Sociolinguistics (U00328)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : PPL-3-SOCL-LI

This course builds on the introductory work students have undertaken in sociolinguistics in pre-Honours courses. We focus on develop practical experience in deploying the skills and background knowledge needed for studying variation in language use and language attitudes that were laid down in Years 1 and 2. The empirical foundation laid down in Linguistics 2B is essential preparation for this course (see Course Prerequisites). Participants in this course will deepen their own experience as researchers and fieldworkers through the development of a variationist topic that they will complete for their final project.
Alongside the development of practical experience in studying variation, the course explores major aspects of the theory of language variation and change in more detail, such as:
the importance of change over time in a community,
the potential for change across an individual's lifespan,
the relationship between social identities like gender or social class and variation in language use,
how sociolinguistic methods inform the study of language contact and dialect levelling.

There is an emphasis on collaborative learning strategies in this course. Students are expected to participate fully in discussions in the class, and present new material. Lectures are supplemented with in-class exercises and discussions, and course participants are encouraged to work on their final project in a small group. Readings, lectures and in-class exercises are supported by three writing exercises in which students are encouraged to relate academic work to their direct observations and experiences in the world.

Entry Requirements

? This course is not accepting further student enrolments.

? Pre-requisites : Linguistics 2A and 2B, OR English Language 2. Students must have prior training in variationist sociolinguistics.

? Prohibited combinations : Sociolinguistics of Modern Scots (U00459)

? Special Arrangements for Entry : In order for a student to be enrolled, you must contact the course secretary as places are limited to 30.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Language Sciences, (School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, Schedule I)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)

? Contact Teaching Time : 3 hour(s) per week for 9 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
18/09/2007	13:00	14:00	Room B.B09, Adam Ferguson Building	Central

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Monday	11:10	13:00	Central
Lecture	Thursday	11:10	12:00	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, all participants will be able to:
analyse and interpret primary data
critically evaluate the reasoning behind data interpretation
critically evaluate the rationale for using qualitative or quantitative methods in analysing data
identify the major sociolinguistic issues addressed in a given study of language attitudes or language use
report on their own research showing a synthesis of the above
relate academic sociolinguistic research to their own experiences
provide and ask for peer-support, e.g. in data collection, tutoring.

In addition, depending on their final project, some students will have developed skills in:
face-to-face interviewing
quantitative analysis of data using Excel and/or Goldvarb
survey design
fieldwork in the wider community