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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2011/2012
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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences : Language Sciences

Undergraduate Course: Sociolinguistics (LASC10002)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences CollegeCollege of Humanities and Social Science
Course typeStandard AvailabilityAvailable to all students
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) Credits20
Home subject areaLanguage Sciences Other subject areaNone
Course website None Taught in Gaelic?No
Course descriptionThis 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 corpus-based analysis of variation (on a variable of their choosing) 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 two writing exercises in which students are encouraged to relate academic work to their direct observations and experiences in the world.

Assessment is by combination of: a take-home exam and a final project analysing a variable.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Students MUST have passed: ( Linguistics 2A (LASC08006) AND Linguistics 2B (LASC08013)) OR English Language 2 (LASC08002)
Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Students MUST NOT also be taking Sociolinguistics of Modern Scots (LASC10016)
Other requirements None
Additional Costs None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesVisiting students should have at least 3 Linguistics/Language Sciences courses at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this). We will only consider University/College level courses.


Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus?Yes
Course Delivery Information
Delivery period: 2011/12 Semester 1, Available to all students (SV1) WebCT enabled:  Yes Quota:  26
Location Activity Description Weeks Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
CentralLecture1-11 14:00 - 17:00
First Class Week 1, Monday, 14:00 - 17:00, Zone: Central. Room 3.02 in Appleton Tower
Additional information Class Location:
Room 3.02, Appleton Tower
Teaching Contact Time: 9 weeks out of 11 at 3 hours/week = 27 hours
No Exam Information
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, students may have developed skills in:
! face-to-face interviewing
! quantitative analysis of data using Excel and/or SPSS! survey design
! fieldwork in the wider community
Assessment Information
Assessment is by: take-home exam (50%) and final project(50%).
Special Arrangements
In order for a student to be enrolled, you must contact the course secretary as places are limited to 26.
Additional Information
Academic description Not entered
Syllabus Not entered
Transferable skills Not entered
Reading list Not entered
Study Abroad Not entered
Study Pattern Teaching Contact Time: 9 weeks out of 11 at 3 hours/week = 27 hours
KeywordsNot entered
Contacts
Course organiserDr Lauren Hall-Lew
Tel: (0131 6)51 1836
Email: Lauren.Hall-Lew@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Stephanie Fong
Tel:
Email: S.Fong@ed.ac.uk
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© Copyright 2011 The University of Edinburgh - 16 January 2012 6:18 am