Module Identifier EL10310  
Module Title LANGUAGE IN SOCIETY  
Academic Year 2000/2001  
Co-ordinator Dr Winifred Davies  
Semester Semester 1  
Other staff Dr Winifred Davies, Professor David Trotter  
Course delivery Lecture   12 Hours  
  Seminars / Tutorials   3 Hours  
Assessment Exam   2 Hours written exam.   70%  
  Continuous assessment   One essay (1,500 words)   30%  

Brief description
An introduction to socio-linguistics, this course aims to show how trends and developments in language are often related to developments in society. The main basis for any conclusions as to the nature of the relationship between language and society will be provided by an examination of linguistic variation.

After a general introduction to the field of sociolinguistics and a discussion of different approaches to the study of language in society, students will consider the effect of social factors, such as socio-economic class, ethnic group, gender and situation on language use.

Learning outcomes
By the end of this module students will have gained an insight into the social meaning of language by acquiring a knowledge of some of the main areas of contemporary sociolinguistics. Furrthermore, they will have learnt to assess critically theoretical and methodological aspects of the discipline. As a result of writing an essay and taking part in seminars they will also have learnt how to carry out independent research, how to analyse the material they have read, and how to express themselves coherently and cogently both orally and in writing.

Reading Lists
Books
** Essential Reading
J. Holmes. (1992) An Introduction to Sociolinguistics. Longman
P. Trudgill. (1983) Sociolinguistics. 2nd. Penguin
R. Wardhaugh. (1992) An Introduction to Sociolinguistics. Blackwell