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ENG453Social Sciences3 Unitsintermediate

Language And National Development

This course introduces students to the relationship between language and national development. It explores the nature of language, development, and national development, emphasizing the role language plays in fostering national progress. Students will examine relevant theories, paradigms, and objectives, including the Millennium Development Goals. The course also addresses the status and challenges of English language in Nigeria and its impact on various sectors.

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120h
Study Time
13
Weeks
9h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
LanguageNational DevelopmentMultilingualismNigeriaEnglish Language

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
📚
Math Level
No Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Language Definition

2

Functions of Language

3

Origin of Language

4

Language in Nigeria

5

National Development

6

Theories of Development

Total Topics6 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Tutor-Marked Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Final Examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Policy Advisor

Apply your skills in this growing field

Linguistic Analyst

Apply your skills in this growing field

Education Consultant

Apply your skills in this growing field

International Development Officer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

GovernmentEducationInternational RelationsNon-Profit Organizations

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Understanding Language

2h

Unit 1: The Concept of Language

2 study hours
  • •Read the unit introduction and objectives.
  • •Study the meaning of language according to Sapir, Stork and Widowson.
  • •Understand the relationship between language and human beings.
  • •List and discuss the characteristics of language.
  • •Attempt the self-assessment exercise.
Week
2

Module 1: Understanding Language

2h

Unit 2: Functions of Language

2 study hours
  • •List and discuss the various functions of language.
  • •Explain the referential function of language with examples.
  • •Explain the abnatural function of language.
  • •Demonstrate your understanding of the affective function of language.
  • •Give examples of phatic usage of language.
  • •Explain the recording and identifying functions of language.
Week
3

Module 1: Understanding Language

2h

Unit 3: The Origin of Language

2 study hours
  • •Identify various theories about the origin of language.
  • •Compare the divine source, natural sound source, social interaction source, physical adaptation source, and tool making source of language.
  • •Critically analyze the theories put forward as sources of language.
  • •Give reasons for or against the divine source origin of language.
Week
4

Module 1: Understanding Language

2h

Unit 4: The Language Situation in Nigeria

2 study hours
  • •Discuss the language situation in Nigeria, including the number of languages and their classification.
  • •Identify the foreign languages present in Nigeria and their influence.
  • •Show the extent of interaction between Nigerian languages and foreign languages.
  • •Name the three major languages in Nigeria and demarcate their areas of influence.
Week
5

Module 1: Understanding Language

2h

Unit 5: A Survey of Nigerian Language Families

2 study hours
  • •Define language family tree and state its importance.
  • •Trace the family tree of some of Nigeria's languages, including Chadic, Niger-Congo, and Nilo-Saharan languages.
  • •Explain what you understand as majority principle and the most natural development principle.
  • •Comment on the Chadic languages in Nigeria.
Week
6

Module 1: Understanding Language

2h

Unit 6: Language and Society

2 study hours
  • •Explain how cultural contacts influence language.
  • •Describe the relationship between language and power.
  • •Appreciate that all languages are equal.
  • •Describe how cultural contact influences change in language.
  • •Discuss the relationship between language and power.
  • •Demonstrate your understanding of the manner in which technology influences language change.
Week
7

Module 2: Understanding National Development

2h

Unit 1: Development

2 study hours
  • •Define development and identify its dimensions.
  • •Trace the history of development studies.
  • •Identify words confused with development, such as growth, modernization, and westernization.
  • •Critique development.
  • •Discuss what you think is wrong with Guzman's definition of development.
Week
8

Module 2: Understanding National Development

2h

Unit 2: Theories of Development

2 study hours
  • •Describe the various theories of development offered by scholars, including Adam Smith's theory of specialization, Auguste Comte's law of three stages, and Rostow's theory of five stages.
  • •Compare theories of development.
  • •Explain certain factors responsible for the development and non-development of nations.
  • •Discuss the impediment of non-specialization of labour to the development of a country.
Week
9

Module 2: Understanding National Development

2h

Unit 3: Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

2 study hours
  • •Define Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
  • •List the Millennium Development Goals.
  • •State the targets of each of the Millennium Development Goals.
  • •According to UN's definition of poverty, what is the characteristic of a person living in poverty?
  • •List three factors that contribute to low enrolment of girls in schools.
Week
10

Module 2: Understanding National Development

2h

Unit 4: National Development

2 study hours
  • •Define a nation and describe national development.
  • •Identify the faces of national development, including economic, political, and cultural aspects.
  • •Define national development.
  • •List the three faces of national development.
Week
11

Module 2: Understanding National Development

2h

Unit 5: Nigerian National Development Objectives

2 study hours
  • •Outline Nigeria's national development objectives.
  • •Discuss Nigeria's national objectives.
  • •Demonstrate your understanding of the relationship between freedom and democracy.
  • •Discuss the advantages of building a just and egalitarian society.
  • •Describe how we can achieve a strong and united nation.
Week
12

Module 3: Linking Language and National Development

2h

Unit 1: Tracing the Paradigms Shifts in National Development

2 study hours
  • •Define paradigm shift.
  • •Trace the paradigm shifts in national development.
  • •Discuss the various shifts in national development paradigms.
  • •Show your understanding of the factors that led to the rise and fall of emphasis on the physical paradigm as the engine of national development.
Week
13

Module 3: Linking Language and National Development

4h

Unit 2: The Relationship between Language and National Development

2 study hours
  • •State the relationship between language, thought, and national development.
  • •Describe how language communicates national development.
  • •Identify the role of language in documenting national development.
  • •Trace the connection between language, thought and national development.

Unit 3: Language and Nigerian National Development Objectives

2 study hours
  • •Describe the role language plays in ensuring a free and democratic Nigeria.
  • •Identify the role of language in ensuring national unity.
  • •Explain the role of language in building egalitarian Nigeria.
  • •Show the role of language in the building of a great and dynamic economy.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create flashcards for key terms and definitions from Units 1-3.

2

Practice essay questions on the relationship between language and national development.

3

Review examples of language policies from different countries.

4

Focus on understanding the core concepts of each theory of development.

5

Prepare a case study analyzing the language situation in a specific Nigerian community.

6

Create concept maps linking Units 3-5 development goals and objectives.

7

Review all TMAs and their feedback carefully.

8

Allocate specific time slots for each subject area during your study sessions.

9

Prioritize topics based on their weight in the final examination.

10

Get enough rest and maintain a healthy lifestyle during the exam period.

11

Practice past questions to get familiar with the exam format and time constraints.

12

Create summaries of key concepts and theories from each module.

13

Form a study group with classmates to discuss and clarify difficult topics.

14

Use online resources and videos to supplement your understanding of the course material.

15

Focus on understanding the practical applications of language concepts in real-world scenarios.

16

Review and practice the self-assessment exercises at the end of each unit.

17

Create a detailed study schedule and stick to it as closely as possible.

18

Identify your weak areas and dedicate extra time to studying them.

19

Take regular breaks during your study sessions to avoid burnout.

20

Stay positive and motivated throughout the exam preparation process.

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