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Unit outline_

LNGS3696: Multilingualism

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

This unit addresses various aspects of multilingualism, focusing on the socio-political dimension, exploring areas including languages in contact, language maintenance, shift and endangerment, language policy, and education. It aims to provide a nuanced understanding and appreciation of diversity and multilingualism, and their significance not just for linguistic study but also for policy, education, socialisation, and sustainability.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Linguistics
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
12 credit points at 2000 level in the Linguistics major
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Lisa Lim, lisa.ls.lim@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Final paper
Academic essay/ research paper/ case study
30% Formal exam period 2000 wds
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Presentation Cocktail-party presentation (Project, part I)
Presentation (part I of staged multi-platform research project)
15% Multiple weeks 5 mins (500 words equivalent)
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Reflection/ impact writing
Critical reflection writing/ writing for non-academic audience
20% Multiple weeks 2 x 500 wds
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Website/blog (Project, part II)
Output on non-academic platform (part II, staged research project)
35% Week 12 Equivalent of 2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment will be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

Refer to Coursework Policy and 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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

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 Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO6
Week 02 Multilingualism and code choice Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 03 Mixing languages Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 04 Language maintenance, shift, endangerment Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 05 Ethnolinguistic vitality, social networks Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 06 Language attitudes Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 Language policy and planning Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 08 Governance and public health Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 09 Mobility Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 10 Education in a multilingual world Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 11 Economic development and new roles for minority languages Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 12 Looking back, looking forward Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

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.

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. Identify and critique relevant issues relating to the study of multilingualism, and apply theoretical knowledge to real-world social and linguistic data.
  • LO2. Critically and creatively evaluate established knowledge and apply it to novel contexts.
  • LO3. Appreciate and engage in interdisciplinary explorations and cross-cultural perspectives in the study of multilingualism.
  • LO4. Critically assess one’s own and others’ viewpoints and communicative practices in discussions, presentations, and peer feedback for productive, collaborative exchange in diverse groups.
  • LO5. Able to communicate issues of multilingualism not only in academic contexts but also on public platforms for the intelligent layperson in an accessible and engaging manner.
  • LO6. Recognise and advocate social and political issues in the area of multilingualism in order to be able to make intelligent, significant and responsible contributions to society for sustainability and the advancement of the human condition.

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.

This is the first time this unit is being offered in this form.

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.