EKIA214 Pragmatics and Interactional Sociolinguistics (5 cr)

Study level:
Intermediate studies
Grading scale:
0-5
Language:
English
Responsible organisation:
Department of Language and Communication Studies
Curriculum periods:
2017-2018, 2018-2019, 2019-2020

Description

Content

This course will introduce key concepts in pragmatics – i.e. how people use language in interaction in order to communicate meaning and negotiate relationships. At the same time, we will explore the theme of social and cultural variation, discussing interactional norms within different communities and contexts.

Completion methods

Lectures, in-class discussion tasks, occasional homework readings, and students' individual project work.

Assessment details

Active participation in class (83% attendance) and students' individual project work (leading to a final course paper).

Learning outcomes

After completing the course students will be able to:

- understand and analyse the role of context in communicating meaning
- recognise different levels of meaning in language use
- understand important concepts in pragmatics and apply them to ‘real’ data
- analyse non-verbal and paralinguistic cues in interaction
- analyse how social identities and relationships are negotiated through language use
- understand variation between communities’ practices

Description of prerequisites

EKIP2001 (or EKIP203) Introduction to Language Study

Study materials

Any compulsory reading material will be provided during the course. Useful background reading includes: Thomas, J. (1995). Meaning in Interaction: an Introduction to Pragmatics; Scollon, R. & Scollon, S. (2011). Intercultural Communication: A Discourse Approach; Spencer-Oatey, H. (ed.) (2008). Culturally Speaking.

Completion methods

Method 1

Select all marked parts
Parts of the completion methods
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Unpublished assessment item