B2473 - Language with Oral and Written Practical Exercises (Second Language English) I

Learning outcomes

In this course, you will develop knowledge and understanding of sociolinguistic aspects of English, focusing on how English varies across different social contexts, groups, regions, and cultures. You will acquire knowledge of different theoretical frameworks and empirical case studies that examine English usage and change in varieties of English worldwide.

Course contents

This course covers both traditional and contemporary approaches to the sociolinguistics of English:

• Variation in English across space and time
• Accents, dialects, and varieties of English
• Language repertoires, registers, genres, and resources
• Language attitudes and ideologies
• Social variation and social networks
• Social and linguistic variables, communities of practice, and social identity
• Belonging, multiliteracy, and multimodality
• Networked multilingualism, code-mixing, crossing, and translanguaging
• Situational code-switching
• Language, style, and identity
• Overt and covert language attitudes and stereotypes, including mocking and appropriation
• Language and sexism
• Language and racism
• Linguistic landscapes and language mobility
• Language contact, flows, migration, and superdiversity
• Research ethics and methods in sociolinguistics

Readings/Bibliography

Required text book:

Rodney Jones, & Christiana hemistocleous (2022). Introducing Language and Society. Cambridge University Press.

Supplemental material available on companion website: www.cambridge.org/jones-themisocleous

Teaching methods

Traditional lectures, discussions, group work, multimedia presentations, and "flipped" classroom.

Assessment methods

Learning assessment scale:

30-30L (excellent): Excellent, in-depth knowledge of the course content, excellent ability to apply theoretical concepts, excellent exposition, as well as excellent capacity for critical analysis.

27-29 (above average): Accurate and extensive knowledge of content, good ability to apply theoretical concepts, ability for critical analysis, accurate and correct exposition.

24-26 (generally sound): Appropriate content knowledge, fair ability to apply theoretical concepts and to present content.

21-23 (sufficient): Appropriate but not extensive knowledge of content, partial ability to apply theoretical concepts, presentation of content acceptable.

18-20 (minimum): Sufficient but superficial knowledge of content, simple exposition, uncertainties in the application of theoretical concepts.

Failed (insufficient): Fragmented and superficial knowledge of content, errors in applying concepts, poor exposition. The exam must be repeated.

Students with specific learning difficulties (SpLD) or with disabilities that can affect their ability to attend courses are invited to contact the University service for students with disabilities and SLD at the earliest opportunity -- ideally before the start of the course: https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students. The University service will suggest possible adjustments to the course work and/or exam, which must then be submitted to the course leader so they can assess their feasibility, in line with the learning objectives of the course. Please note that adjustments to the exam must be requested at least two weeks in advance.

Teaching tools

Slides, videos, films and documentaries, bibliography and other material, all made available on the e-platform Virtuale in the dedicated section.

Office hours

See the website of Giulia Bencini