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| Semester | spring semester 2024 |
| Course frequency | Every spring sem. |
| Lecturers | Danièle Klapproth Muazzin (daniele.klapproth@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | This second part of the introduction to English linguistics builds on the first part, yet goes beyond the study of language as a system and addresses the interaction of language with its contexts and the many ways in which English varies across situations, speakers and spaces. The course will start off with an exploration of the construction and interpretation of meaning, including both semantic and pragmatic perspectives. Core issues in pragmatics, such as speech act theory, the use of indirectness, cooperativeness, and face work, will then be introduced to allow us to explore the dynamic aspects of communicative interaction. In the second part of the semester, students will familiarise themselves with some of the key concepts in sociolinguistics with its major focus on linguistic variation and the use of language in its social contexts. Issues of interest here will include the relationship between language and social identity and the linguistic encoding of power relations. We will explore how speakers adapt to different settings (functional variation, style, register), how larger sociodemographic variables like class and gender give rise to different linguistic varieties (sociolects), what regional dialects exist and on what levels of language they differ. We will also engage with some of the major issues regarding the study of World Englishes and the role of English as a lingua franca in a global context. The course thus covers the world of English as a dynamic language that is actively used by its speakers every day and around the world. |
| Learning objectives | Students will familiarise themselves with key concepts in semantics, pragmatics, sociolinguistics and the study of World Englishes, and they will gain experience in applying this knowledge to real-life contexts and language samples. |
| Bibliography | Bieswanger, Markus; Becker, Annette (2021): "Introduction to English Linguistics". 5th Ed. Tübingen: Narr. (Note: the 4th edition, published 2017, will be fine, too). Participants should buy this book in advance. Additional reading material will be made available online (using ADAM). |
| Weblink | ADAM |
| Admission requirements | Nur für Studierende des Studiengangs Lehrperson Sekundarstufe I der FHNW. Modulcode: FW.EN.1.3 |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | Online, mandatory |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Friday | 12.15-14.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 106 |
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 01.03.2024 | 12.15-14.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 106 |
| Friday 08.03.2024 | 12.15-14.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 106 |
| Friday 15.03.2024 | 12.15-14.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 106 |
| Friday 22.03.2024 | 12.15-14.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 106 |
| Friday 29.03.2024 | 12.15-14.00 | Ostern |
| Friday 05.04.2024 | 12.15-14.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 106 |
| Friday 12.04.2024 | 12.15-14.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 106 |
| Friday 19.04.2024 | 12.15-14.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 106 |
| Friday 26.04.2024 | 12.15-14.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 106 |
| Friday 03.05.2024 | 12.15-14.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 106 |
| Friday 10.05.2024 | 12.15-14.00 | Auffahrt |
| Friday 17.05.2024 | 12.15-14.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 106 |
| Friday 24.05.2024 | 12.15-14.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 106 |
| Friday 31.05.2024 | 12.15-14.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 106 |
| Modules |
Freier Wahlbereich: Empfehlungen (Bachelor's degree subject: English) |
| Assessment format | record of achievement |
| Assessment details | written exam (90 minutes) |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | one repetition, repetition counts |
| Scale | 1-6 0,5 |
| 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 |