Language, Society and Culture

Subject 672-398 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

Semester 2, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Two 1-hour lectures and a 1-hour tutorial per week. There will be no tutorial in the first and the last weeks of semester.
Total Time Commitment: 3 contact hours/week , 5.5 additional hours/week. Total of 8.5 hours per week.
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

Contact

Dr Barbara Kelly
b.kelly@unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview: This subject examines how social and cultural factors influence language, and the role language plays in structuring and representing social categories across cultures. It examines how culture and language shape each other: how language represents and enables culture, and how cultures influence the form individual languages take. 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, 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.
Objectives:
  • understand and be able to identify the ways in which social factors influence language;
  • have developed an appreciation of the role of language in identity and society;
  • have become familiar with the central techniques of sociolinguistic research.
Assessment: Critical review of a research article 1000 words 20% (due mid semester), quiz 30% (toward end semester) major project 40% (due end semester), and class participation 10%.
Prescribed Texts:
  • (To be advised.)
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

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.
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: English Language Studies
English Language Studies Major
European Studies
Jewish Studies Major
Linguistics & Applied Linguistics
Linguistics && Applied Linguistics Major

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