Studying at York
Harry Potter & the Order of the Linguist: Aspects of Sociolinguistics in Britain Today - 40N0024
- Department: English and Related Literature
- Module co-ordinator: Dr. Beck Sinar
- Credit value: 20 credits
- Credit level: I
- Academic year of delivery: 2022-23
- See module specification for other years: 2021-22
Module summary
This undergraduate (200-level) module uses the books, audiobooks and films of the Harry Potter series as a base to explore various sociolinguistic topics relevant in Britain today. Therefore, whilst the course is based on Harry Potter, it is concerned with language, society, culture and the relations between them, particularly within the context of the British Isles today.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Autumn Term 2022-23 |
Module aims
This module concerns various aspects of sociolinguistics in Britain today, such as how and why language changes and varies based on age, gender, race and social class. The main aims of the module are to:
- Help you to understand the ways in which language use relates to wider social, political and cultural factors in the British Isles and beyond.
- Provide knowledge and critical understanding of sociolinguistic terms, concepts, and approaches/methodologies.
- Enable you to carry out your own sociolinguistic research in an informed and systematic manner.
Module learning outcomes
At the end of this course you will be able to:
- Show you have acquired an understanding of the complex relationship between language and the social world.
- Demonstrate knowledge of attitudes towards different varieties of English as well as issues of intelligibility and identity and the implications of these for English language teaching.
- Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of linguistic variability and change in the British Isles today.
- Describe, interpret and critically evaluate recent sociolinguistic studies which focus on the situation in Britain.
- Collect, describe and analyse linguistic data using appropriate sociolinguistic methodology.
Module content
For those students who require a didactic element:
Consideration of the status and role of English in the world today is crucial for those wishing to teach it in a classroom; which variety, if any, should be used? This is a question which will be raised and discussed from various perspectives during this course: on a global scale when comparing American and British English(es), on a national scale when discussing regional and social variation in Britain today.
Furthermore, this course will provide a demonstration of how literature can be used to teach and discuss aspects of current language and culture in a classroom.
Indicative assessment
| Task | Length | % of module mark |
|---|---|---|
| Essay/coursework Essay - 5000 words |
N/A | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
None
Module feedback
Formative: During the teaching period, you will write a draft version of your essay upon which you will receive written comments within 2 weeks of submission. You will also have a one-to-one tutorial with their tutor regarding their feedback. The purpose of feedback is to inform your future work; it is provided in a pedagogical spirit, and the NSC also offers you help in learning from your feedback.
You will receive written feedback on summative assessments within six weeks of submission.
Indicative reading
There is not a compulsory textbook for this course, although you should buy and read a British English copy of the first Harry Potter novel 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone'.
Otherwise, of the assigned readings will be available in a 'course pack', which you can purchase for a small fee on arrival at the NSC.
If you would like to buy a book, or do further preliminary reading in the meantime, you might like to consider:
Chambers, J.K. (2003). Sociolinguistic Theory [2nd Edition]. Oxford: Blackwell.
Wardhaugh, R. (2006). An Introduction to Sociolinguistics [5th Edition]. Oxford: Blackwell.