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| Semester | fall semester 2008 |
| Course frequency | Irregular |
| Lecturers | Danièle Klapproth Muazzin (daniele.klapproth@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | TIn this seminar we will seek out ways of thinking critically about the position of English in the world, focusing on the cultural and political implications of the global spread of English. It is not only the sheer number of English (first and second language) speakers that give this language particular clout, but also the fact that English has become the main language of the media, of international business, science and technology. English has thus become one of the most powerful means of access to further education, employment, and prestigious social positions. It has even been argued that English is a 'Trojan horse', a language of imperialism and of particular class interests, a language also that poses a threat to linguistic and cultural diversity. Examining how culture, language and discourse operate within global relations of power, we will engage critically with these issues. We will address such dimensions as the relationship of English to indigenous languages, the role of language policies and language attitudes, the legacies of colonial discourses and practices, as well as the changes that English is undergoing in this globalising process. |
| Learning objectives | Our overall aim will be to deepen our understanding of the role of English in the present-day world and to explore its linguistic, cultural, and political implications. |
| Bibliography | A reader will be made available. |
| Comments | optional seminar paper |
| Weblink | to be announced |
| Admission requirements | Open to post-introductory students (3rd year onwards) who have completed all the necessary requirements of the first two years of their studies in English linguistics |
| Course application | Students need to register by email to Daniele.Klapproth(at)unibas.ch. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
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No dates available. Please contact the lecturer.
| Modules |
Modul Focusing on the Discipline (Linguistics) (Bachelor's degree subject: Englisch) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | regular and active participation; oral 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 | Englisches Seminar |