Language and Society in Europe

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

On campus

2.5 contact hours/week, 6 additional hours/week. Total of 8.5 hours per week.

None

none

none

Students who have completed Language and Society in Europe at Level 2 are not allowed to enrol in this subject.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

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.

• 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.

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).

Course reader prepared by the School, available through Melbourne University Bookshop. Further materials on LMS

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

• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments

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.

• 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.

This subject can be counted towards a major in any discipline in the School of Languages and Linguistics.