Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 16 x 1 hour lectures |
| Seminars / Tutorials | 7 x 1 hour seminars |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | 1 x 3000 word case study | 50% |
| Semester Assessment | 1 x 3000 word essay | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Students failing the module will repeat only the failed component(s); those re-sitting failed coursework are required to select a different essay/assignment title and must not submit re-written versions of the original essay/assignment. | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. Discuss the importance of language and communication to the modern democratic state.
2. Examine the various forms of language policy that a state can adopt.
3. Outline the main features of the language revival effort in Quebec
4. Outline the main features of the language revival effort in Catalonia and the Basque Country
5. Outline the main features of the language revival effort in Wales
6. Discuss and evaluate the various normative arguments used to show why we should worry about the prospects of minority languages.
7. Discuss and evaluate the extent to which language revival should be treated as a matter of justice
8. Discuss and evaluate the extent to which speakers of minority languages should be able to claim certain provisions as a matter of right.
Brief description
Firstly, the module will discuss issues such as the various forms of language policy that can be adopted by modern states and also some of the dominant theories concerning how language revival programs should be structured. It will then build on the knowledge gained during this first section by moving on to look at a series of language revival case studies. This will allow students to gain a detailed understanding of the various social, economic and political factors that influence a language'r prospects. Finally, the module will discuss some of the important normative questions that must be faced when steps are taken to revive the prospects of minority languages. To what extent should we worry about a language'r decline? To what extent should we treat the revival of a minority language as a matter of justice? To what extent should individuals be able to claim certain linguistic provisions as a matter of right? This module will be available to students studying through the medium of Welsh and English.
Content
- Language Policy and the Modern State
- Forms of Language Policy
- Theories of Language Revival
- Language revival in practice: Quebec, Catalonia, The Basque Country, Wales
- Should we worry about language decline?
- Language Revival and Justice
- Language Rights
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6