English in a Globalised World

This subject is not offered in 2016.

170 hours

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

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.

On successful completion of this subject, students should:

• 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:

• A 500 word abstract due in week 10 [10%]
• A (1000 word equivalent) poster for class session due in week 12 [20%]
• A 3500 word research paper due during the examination period [70%]

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

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Students who successfully complete this subject should have:

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