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Unit of study_

LNGS1002: Language and Social Context

Semester 2, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit introduces the study of the interrelationship between language and society. It is concerned with phenomena of language change and how that leads to varieties in a language. How are these varieties linked to social differences? What distinguishes male speech from female speech or what are the linguistic styles of different social classes or ethnic groups? What is slang, or jargon, and what distinguishes a casual conversation from an interview?

Unit details and rules

Unit code LNGS1002
Academic unit Linguistics
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Gwendolyn Hyslop, gwendolyn.hyslop@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Lisa Lim, lisa.ls.lim@sydney.edu.au
Umberto Ansaldo, umberto.ansaldo@sydney.edu.au
Gwendolyn Hyslop, gwendolyn.hyslop@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Mahmuda Akter, mahmuda.akter@sydney.edu.au
Janette Thambyrajah, janette.thambyrajah@sydney.edu.au
Weijian Meng, weijian.meng@sydney.edu.au
Aurelie Mallet, aurelie.mallet@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Take-home extended release) Type E final exam Final (take-home) exam
2000 words
40% Formal exam period 48 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Online task Assignment 1
This assignment is an online quiz; link in Canvas
8% Week 04
Due date: 18 Sep 2020 at 23:59
250 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Online task Assignment 2
n/a
8% Week 06
Due date: 02 Oct 2020 at 23:59
250 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2
In-semester test (Open book) Type C in-semester exam Mid-term in-class exam
20% Week 08
Due date: 21 Oct 2020 at 11:00

Closing date: 21 Oct 2020
50 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Online task Assignment 3
n/a
8% Week 09
Due date: 30 Oct 2020 at 23:59
250 words
Outcomes assessed: LO3
Online task Assignment 4
n/a
8% Week 11
Due date: 13 Nov 2020 at 23:59
250 words
Outcomes assessed: LO4
Online task Assignment 5
n/a
8% Week 12
Due date: 22 Nov 2020 at 23:59
250 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Type C in-semester exam = Type C in-semester exam ?
Type E final exam = Type E final exam ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information can be found on Canvas

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction Online class (3 hr)  
Week 02 Language variation Online class (3 hr)  
Week 03 Language Variation Online class (3 hr)  
Week 04 Language variation Online class (3 hr)  
Week 05 Language variation Online class (3 hr)  
Week 06 Language in global settings Online class (3 hr)  
Week 07 Language in global settings Online class (3 hr)  
Week 08 Language in use Online class (3 hr)  
Week 09 Language in use Online class (3 hr)  
Week 10 Language in use Online class (3 hr)  
Week 11 Language, power and society Online class (3 hr)  
Week 12 Language, power and society Online class (3 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
  • Lecture recording: Lectures  will be recorded and made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.
  • Preparation: Students should commit to spending approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed on the Library eReserve link available on Canvas. 

  • Textbook: Mesthrie, Rajend, Swann, Joan, Deumert, Ana and William L. Leap 2009. Introducing Sociolinguistics. (2nd edition). Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
  • Additional readings will be shared via the unit LMS

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate an understanding of basic facts about variation of linguistic practices in speech communities around the world, and the relation of these practices to social variables including socioeconomic class, gender and sexuality, ethnic identity, generation and dis/ability
  • LO2. demonstrate an understanding of principles by which language is used in social interaction, including casual conversation and institutionalised exchanges
  • LO3. demonstrate knowledge of how language variation relates to language change, as cultures evolve, as individuals develop, and as discourse unfolds
  • LO4. demonstrate an understanding of first principles about methods of research on language in social contexts, including quantitative and qualitative methods, ethical considerations, and principles for communicating results.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

'No changes have been made since this unit was last offered'.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.