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38006-01 - Research seminar: Style in language (4 CP)
| Semester | fall semester 2014 |
| Course frequency | Irregular |
| Lecturers | Miriam Locher (miriam.locher@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | In this course we will tackle the notion of style as discussed in different branches of linguistics. To quote Rickford and Eckert (2001: 1) on the importance of this concept: “Style is a pivotal construct in the study of sociolinguistic variation. Stylistic variability in speech affords us the possibility of observing linguistic change in progress … . Moreover, since all individuals and social groups have stylistic repertoires, the styles in which they are recorded must be taken into account when comparing them ... . Finally, style is the locus of the individual’s internalization of broader social distributions of variation … .” As you will discover, style is not easily defined, nor easily studied. Using Eckert and Rickford’s (2001) collection Style and Sociolinguistic Variation as a starting point, you will be introduced to different approaches to the study of linguistic variation, including anthropological and sociolinguistic (Labovian) frameworks, accommodation theory, corpus linguistics and stylistics. We will also deal with style in connection with identity construction, relational work and stance and will work with data from face-to-face and written contexts. |
| Learning objectives | At the end of this course students know about the concept of style, stance, genre, and register and have learnt which linguistic disciplines approach data with what kind of methodologies. On the basis of this knowledge students will be able to develop their own research questions and research designs. |
| Bibliography | Please purchase the following book: Eckert, Penelope and John Rickford, eds. (2001). Style and Sociolinguistic Variation. Cambridge: CUP. Further literature will be made available in OLAT. |
| Weblink | OLAT |
| Admission requirements | MA level |
| Course application | Please register for this course in MOnA and in OLAT. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | Online, mandatory |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
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No dates available. Please contact the lecturer.
| Modules |
Modul English Linguistics (Master's degree subject: English) Modul English Sociolinguistics & Cognitive Linguistics (Master's degree subject: English (Start of studies before 01.08.2013)) Modul Forschungspraxis und Vertiefung (Master's degree program: Language and Communication) Modul Research in English Linguistics (Master's degree subject: English) Modul Research Skills in English Linguistics or Literature (Master's degree subject: English (Start of studies before 01.08.2013)) Modul Sprache und Gesellschaft (Master's degree program: Language and Communication) Modul Texte und Diskurse (Master's degree program: Language and Communication (Start of studies before 01.08.2013)) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | Written assignment, active participation and presentation |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, studadmin-philhist@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Fachbereich Englische Sprach- und Literaturwissenschaft |