This module analyses the close relationship between communication and culture. We shall be debating such questions as: Does language determine thought? What are ‘standard’ languages and why is so much invested in them? How and why do we try to ‘clean up’ language? Is free speech always a good thing? In analysing such themes, we shall be integrating insights from linguistics, anthropology, sociology and psychology. The principal aim of the module is to introduce you to theories and key readings in language and culture, and to help develop your critical and argumentative skills.

• Debate key issues in language and culture
• Critically evaluate key concepts and theories in language and culture
• Appraise the relationship between language and the way we think and act
• Read and evaluate theoretical texts relating to language and culture
• Write a carefully argued academic essay both as coursework and under the pressure of exam conditions
• Write rigorous and concise explanations of concepts

Timetabled sessions include 1 double lecture and 1 seminar per week.  There will be a 10-minute break in the middle of the double lecture.

Lectures will be as interactive as possible and are designed to stimulate interest and develop critical response rather than provide the bulk of the informational input, which will come through reading.

Lectures are usually supplemented with PowerPoint slides and handouts summarising content at a reasonable level of detail. These handouts are usually made available on Learning Central at least 24 hours before the session but copies will also be provided in class. Audio and video are used in this module. Transcripts are provided where the audio or visual texts are analysed in detail or are a core element of the lecture/seminar.

The seminars require full participation in the form of pair work, group work and class discussion and debate. You may be required to give an informal presentation and/or lead discussion.

The module focuses in particular on skills of argumentation, which are central both to academic success and to many employment contexts. It also draws on a number of different disciplines, thus broadening your academic horizons and developing the type of flexibility needed in a modern working environment. The work we do here has clear links with Sociolinguistics, Discourse, Language and Mind and with a number of Year 3 modules. It is also relevant to all the employability pathways.

The module is assessed by coursework (50%) and exam (50%).

The coursework provides an opportunity to analyse a topic in more depth. The essay titles are provided in the Module Outline at the beginning of your module. Your essay should demonstrate a good critical understanding of key issues, concepts and theories covered in the first half of the module and should develop a clear and convincing argument presented according to the academic conventions outlined in the English Language Undergraduate Student Handbook.

The exam is in two parts. Part I will ask you to define two key concepts in language and culture in no more than 25 words and then explain one key concept in no more than 150 words. The aim is to help you develop a rigorous but concise approach to explaining concepts. Part II will ask you to write an argumentative essay on one of the topics covered in the second half of the module. You will need to show that you have thought carefully about the topic and are able to discuss it intelligently under exam conditions. You will need to prepare at least two topics for the exam.

The module is assessed according to the Assessment Criteria set out in the English Language Undergraduate Student Handbook. Otherwise, there are no academic or competence standards which limit the availability of adjustments or alternative assessments for students with disabilities.

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR REASSESSMENT IN THIS MODULE:

In accordance with University regulations, students are allowed two attempts at retrieval of any failed essay, for a maximum module mark of 40%.  Resit assessments are held over the summer.

The module is divided into two parts. ‘The Place of Language in Culture’ examines the connections between language, mind and culture and covers such topics as

• The context of culture
• Language and thought
• Language socialization

‘The Politics of Language’ analyses the way language is viewed and argued about in society and covers such topics as

• Language and nation
• Language and ‘political correctness’
• Free speech and hate speech

The Reader, available from Blackwells at the beginning of term, provides the set of core readings for the module. These are seminal articles or chapters from seminal books.

1) Textbooks and Other Readers are good sources for increasing your understanding of a topic. I highly recommend Scollon, Scollon and Jones (2012): although titled Intercultural Communication, it is a much broader study of language and culture. Kramsch (1998) is a short and accessible overview of the area. Duranti (1997) and Foley (1997) are much heavier, but provide more in-depth coverage of the various topics. Burke et al. (2000) and Jaworski & Coupland (1999) are good sources of seminal texts. Crystal (1995) is excellent for reference. In addition to the ones listed below, many textbooks in sociolinguistics cover at least some of the topics in this module.

Burke, L., Crowley, T. and Girvin, A. (2000) The Routledge Language and Cultural Theory Reader. London: Routledge.
Crystal, D. (1995) The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Duranti, A. (1997) Linguistic Anthropology. Cambridge: CUP.
Foley, W. (1997) Anthropological Linguistics. Oxford: Blackwell.
Jaworski, A. & Coupland, N. (1999) The Discourse Reader. London: Routledge.
Kramsch, K. (1998) Language and Culture. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Scollon, R., Scollon, W. and Jones, R.H. (2012) Intercultural Communication: A Discourse Approach. 3^rd ed. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.

2) Recommended Further Reading consists in short reading lists that will be provided at the end of each lecture. They are a good start for research on the essays and to follow up on topics that have interested you.

3) Your Own Research (books, journal articles and other material not mentioned in the above sources) is probably necessary if you want to do well in your essay.

Note that you will be expected to read books and journal articles both in printed copy and online. You should contact the module leader as early as possible if you will require readings in an alternative format.