EKIA514 Sociolinguistics 1 (4 cr)

Content

This is an introductory course that focuses on the relationship between language and society. The connection between social identity and language use will be examined. Main topics include language variation and language choice in multilingual communities, dialects, gender, language change, and language policy.

Completion methods

There are two ways of earning the credits:
1) Contact course: Learning journal, lectures, readings, group work
OR
2) Self-study: Readings and exam

Open University: contact teaching, web-based tasks, learning assignments, an exam or a combination of these (methods of study will be specified in the annual teaching programme before the start of each academic year).

Assessment details

Contact course: Learning journal: 30%, Class participation: 20%, Group presentation + Q&A: 50%
OR
Self-study: Book exam

Open University: Active participation (100% attendance usually required). Learning assignments or an exam.

After completing the course or studying the books the students will be able to
•define and apply key terminology in the field of sociolinguistics
•explain the effect of social factors on (English) language use
•describe major strands of research in sociolinguistics
•identify usable data and ways of conducting research on language
•apply the concepts learnt in data analysis

Target group: Second and third year students

Absence policy: Students taking the class option may be absent from no more than two classes. If a student misses more, it is up to the teacher to decide on what condition the credits may still be earned.

Recommended: EKIP2001 Introduction to Language Study and EKIP504 The Story of English