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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2019/2020

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences : Language Sciences

Postgraduate Course: Special Topics in Sociolinguistics (LASC11001)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThis course covers topics and methods for the advanced study of sociolinguistics. Through advanced readings and an independent research project proposal, students examine the theories and practices used in contemporary sociolinguistic research. This option complements and develops ideas and materials that were introduced in the core course, Sociolinguistic Research Design. Each year the focus will be on a different special topic that is highly relevant to the on-going research of the course organisers and likely participants.
Course description This course covers topics and methods for the advanced study of sociolinguistics. Each week students read and discuss two journal articles or book chapters, and students will sometimes be asked to volunteer to lead the discussion of these readings. Both assessments (a literature review and an independent research project) engage students directly with the most cutting-edge studies in the field, relative to the semester's Special Topic. Each year the focus will be on a different topic that is highly relevant to the on-going research of the course organisers and likely participants. Previous topics include Language and Gender, Social Meaning and Indexicality, Sociophonetics, and Language Commodification. In cases where the methodologies are relatively more demanding (e.g., Sociophonetics), a project proposal will be required for assessment rather than a completed research project.

The exact topic in any given year will be proposed by the Course Organiser but ultimately decided based on consultation with the students intending to enrol on the course.

Any student who has not completed Introduction to Sociolinguistics (LASC11095) should contact the Course Organiser to ensure they are suitable for the course.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Students MUST have passed: Sociolinguistic Research Design (LASC11152)
Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Additional Costs None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2019/20, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  None
Course Start Semester 2
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Lecture Hours 18, Feedback/Feedforward Hours 10, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 168 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Two assignments: 2000 words (40%) and 3000 words (60%)
Feedback In-class discussions of upcoming and past assignments; class discussions of readings; student-led in-class discussions of readings; student presentations of research projects; 1-on-1 project meetings
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. name some of the key research questions in sociolinguistics
  2. name some of the main methodologies used in sociolinguistics
  3. name the benefits and costs to different methodologies
  4. design a compelling research question in the particular area of sociolinguistics discussed in the course
  5. conduct a small study to answer a research question in the particular area of sociolinguistics discussed in the course
Reading List
Talis Aspire Reading List
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Ability to analyse text critically, ability to present complex ideas in writing, ability to persuade through writing, ability to organise time and work independently. Depending on the Special Topic, skills might also include use of specialised computer programs and analysis of quantitative data.
Additional Class Delivery Information Attend all lectures as scheduled
Keywordssociolinguistics,applied linguistics,social theory,cultural studies
Contacts
Course organiserDr Lauren Hall-Lew
Tel: (0131 6)51 1836
Email: Lauren.Hall-Lew@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Toni Noble
Tel: (0131 6)51 3188
Email: Toni.noble@ed.ac.uk
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