Language and Society in Europe

Subject 673-379 (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 is not offered in 2009.
Time Commitment:	Contact Hours: A 1.5-hour lecture and a 1-hour seminar per week. There will be no tutorial in the first week of semester. Total Time Commitment: 3 contact hours/week and 5.5 additional hours/ week. Total of 8.5 hours per week.
Prerequisites:	European studies students wishing to enrol in this subject would normally have completed first-year European studies.
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

 ContactCatrin Norrby 
catrinn@unimelb.edu.au 

Subject Overview:	This subject examines the relationship between language and society in Europe, including Scandinavia. It focuses on issues of relevance in an increasingly integrated Europe in which European and other languages are in contact through migration, travel, business, and mass media, and in which English is taking on an important role as a lingua franca. The topics to be covered include: the relationship between majority and minority languages, dialects and the standard language; bilingualism and multilingualism; semi-communication; language planning at state and European levels; politeness and forms of address; and the status and influence of English.
Objectives:	have a greater understanding of multilingual societies and the relationship between minority and majority languages; be able to critically appraise the role of English as a lingua franca in a European context; have gained insights into particular linguistic phenomena from cross-cultural and cross-linguistic perspectives; have increased their awareness of language planning issues at a societal level, both within state boundaries and the European Union.
Assessment:	A 10-15 minute class presentation during semester (equivalent to 1,000 words) 25%; a mid-semester test (equivalent to 1,000 words) 25%; an essay of 2,000 words 50% (due at the end of semester).
Prescribed Texts:	Course reader prepared by the School, available through Melbourne University Bookshop; further materials on LMS
Breadth Options:	This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses: Bachelor of Biomedicine Bachelor of Commerce Bachelor of Environments Bachelor of Music Bachelor of Science Bachelor of Engineering 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 improved their oral and written communication skills; have enhanced skills of critical thinking and analysis; be able to communicate intelligibly and economically; be able to work productively within a team.
Notes:	This subject can be counted towards a major in any discipline in the School of Languages and Linguistics.
Related Course(s):	Diploma in Modern Languages (French) Diploma in Modern Languages (Italian) Diploma in Modern Languages (Russian) Diploma in Modern Languages (Spanish) Diploma in Modern Languages - Swedish
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations:	French Major German German Major Italian Italian Major Linguistics & Applied Linguistics Linguistics && Applied Linguistics Major Russian Russian Major Spanish Swedish Swedish Swedish Major

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