Undergraduate Course: LEL2C: English in Time and Space (LASC08019)
Course Outline
| School | School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 2 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 20 |
| Home subject area | Language Sciences |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | This course provides students with a detailed introduction to variation in English over time and across geographical space. The course takes a narrative approach to the history of the language, beginning with the 'pre-historical' period and the languages of early Britain, and ending with the spread of English across the world, and its status as the global language of the twenty-first century. Throughout, changes associated with the external history of the language are discussed in tandem with systemic changes affecting the phonology, morphology and syntax of different varieties of English. Students will be introduced to principles of historical linguistics, dialectology and sociolinguistics as they apply to varieties of English. They will also become familiar with the basic structural characteristics of the main periods of English in Britain (Old, Middle and Modern English), and with the formal and functional characteristics of some new Englishes (e.g. those in Africa and India). The development of English and Scots in Scotland is a further notable feature of the course. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
Students MUST have passed:
Linguistics & English Language 1 (LASC08015)
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Visiting students should usually have at least 1 introductory level Language Science course at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this) for entry to this course. We will only consider University/College level courses. |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
After taking this course, students will be able to:
- describe some of the features of earlier English
- describe some of the features of global varieties of contemporary English
- discuss the function of English in different communities at different points in time
- understand some of the basic principles of historical linguistics, sociolinguistics and dialectology
- apply some of these principles in order to analyse data from varieties of English
- analyse texts (written and spoken) from different periods of English
- analyse texts (written and spoken) produced by users of English in communities across the modern world.
|
Assessment Information
1 essay of 2,500 words (50%)
1 exam (including textual analysis) (50%)
|
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Bauer, L. 2002. An Introduction to International Varieties of English. Edinburgh: EUP.
Crystal, D. 2003. English as a Global Language. 2nd edition. Cambridge: CUP.
Hogg, R.M. (ed.) 1992-2001. The Cambridge History of the English Language. Cambridge: CUP.
Jones, C. (ed.) 1997. The Edinburgh History of the Scots Language. Edinburgh: EUP.
Melchers, G & P. Shaw. 2003. World Englishes. Oxford: OUP.
Mugglestone, L. (ed.) 2006. The Oxford History of English. Oxford: OUP.
Trask, R.L. 1996. Historical Linguistics. London: Arnold.
|
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Warren Maguire
Tel:
Email: |
Course secretary | Ms Stephanie Fong
Tel:
Email: |
|
|
University Homepage