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2010/1 Module Catalogue
 Module Code: CMCM013 Module Title: GLOBAL DIVERSITY IN LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION
Module Provider: English Short Name: LCM514
Level: M Module Co-ordinator: CHUMAKINA M Dr (English)
Number of credits: 15 Number of ECTS credits: 7.5
 
Module Availability

Spring 2 hours per week

Assessment Pattern

Components of Assessment
Method(s)
Percentage Weighting
 3,000 word essay
Coursework
100%

 The essay will be marked according the following criteria and weightings:
 

Criterion
Weighting
Idependence of thought
30%
Grasp of theoretical concepts, theories and framework
30%
Analytical rigour and coherence of arguments
30%
Presentation/Organization/Style (including referencing, use of secondary sources, bibliography)
10%

 
Module Overview
In order to understand how human communication works we need to examine the variety of systems to be found, some of which differ drastically from what we know and what we might expect.

We examine the  relationship between language, culture and cognition. We also explore these topics in relation to the international spread of English and English as a Lingua Franca.

 

 

 

Prerequisites/Co-requisites

None

Module Aims

This module, which assumes no prior knowledge of languages other than English, introduces students to the diversity found in the world’s languages. We start by considering the defining properties of human language as opposed to other communicative systems.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

SUBJECT SPECIFIC SKILLS 

  • define human language in relation to other communicative systems 
  • classify languages using different means and identify their implications
  • appreciate multilingualism and the functions of languages 
  • appreciate the role of English in relation to other languages and English as a Lingua Franca 
  • appreciate the diversity in linguistic categorization and the complexity of the relationship between language, cognition and culture

GENERAL 

  • The ability to formulate, defend and sustain arguments in both written and oral form on complex issues 
  • The ability to carry out independent research for essays on assigned topics 
  • The ability to differentiate methods for classifying languages
Module Content

What is Language?

Human vs animal
Language vs dialect  

Linguistic determinism and linguistic relativity

Space
Colour 
Number

The role of English

World Englishes
English as a Lingua Franca

Multilingualism

As a normal state 
Code-switching 
Different languages for different purposes (religion, culture)  

 

 

 

 

 

 

The World’s languages, their distribution and status

Genetic/Historical Classification 
Areal Classification 
Identification codes for languages  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Methods of Teaching/Learning

Total student learning time 150 hours.

Sessions will consist of a formal lecture on a topic for which the students will have completed an assigned reading in advance. A reader will be provided by the instructor. There will be the opportunity for group and whole class discussion.

Selected Texts/Journals

ESSENTIAL

Crystal, D. (1997) The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language. 2nd ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 

RECOMMENDED

Berlin , B. & Kay P. (1999) Basic Color Terms: Their Universality and Evolution. Stanford, California : CSLI. 

Comrie, B. (1985) Tense. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Comrie, B. (ed) (1989) The World's Major Languages. Reprinted with revisions and additions. London : Routledge.

Corbett, G. (1991) Gender. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Corbett, G. (2000) Number. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Edwards, J. (1994) Multilingualism. London : Routledge. 

Jenkins, J. (2007) English as a Lingua Franca: Attitude and Identity. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Jenkins, J. (2009) World Englishes. (2nd Edition) London : Routledge.

Karmiloff, K. & Karmiloff-Smith, A. (2001) Pathways to Language: From Fetus to Adolescent. Harvard: Harvard University Press.

Levinson, S. (2003) Space in Language and Cognition. Cambridge
University Press.

Maynard-Smith, J. &. Dunbar , R.I.M. 59–76. (Proceedings of the British Academy 88.) Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Wakelin, M. F. (1977) English dialects: an Introduction. London : Athlone Press.

 

 

Last Updated

1 September 2010