- Course Code
- EL 30LQ
- Credit Points
- 30
- Course Coordinator
- Dr R McColl Millar
Pre-requisites
120 credit points at Level 2, which should include EL2010/2302 or equivalent. This pre-requisite may be waived at the discretion of the Head of School.
Notes
Admission subject to approval by the Head of School. The field work aspects of this course may pose difficulties to students with disabilities. For such students, alternative arrangements will be made available. Any student wishing to discuss this further should contact the School Disability Co-ordinator.
Overview
One of the universals of human life is that language is subject to change. Underlying much of this change is the fact that the form of all living languages varies from speaker to speaker. Sociolinguistics studies the way class, ethnic background and gender affect the way you speak and the way others perceive your speech. Historical Linguistics attempts to find significant patterns in the same variation and change found in the past.
This course introduces the basic principles of both Sociolinguistics and Historical Linguistics. In order to illustrate these principles, reference will be made to case studies, both historical and contemporary. You will also be encouraged to participate in small-scale research and fieldwork projects.
Structure
1 two-hour lecture and 1 two-hour seminar per week.
Assessment
1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (50%) and in-course assessment: one 2,000-2,500 word essay (30%), seminar work (10%), group presentation (10%).
Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (100%).