Skip to main content
NounStudy
Back to Course Catalog
ENG856Arts2 Unitsintermediate

ADVANCED SOCIOLINGUISTICS

This course explores advanced concepts in sociolinguistics, examining the intricate relationship between language and society. It delves into the origins of sociolinguistics, basic concepts, and various orientations within the field. The course also investigates the politics of linguistic differences, language variation, and change, including the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis. Furthermore, it examines global-scale sociolinguistics, focusing on contact linguistics, language planning, and policy, providing a comprehensive understanding of the social dimensions of language.

Generate AI Study Notes

Transform this course into personalized study materials with AI

52h
Study Time
13
Weeks
4h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
SociolinguisticsLanguage VariationLanguage PolicyBilingualismSpeech Community

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

Sociolinguistics

2

Language Variation

3

Language Change

4

Speech Community

5

Language Policy

6

Contact Linguistics

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 assessments

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

Linguist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Language Policy Analyst

Apply your skills in this growing field

Sociolinguist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Translator

Apply your skills in this growing field

Interpreter

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

EducationGovernmentMediaInternational RelationsLinguistics Research

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Background to Sociolinguistics

4h

Unit 1: Background

4 study hours
  • •Read Unit 1: Understand the origins of the asocial view of language.
  • •Define sociolinguistics and its beginnings.
  • •Explore the motivations for the development of sociolinguistics.
Week
2

Module 1: Background to Sociolinguistics

4h

Unit 2: Basic Concepts in Sociolinguistics

4 study hours
  • •Define and discuss basic terms in sociolinguistics.
  • •Explain the social significance of sociolinguistic terminologies.
  • •Explore the interconnections between Language, Culture, and Society.
Week
3

Module 1: Background to Sociolinguistics

4h

Unit 3: Orientations in Sociolinguistics

4 study hours
  • •Identify the major orientations in sociolinguistics.
  • •Discuss the main focus of micro and macro sociolinguistics.
  • •Explore new directions and subfields like Pragmatics and Discourse Analysis.
Week
4

Module 2: The Politics of Linguistic Differences and Domination

4h

Unit 1 -Variability and Language Theory

4 study hours
  • •Know the background to the variability concept in sociolinguistics.
  • •Understand the nature and scope of the concept of variability.
  • •Explain the connection between variability and language theory.
Week
5

Module 2: The Politics of Linguistic Differences and Domination

4h

Unit 2: The Notion of the Speech Community

4 study hours
  • •Understand the nature of the speech community.
  • •Explain the importance of the speech community in sociolinguistic enquiry.
  • •Distinguish between a speech community and a language community.
Week
6

Module 2: The Politics of Linguistic Differences and Domination

4h

Unit 3: Language Differentiations Social Practice

4 study hours
  • •Understand the concept of language differentiation.
  • •Understand the different dimensions of language differentiation.
  • •Explain the sociolinguistic dynamics of language differentiation.
Week
7

Module 2: The Politics of Linguistic Differences and Domination

4h

Unit 4: Variety in English

4 study hours
  • •Understand the concept of a language variety.
  • •Discuss the various social dimensions of language varieties.
  • •Explore formal, usage, and global varieties.
Week
8

Module 3: Language Variation and Change

4h

Unit 1: Language Variation: Linguistic Dimensions

4 study hours
  • •Understand the concept of language variation and change.
  • •Explain the models of language variation.
  • •Discuss types of variation in language.
Week
9

Module 3: Language Variation and Change

4h

Unit 2: Language Variation: Social Dimensions

4 study hours
  • •Understand the concept of language variation.
  • •Explain factors responsible for language variation.
  • •Discuss the diachronic/historical dimensions of language variation.
Week
10

Module 3: Language Variation and Change

4h

Unit 3: Linguistic Determinism and Language Relativity: The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

4 study hours
  • •Understand the relationship between language and society.
  • •Understand the principles of the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis.
  • •Explain the connections between language relativity and linguistic determinism.
Week
11

Module 4: Global-Scale Sociolinguistics

4h

Unit 1: Contact Linguistics

4 study hours
  • •Understand the Contact Linguistics and its dynamics.
  • •Understand the motivations for language contact.
  • •Discuss the major consequences of language contact.
Week
12

Module 4: Global-Scale Sociolinguistics

4h

Unit 2: Language Planning

4 study hours
  • •Understand what language planning means.
  • •Understand the motivation for language planning.
  • •Understand how multilingualism works in modern society.
Week
13

Module 4: Global-Scale Sociolinguistics

4h

Unit 3: Language Policy

4 study hours
  • •Know what language policy is all about.
  • •Understand the importance of language policy.
  • •Explain the types of language policy.

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.

Access PDF Material

Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create concept maps linking key sociolinguistic theories from Modules 1-3.

2

Focus on understanding the different types of language variation and their social implications (Units 2-4).

3

Review case studies on language policy and planning from Module 4.

4

Practice applying the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis to analyze real-world communication scenarios.

5

Prepare detailed notes on key terms and concepts from each unit, focusing on definitions and examples.

Related Courses

Other courses in Arts that complement your learning

ENG814

Studies In African Oral Literature

3 Units
CRS841

God and Revelation

3 Units
CRS856

Conflict Management

2 Units
View All Arts Courses