Fall 2018 - LING 160 D100

Language, Culture and Society (3)

Class Number: 4732

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2018: Wed, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2018: Fri, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Suzanne Hilgendorf
    skh7@sfu.ca
    1 778 782-8583

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An introduction to language in its social and cultural dimensions. Students who have taken LING 260 prior to Fall 2008 may not take LING 160 for further credit. Breadth-Social Sciences.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course examines how language essentially is a social phenomenon, something that is shaped and formed by those who use it (users) and their uses for it as they communicate. This shaping of a language in terms of distinct and changing sounds, grammatical forms, vocabulary, and phrasings varies from community to community, or different (cultural) contexts.

The course examines a wide range of sociolinguistic topics, including multilingual speech communities, language maintenance in speech communities, language loss, and language death. It further considers the phenomena of regional (e.g. Newfoundland English; Texas English) and social (e.g. the Queen’s English) dialects. It examines how language use varies according to social factors, such as ethnicity (African American Vernacular English), gender (Valley Girl English), age (youth language), and class/caste. The role of politeness and stereotypes in language use, variation (e.g. Can. “washroom” vs. Am. “restroom”), and the relationship between language and cognition are additional topics.

Grading

  • Participation in class (incl. attendance & in-class group work assignments) 15%
  • Participation in on-line discussion 10%
  • Exam 1 25%
  • Exam 2 25%
  • Exam 3 25%
  • No Final Exam

NOTES:

A detailed course outline will be distributed during the first week of classes.

This course may be applied towards the Certificate in Liberal Arts or the Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language, but not both.
Linguistics program students cannot count this course towards their breadth requirements unless in joint or double majors, extended minor, or double minors program.

Students should familiarize themselves with the Department's Standards on Class Management and Student Responsibilities at http://www.sfu.ca/linguistics/undergraduate/standards.html
Please note that a grade of “FD” (Failed-Dishonesty) may be assigned as a penalty for academic dishonesty.
All student requests for accommodations for their religious practices must be made in writing by the end of the first week of classes or no later than one week after a student adds a course.
Students requiring accommodations as a result of a disability must contact the Centre for Students with Disabilities (778-782-3112 or csdo@sfu.ca).

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Holmes, Janet, and Wilson, Nick (2017). An Introduction to Sociolinguistics (5th revised ed.) Routledge. ISBN: 9781138845015.
Please note that students are responsible for the content in this latest edition. The content of older editions is not identical to that of the latest edition.
A list of additional readings (available via Library Reserve) may be distributed in class.

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS