UCJAJNP038 Introduction to Sociolinguistics

Faculty of Philosophy and Science in Opava
Winter 2024
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
prof. Mgr. Jan Chovanec, Ph.D. (lecturer)
prof. Mgr. Jan Chovanec, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
prof. Mgr. Jan Chovanec, Ph.D.
Institute of Foreign Languages – Faculty of Philosophy and Science in Opava
Timetable
Fri 4. 10. 14:45–17:10 H10, Fri 1. 11. 14:45–17:10 H5, Fri 6. 12. 14:45–17:10 H2
  • Timetable of Seminar Groups:
UCJAJNP038/A: Fri 4. 10. 17:15–20:30 H10, Fri 1. 11. 17:15–20:30 H5, Fri 6. 12. 17:15–20:30 H2, J. Chovanec
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
This survey course explores various approaches to the study of language that take into account the relationship between language and culture, language and society, and language users themselves. The course has two components: it examines language variation on a macro level, covering traditional topics such as social and regional variation in the framework of traditional sociolinguistics, as well as on a micro level, focusing on specific interactions between speakers using approaches from discourse analysis and pragmatics. The course includes examples of contemporary research (case studies) related to the analysis of the relationship between language and society, as well as work on individual and group projects.
Learning outcomes
The student will be able to: Understand various approaches to language study and their social aspects; Identify and apply key linguistic terminology related to languages, dialects, varieties, genres, and registers; Explain concepts in contact linguistics, including pidgins and creoles; Analyze code-mixing, code-switching, and multilingualism in different contexts; Examine language variation through the lens of sociolinguistics; Understand processes of language change and language planning; Assess the functions of solidarity and politeness in communication; Apply principles of conversation analysis and preference structures.
Syllabus
1. Introduction – Approaches to Language Study, Social Aspects of Linguistics 2. Basic Terminology – Languages, Dialects, Varieties, Genres, Registers 3. Contact Linguistics – Pidgins and Creoles 4. Code-Mixing and Code-Switching, Multilingualism 5. Variationist Sociolinguistics 6. Language Change, Language Planning 7. Language and Culture, Language and Gender 8. Linguistic Landscape: Language and Semiotics in Physical Space 9. Solidarity and Politeness 10. Language and the Construction of Personal and Group Identities 11. Conversation, Conversation Analysis, Preference Structures 12. Analysis of Language in Social Media 13. Final Test – Examination
Literature
    required literature
  • Bell, Allan (2014) The Guidebook to Sociolinguistics. Malden MA and Oxford: Wiley Blackwell. Wardhaugh, Ronald and Janet M. Fuller (2021) An Introduction to Sociolinguistics, 8th ed. Wiley Blackwell.
Teaching methods
lecture, seminar
Assessment methods
75% attendance, final exam
Language of instruction
English
The course is also listed under the following terms Winter 2023.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.slu.cz/course/fpf/winter2024/UCJAJNP038