EKIA5180 Introduction to Sociolinguistics (5 cr)

Open the course unit brochure on Sisu
Study level:
Intermediate studies
Grading scale:
0-5
Language:
English
Responsible organisation:
Department of Language and Communication Studies
Curriculum periods:
2024-2025, 2025-2026, 2026-2027, 2027-2028

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The social life of language; the diverse meanings of public signs, the link between language and things like gender and ethnicity, and attitudes toward language

Description

This course focuses on the relationship between language and society. The connection between social identity and language use will be examined. Main topics include language variation,social semiotics, gender, and language attitudes.

Learning outcomes

After this course, students will be able to:

  • define and apply key terminology in the field of sociolinguistics
  • explain the effect of social factors on language use, with varieties of English in focus
  • describe major strands of research in sociolinguistics
  • identify usable data and ways of conducting research on language
  • apply the concepts learnt in data analysis
  • In this course the student will also develop their skills in:
  • group work
  • designing and conducting an original research project including fieldwork
  • (classroom option):
  • giving a research presentation (and asking questions of others)

Description of prerequisites

Basic Studies.

Recommended prerequisites

Study materials

A list of literature on Moodle.

Completion methods

Method 1

Description:
Classroom contact course. Includes an independent small-scale project where students collect their own primary research data.
Evaluation criteria:
Min. 80 % attendance. Project work, presentations and written coursework are assessed based on knowledge & understanding of research, critical reading & comparison, structure of argument and focus of analysis, and writing and structure.
Select all marked parts

Method 2

Description:
Self-study package. Includes an independent small-scale project where students collect their own primary research data.
Evaluation criteria:
Project work, presentations and written coursework are assessed based on knowledge & understanding of research, critical reading & comparison, structure of argument and focus of analysis, and writing and structure.
Select all marked parts
Parts of the completion methods
x

Participation in teaching (5 cr)

Type:
Participation in teaching
Grading scale:
0-5
Language:
English

Teaching

x

Independent study (5 cr)

Type:
Independent study
Grading scale:
0-5
Language:
English

Teaching