switching	15.00
4.	Language and culture: Language, culture and thought, ethnography and ethnomethodology, linguistic etiquette in a cross-cultural perspective	25.00
5.	Multilingualism and language policy: Multilingualism and multiculturalism language maintenance and shift language death - language rights, and language policy and planning	40.00

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

Wardhaugh, R 2006, An introduction to sociolinguistics, 5th edn, Blackwell Publishers Ltd, Oxford.

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

Whether you are on, or off campus, the USQ Library is an excellent source of information http://www.usq.edu.au/library/ . The gateway to education resources is here... http://www.usq.edu.au/library/faculties/education/default.htm

Holmes, J 1998, An introduction to sociolinguistics, Longman, London.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ACTIVITY	HOURS
Assessments	25.00
Directed Study	96.00
Private Study	50.00

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

Description		Marks out of	Wtg(%)	Due date	Notes
ASSIGNMENT 1 (3000 WORDS)		50.00	50.00	05 Sep 2008	(see note 1)
ASSIGNMENT 2 (3000 WORDS)		50.00	50.00	31 Oct 2008	(see note 2)

NOTES

1.: Students need to submit journal OR discussion board entries with each assignment (500 words).
2.: Students need to submit journal OR discussion board entries with each assignment (500 words).

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

Attendance requirements:
There are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students' responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
To satisfactorily complete an individual assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks (Depending upon the requirements in Statement 4 below, students may not have to satisfactorily complete each assessment item to receive a passing grade in this course.)
Penalties for late submission of required work:
If students submit assignments after the due date without (prior) approval of the examiner then a penalty of 5% of the total marks gained by the student for the assignment may apply for each working day late up to ten working days at which time a mark of zero may be recorded. No assignments will be accepted after model answers have been posted.
Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
Examination information:
There is no examination in this course.
Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
As there are no examinations in this course, there will be no deferred or supplementary examinations.
University Regulations:
Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

1.	The due date for an assignment is the date by which a student must despatch the assignment to the USQ. The onus is on the student to provide proof of the despatch date, if requested by the Examiner.
2.	In accordance with University Policy, the Examiner may grant an extension of the due date of an assignment in extenuating circumstances.
3.	The Faculty will normally only accept assessments that have been written, typed or printed on paper-based media. The Faculty will NOT accept submission of assignments by facsimile. Students who do not have regular access to postal services or who are otherwise disadvantaged by these regulations may be given special consideration. They should contact the examiner of the course to negotiate such special arrangements
4.	In the event that a due date for an assignment falls on a local public holiday in their area, the due date for the assignment will be the next day. Students are to note on the assignment cover the date of the public holiday for the Examiner's convenience.
5.	Students who, for medical, family/personal, or employment-related reasons, are unable to complete an assignment or to sit for an examination at the scheduled time may apply to defer an assessment in a course. Such a request must be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation. One of the following temporary grades may be awarded IDS (Incomplete - Deferred Examination; IDM (Incomplete Deferred Make-up); IDB (Incomplete - Both Deferred Examination and Deferred Make-up).
6.	Students may be required to provide a copy of assignments submitted for assessment purposes. Such copies should be dispatched to the USQ within 24 hours of receipt of a request to do so.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

IMPORTANT NOTE: Working with Children: State law in Queensland requires that all adults (including university students, pre-service educators, trainers, vocational teachers, industry educators) working with children under the age of 18, in the state of Queensland*, obtain approval before commencing such work. Many education courses include a practical component (professional experience, project work, research, assessment etc.) that may require engagement with children under the age of 18. It is your responsibility to ensure that you possess a current suitability card (Blue Card) before commencing any practical components of this course. DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE WITH CHILDREN UNDER 18 UNLESS YOU POSSESS A CURRENT 'BLUE CARD'. For further information: http://www.childcomm.qld.gov.au/employment/bluecard/informationSheets.html. *If you are undertaking practical experience outside the state of Queensland, Australia you should check local requirements.

This version produced 28 Aug 2009.