Language, Society and Culture

Subject 672-398 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008.Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.500
Level: Undergraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2008.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 34 hours in total. Consisting of two 1 hour lectures per week and a 1 hour tutorial. There will be no tutorials in the first and last week of semester.
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Dr Barbara Kelly
Subject Overview:

This subject examines how social factors influence language, and the role language plays in structuring and representing social categories. Specific topics to be covered include socially determined variation in language styles and registers; language varieties reflecting social class, gender and ethnic group; factors affecting language choice such as, bi- and multi-lingualism, code-switching and code-mixing, and diglossia, as well as the relation between language, culture and thought and universalist versus relativist, views of language. Students will also study changes in language status over time; new social relationships; new languages such as pidgins, creoles, the impact of literacy on language; and language policies in Australia and overseas.

Assessment: A 10-minute class paper and 1000-word written presentation 20%, a language-in-use assignment 30% (due in the examination period), a 500-word assignment outline plus sample data analysis and references 10% (due in week 6), a 2500-word assignment 30% (due in week 10), and class participation 10%.
Prescribed Texts: Prescribed Texts:> (>)
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

  • have developed the ability to form judgments from conflicting evidence;

  • have developed an openness to new ideas and possibilities;

  • have improved their oral and written communication skills;

  • have developed their ability to step outside their own language and culture.
Notes:

Formerly available as 175-219/319 and 175-019 Language & Society. Students who have completed 175-219, 175-319, 175-019 or 175-020 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

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