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ENGL2006 Language, Culture and Society (2019-2020 Semester 1)
Mon 9:30 am – 12:20 pm (HK Time)
Instructor: Dr. Benedict Rowlett
Email: browlett@hkbu.edu.hk
Office: OEW 1110
Office hours: By appointment
1. AIMS & OBJECTIVES
1) Helping students understand the interaction between social systems and language varieties;
2) Helping students to examine the notions of standard and non-standard varieties of a
language, especially as they relate to the language situation in Hong Kong;
3) Helping students understand how language use differs across individuals and groups based
on social class, gender, identity, and ethnicity;
4) Helping students understand how language ideologies and attitudes impact language
policies and language education.
2. COURSE CONTENT
I. Introduction of key concepts such as speech community, standard and vernacular
language, accent and dialect, and sociolinguistic variables
II. Regional and social variation; language change
III. Bilingualism, multilingualism & code-switching
IV. Language attitudes and stereotypes
V. Language policies and education
3. COURSE INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (CILOS)
CILO By the end of the course, students should be able to:
CILO 1 Demonstrate understanding of the interrelationship between linguistic
and social phenomena
CILO 2 Demonstrate familiarity with sociolinguistic phenomena
CILO 3 Present evidence from different social and cultural contexts which
demonstrates that language differs across individuals and social groups
CILO 4 Present and discuss different theories attempting to explain why
language differs across individuals and social groups
CILO 5 Interpret authentic sociolinguistic data, relate them to relevant theory,
and discuss their implications
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ENGL2006 Language, PILO1 PILO2 PILO3 PILO4 PILO5 PILO6
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Scholarsh c Proficien Skills k/
CILOs/ PILOs ip Perspectiv
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CILO 1 Students should
be able to
demonstrate
understanding of
the
interrelationship
between linguistic
and social
phenomena
CILO 2 Students should
be able to
demonstrate
familiarity with
sociolinguistic
phenomena
CILO 3 Students should
be able to present
evidence from
different social
and cultural
contexts which
demonstrates that
language differs
across individuals
and social groups
CILO 4 Students should
be able to present
and discuss
different theories
attempting to
explain why
language differs
across individuals
and social groups
CILO 5 Students should
be able to
interpret authentic
sociolinguistic
data, relate them
to relevant theory,
and discuss their
implications
Total 4 0 2 0 3 0
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4. TEACHING & LEARNING ACTIVITIES (TLAS)
CILO Type of TLA
No.
CILO 1 Discuss relevant cases, and examples of authentic data, in groups and
present their findings
Discuss relevant cases, and examples of authentic data, in groups and
CILO 2 present their findings
Complete a take-home assignment which will assess their familiarity
with the readings and with sociolinguistic terminology
CILO 3 Discuss relevant cases, and examples of authentic data, in groups and
present their findings
Participate regularly in class discussions and/or Chat Forums about
CILO 4
assigned topics or sociolinguistic issues which have been discussed in
class
CILO 5 Complete oral and written assignments in which they describe and
interpret authentic data
5. ASSESSMENT METHODS (AMS)
Type of CILOs
Assessment Weightin to be Description of Assessment Tasks
Methods g addressed
Coursework 50% 1-5 Assignments will test students’ writing as
well as presentation skills and assess
students’ ability to describe and interpret
authentic data.
E-pedagogy may also be used, including
gathering and analyzing data via social
media and/or other digital tools and
visiualization aids (word cloud, mobile
device in-class survey, and/or coding).
Examination 50% 1-5 A number of set questions (usually six)
from which the students chose 3. All
questions require students to present and
discuss evidence from the sociolinguistic
literature, and discuss social issues (some
of them local) which are related to
language use.
6. LANGUAGE MEDIUM
This course is taught in English
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7. A NOTE ON ATTENDANCE
Students are expected to attend and participate actively in all scheduled classes for which they
have registered.
8. WEEKLY SCHEDULE
WEEK TOPIC KEY READINGS
1 INTRODUCTION – WHAT IS SOCIOLINGUISTICS? THE LINGUISTIC FACTS OF LIFE
2 VARIATION
3 STYLE THE MEANING OF STYLE
4 INDEXING SOCIAL RELATIONS
5 POLITENESS MITIGATION ON THE MINIBUS
6 TURN TAKING IN INTERACTION
7 SEQUENCES OF SOCIAL ACTION RUDENESS AS A DISCURSIVE STRATEGY
8 LANGUAGE CHOICE
9 LANGUAGE POLICY AND PLANNING HONG KONG’S ENGLISH LANGUAGE POLICY
10 LANGUAGE ATTITUDES AND IDEOLOGY
11 DISCOURSE AND SOCIAL INEQUALITY CRITICAL SOCIOLINGUISTICS
12 PRESENTATIONS 1
13 PRESENTATIONS 2
*The above schedule is suggestive. The actual teaching progress may be slightly different
from the above schedule.
9. TEXTBOOK
There is no set textbook for this course. The instructor will provide articles for required reading
and discussion. A list of supplementary references will also be provided.
10. ASSESSED ACTIVITIES
Group video project 30%
~ a student created video that showcases issues of language, culture and society
Take-home assignment 20%
~ a task for students to conduct an analysis of authentic sociolinguistic data
Examination 50%
~ A number of set questions in which students present and discuss evidence from the
sociolinguistic literature.
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