Module overview
This final year module builds on the theoretical grounding students gained in LING 2011 Variation and Change in English and the instrumental analysis techniques from LING 2008 Sound and Voice. In Sociophonetic Project Module, students will put the theory and techniques into practice by designing and conducting their own small-scale sociolinguistic project.
The module will be computer lab-based and structured around a series of sessions that will equip students with a sociophonetic ‘toolkit’. The sessions will combine taught theory and practical methods. Sessions will start with a taught element to guide students through the supporting theory, followed by practical methodological skills session where students will put the theory into practice.
Linked modules
LING2011 or LING2008
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Subject Specific Practical Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Gain skills and expertise in phonetic coding of sociolinguistic data
- Gain skills and expertise in multivariate analysis of sociolinguistic data
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- The ability to relate specific and testable hypotheses to wider debates within the field
- The ability to relate sociolinguistic theory to broader issues in language and society.
- The ability to select and research suitable variables in order to test specific hypotheses
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Gain skills and expertise in data collection
- Gain skills and expertise in transcription of spoken data
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- The ability to engage with current sociolinguistic theory and use this to form original research questions
Syllabus
The module is likely to cover the following topics:
- Quantitative linguistic variation
- Sociolinguistic analysis methodology
- Language and identity
- Gender
- Age
- Ethnicity
- Language change
- Language across the lifespan
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching methods include
- Weekly 2-hour lab session consisting of lecture or demonstration followed by practical exercises which will contribute towards final project.
- 3 optional drop-in ‘trouble-shooting’ workshops
- A number of formative assignments to ensure project workload is managed
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Independent Study | 82 |
| Completion of assessment task | 40 |
| Teaching | 28 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
General Resources
Praat software. free computer program. Already installed on university network. http://www.fon.hum.uva.nl/praat/
Transcriber free computer software. Free - may need to be downloaded onto uni network. http://trans.sourceforge.net/en/presentation.php
Textbooks
Jack Chambers (2008). Sociolinguistic Theory. Oxford: Wiley Blackwell.
Sali Tagliamonte (2006). Analysing Sociolinguistic Variation. Cambridge: CUP.
Assessment
Summative
Summative assessment description
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Assignment | 10% |
| Analysis | 10% |
| A lab report | 10% |
| Research project Report | 60% |
| Analysis | 10% |
Referral
Referral assessment description
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Resubmit assessments | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External