Course Title: Language and Society

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Language and Society

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

LANG1390

City Campus

Postgraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2022,
Sem 2 2024

Course Coordinator: Dr. Anamaria Ducasse

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 9769

Course Coordinator Email: anamaria.ducasse@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Building 37, Floor 5, Room 45

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

In this course you will examine ways in which social and interpersonal factors such as gender, class, ethnicity and regional differences influence language variation. 

Other topics covered include language change over time, language contact, language attitudes, and social aspects of interaction and style.   

You will also examine the main methods of sociolinguistic research and explore language and new media (for example email, SMS, Twitter etc.), and situational variation in language (formal vs. informal; written vs. spoken). 


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This is an optional course in the Master of Translating and Interpreting, MC214. 


 Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to: 

  • Critically analyse the ways in which social and interpersonal factors influence language and intercultural communication.
  • Reflect on the application of concepts and theories in the field of sociolinguistics to sociolinguistic research.
  • Critically evaluate sociolinguistic theories and concepts and apply to different language contexts.


Overview of Learning Activities

You will be engaged in learning that involves a range of activities both face-to-face and online such as lectures, seminars, guest speakers, the presentation of audio-visual materials, and interactive tutorial activities including group- based discussion and problem-solving tasks.  
 
You will be expected to actively contribute to the construction of a supportive learning environment, in which peer-based learning will be an important component. Participation in discussions and activities, and engagement with the weekly reading materials is expected.  


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems.

Learning resources will consist of recommended references and class notes which may be accessed through "myRMIT" if you are in Melbourne and via "Canvas" if you are based in Vietnam. 

The set of references is deliberately broad, including books, journal publications, government reports, industry standards and handbooks, and web-based resources.  

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal. 


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course learning outcomes and on your development throughout the course.  

Assessment Tasks
Progressive Assessments 
Assessment Task 1: Reflective Journals 30% (CLO1, CLO2)
Assessment Task 2: Paired Case Study 30%  (CLO1, CLO3)

Final Assessment 
Assessment Task 3: Essay 40% (CLO1, CLO2, CLO3)

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks. 

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more. 

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions.