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LN4520: PERCEPTION, PRESCRIPTION, PREJUDICE (2022-2023)

Last modified: 31 Jul 2023 11:19


Course Overview

As linguists we have a lot to say about language, but so too do ‘normal people’. Differences between linguists’ and non-linguists’ views can raise a question of ownership: who decides what’s right? Moreover, beliefs about language and the ‘correct’ way to use it often serve as a proxy for larger prejudices, sometimes with profound social consequences. This course explores the source of prescriptive attitudes to language and their influence in linguistic spheres and beyond.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 4
Term Second Term Credit Points 30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Dawn Leslie
  • Dr Elspeth Edelstein

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

This course will explore the source of prescriptive attitudes to language and their influence in linguistic spheres and beyond. We will trace the history of linguistic complaints in English and other languages, taking into account contemporary discussion of standardisation and the ideologies behind it. Students will have the opportunity to discuss the influence of prescriptivism in education, media, and social structure, among other areas. We will critically examine the way that laypeople’s perception of language differs from linguists’ and the consequences of this divergence, considering whether and how linguists should bridge this divide. 


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Social media project

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 10
Assessment Weeks 34 Feedback Weeks 37

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Feedback

Students will be provided with a written comment through the Blackboard platform, as well as oral feedback from the tutor if desired.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseBe able to identify the influence of language attitudes and prescriptivism in public discourse.
ConceptualApplyBe able to articulate arguments against prescriptivism and identify alternatives.

Tutorial/Seminar Participation

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 10
Assessment Weeks 26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35,36 Feedback Weeks 39

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Feedback

Students will be provided with a comment through the Blackboard platform, as well as oral feedback from the tutor throughout the course if desired.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseBe able to identify the influence of language attitudes and prescriptivism in public discourse.
ConceptualApplyBe able to articulate arguments against prescriptivism and identify alternatives.
FactualUnderstandBe aware of the ideological underpinnings of the drive for standardisation and its consequences.
FactualUnderstandHave an understanding of the history of language complaints in English and other languages.

Language Analysis Exercise

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 30
Assessment Weeks 32 Feedback Weeks 35

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Feedback

Feedback will be provided by tutors in written form through the online coursework submission platform Turnitin.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseBe able to identify the influence of language attitudes and prescriptivism in public discourse.
ConceptualApplyBe able to articulate arguments against prescriptivism and identify alternatives.

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 50
Assessment Weeks 37 Feedback Weeks 40

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Feedback

Feedback will be provided by tutors in written form through the online coursework submission platform Turnitin. - Within 3 weeks of submission.

Word Count 2500
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseBe able to identify the influence of language attitudes and prescriptivism in public discourse.
FactualUnderstandBe aware of the ideological underpinnings of the drive for standardisation and its consequences.
FactualUnderstandHave an understanding of the history of language complaints in English and other languages.

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 100
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Feedback will be provided by tutors in written form through the online coursework submission platform Turnitin.

Word Count 2500
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
FactualUnderstandHave an understanding of the history of language complaints in English and other languages.
FactualUnderstandBe aware of the ideological underpinnings of the drive for standardisation and its consequences.
ConceptualAnalyseBe able to identify the influence of language attitudes and prescriptivism in public discourse.
ConceptualApplyBe able to articulate arguments against prescriptivism and identify alternatives.

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