LANGTCHG 761 : Sociolinguistics

Arts

2020 Semester Two (1205) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Examines sociolinguistic concepts relevant to understanding influences on language use at the level of individuals, social groups and institutions. Enables students to acquire an advanced understanding of social and regional dialects, perceived differences in the market status of particular languages, the use of sociolects and ethnolects in the media and other public domains, and policies and practices concerning migrant and heritage language maintenance.

Course Overview

This course introduces students to concepts related to sociolinguistics that are relevant to the learning and teaching of foreign languages. These include social and regional dialects, perceived differences in the market status of particular languages and dialects in educational and professional settings, the maintenance of migrant languages, and issues relating to power and status in communication. In discussing course topics and readings, students are expected to draw on their experience learning and teaching languages in different cultural contexts. While course readings may often refer to the teaching of English, this course is relevant to the teaching of any language and students are encouraged to discuss the particular language they teach in assignments. It is not unusual that students on this course teach multiple languages throughout their teaching careers. As researchers in applied linguistics frequently need to consider how factors such as power relations, ethnolinguistic identity and intercultural differences may impact the research process, this course also examines issues we need to be alert to when undertaking a research project in applied linguistics or when critically reading published research.
This course is offered online. 
Some students on the course are currently practising language teachers and may be located in a variety of locations in New Zealand or abroad. Students have the opportunity to learn about cultural differences in different teaching contexts through regular online interaction with peers.

Course Requirements

Restriction: LANGTCHG 749

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Identify, explain and evaluate social, economic and political factors that influence the formation of values attached to particular languages and dialects at individual and societal levels. (Capability 1.1, 2.1 and 6.2)
  2. Articulate and discuss factors that contribute to our perception of what constitutes the appropriate or correct use of language by teachers and learners in particular communicative contexts. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1 and 6.2)
  3. Understand and explain how social factors influence how we use language in different contexts. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 4.1, 5.1 and 6.2)
  4. Articulate and discuss the importance of languages and dialects to the formation and preservation of identities at individual and societal levels. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1 and 6.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Quizzes 6% Individual Coursework
Assignments 82% Individual Coursework
Discussions 12% Individual Coursework

Next offered

2021

Learning Resources

All reading materials  (articles and book chapters) for this course will be made available online once the course starts. There is no set text for this course. 

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week on each 15 point course that they are enrolled in, including class time and personal study and assignment preparation.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website at http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page (https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894), which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html).

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 05/07/2020 02:59 p.m.