English in a Globalised World

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

Total of 170 hours.

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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/

The spread of English through colonialism, its transformation in decolonisation, and its further expansion are examined in this course. We will analyse the changes in patterns and use of English in different sociopolitical settings, the historical factors that have led to these changes, and the effects of language contact in multilingual settings. The emergence of indigenised forms of English has important consequences for the teaching and testing of English language in international and local settings, and for English lexicography. Issues such as variation, codification, norm creation and the politics of international English will be addressed.

• comprehend the spread of English through colonialism, its transformation in decolonisation, and its further expansion as a global language.
• be able to recognise and analyse the changes in patterns and use of English in different socio-political settings, the historical factors that have led to these changes, and the effects of language contact in multilingual settings.
• have developed an awareness of the cultural and political implications of the current position of English, and refined critical skills for engaging in current debates.
• appreciate that the emergence of indigenised forms of English has important consequences for the teaching and testing of English language in international and local settings, and for English lexicography.
• demonstrate an understanding of issues such as variation, codification, norm creation and the politics of international English.

An empirical research project consisting of an abstract (500 words) 10% (due in week 10) a poster for class session (1000 word equivalent) 20% (due in week 12) and a research paper (3500 words) 70% (due during the examination period).

Seargeant, P. (2012). Exploring World Englishes: Languages in a global context. New York: Routledge.

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This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• develop skills in critical thinking and analysis, through recommended reading, essay writing and seminar discussion.
• develop skills in communicating knowledge intelligibly and economically, through essay writing and seminar presentation.
• develop skills in research, through competent use of the library and other information sources, and the definition of areas of inquiry and methods of research.