LIN8015 Introduction to Sociolinguistics

Contents

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

STAFFING

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. NOTE: Minimum enrolment numbers apply to this offering. Should enrolments not reach the minimum number required for on-campus study, students may be transferred to the EXT or WEB offering and advised of this change before semester commences.

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; EXT(Essay and Discussion Board 1 and 2) ONC - (Essay and Discussion Board 1 and Presenation)

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; EXT (Essay and Discussion Board 1 and 2) ONC- (Essay and Discussion Board 1 and Presentation)

3.

discuss the factors influencing the choice of different languages used as a means of communication in various contexts; EXT(Discussion Board 1 and 2) ONC- (Discussion Board 1 and Presentation)

4.

discuss and describe the interrelationship between language and culture and how culture affects our everyday communication; (Essay and Discussion Board 1)

5.

demonstrate cross-cultural sensitivity and the ability to apply culturally sensitive and appropriate approaches in educational practices; (Discussion Board 1)

6.

compare the gender-specific characteristics of speech and develop a sensitivity to language related stereotypes; (Discussion Board 1)

7.

identify and describe factors that contribute to language death and demonstrate the ability to critically analyse and suggest ways of language revitalisation; EXT (Essay and Discussion Board 2) ONC - (Essay and Presentation)

8.

suggest ways of reversing language shift and propose ways of promoting minority languages; EXT - (Essay and Discussion Board 2) ONC- (Essay and Presentation)

9.

discuss language policy documents of international significance; EXT (Essay and Discussion Board 2) ONC- (Essay and Presentation)

10.

critically analyse language policies and language planning in the Australian context as well as in the learners' own context and offer alternative solutions. EXT (Essay and Discussion Board 2) ONC- (Essay and Presentation)

TOPICS

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).

LIN8015 study package available from USQ bookshop.

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 2008, An introduction to sociolinguistics, 3rd edn, Longman, London.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

NOTES

1.

Discussion Board entries should be submitted by due date and need to reflect a continuous engagement with the course. 800 words.

2.

1200 Words. - PRESENTATION (ONC)

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   It is the students' responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and 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.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To complete each of the assessment items satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available or a grade of at least C-. (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.)
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
6. Examination information:
   There is no examination in this course.
7. 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.
8. 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.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

1. Students must submit both assignments and the journal/discussion board entries.
2. 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 19 Nov 2009.