LING 327 Language and Society
This course focuses on the mutual interactions of languages and human groups which use them. Using local examples, texts and their own experiences, students examine a variety of language attitudes, forms and choices to determine the influence of geography, social class and ethnicity on what people say and how they are perceived; the politics of language policies and standards; the birth and death of speech communities; and the structures of conversations, politeness and stereotypes.
4 Undergraduate credits
Effective August 1, 1998 to present
Meets graduation requirements for
Learning outcomes
General
- Analyze intersections of language and status, class, gender, network, race and ethnic group affiliation, religion, personality, sexuality, and disability - at a level consistent with the analytical and expressive complexity and sophistication that are distinctly characteristic of upper-division courses at comprehensive universities.
- Analyze the methods and findings of sociolinguists - at a level consistent with the analytical and expressive complexity and sophistication that are distinctly characteristic of upper-division courses at comprehensive universities.
- Apply methods and findings of sociolinguists to students¿ own communities - at a level consistent with the analytical and expressive complexity and sophistication that are distinctly characteristic of upper-division courses at comprehensive universities.
- Apply these methods and concepts to original language data collected within a real, community-based social group - at a level consistent with the analytical and expressive complexity and sophistication that are distinctly characteristic of upper-division courses at comprehensive universities.
- Chart the birth and death of speech communities - at a level consistent with the analytical and expressive complexity and sophistication that are distinctly characteristic of upper-division courses at comprehensive universities.
- Compare and contrast the structures of conversations, politeness, and stereotypes - at a level consistent with the analytical and expressive complexity and sophistication that are distinctly characteristic of upper-division courses at comprehensive universities.
- Critique the politics of language policies and standards - at a level consistent with the analytical and expressive complexity and sophistication that are distinctly characteristic of upper-division courses at comprehensive universities.
- Explore language use in real-life contexts - at a level consistent with the analytical and expressive complexity and sophistication that are distinctly characteristic of upper-division courses at comprehensive universities.
- Know the methods and concepts underlying the study of language in society - at a level consistent with the analytical and expressive complexity and sophistication that are distinctly characteristic of upper-division courses at comprehensive universities.
- Understand the complexity and idiosyncrasies of various language and social structures - at a level consistent with the analytical and expressive complexity and sophistication that are distinctly characteristic of upper-division courses at comprehensive universities.
Minnesota Transfer Curriculum
Goal 5: History and the Social and Behavioral Sciences
- Employ the methods and data that historians and social and behavioral scientists use to investigate the human condition.
- Examine social institutions and processes across a range of historical periods and cultures.
- Use and critique alternative explanatory systems or theories.
- Develop and communicate alternative explanations or solutions for contemporary social issues.