Studying at York
Research Extension in the Game of Tongues: A Song of Linguistic Variation & Change (Oppgave) - 40N0113
- Department: English and Related Literature
- Module co-ordinator: Dr. Beck Sinar
- Credit value: 20 credits
- Credit level: I
- Academic year of delivery: 2021-22
- See module specification for other years: 2022-23
Module summary
By expanding the word limit of the assessment demanded for the linguistics module Game of Tongues: A Song of Linguistic Variation and Change by 5,000 words, it will give students the opportunity to undertake a substantial (dissertation length) piece of independent research in Historical Linguistics and/or sociolinguistics.
Related modules
Pre-requisite modules
- None
Co-requisite modules
Prohibited combinations
- None
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Autumn Term 2021-22 |
Module aims
The main aim of this module is to support you in conducting and writing up independent linguistic research on some aspect of the English Language, past or present. During this module, you should:
- Design and carry out a theoretical and/or empirical study in a specialised area
- Demonstrate an ability to critique and challenge theoretical ideas which have been proposed.
- Demonstrate progress towards the ability to synthesise and to present complex ideas with clarity.
Module learning outcomes
By the end of the module, you should be able to:
- Understand the challenges posed in carrying out a substantial piece of independent research
- Have improved their ability to use evidence to support arguments.
- Select, limit and question a particular topic.
- Demonstrate skills in presenting your thesis.
- Have developed abilities in the linguistic analysis of historical texts.
- Be able to use various tools to aid your study of older stages of the language
You should also have:
- Improved your abilities to read and write academic English.
- Learnt to find and use appropriate library and internet resources.
Module content
Transferable skills developed in this module
All modules provide an opportunity to work on general oral/written communication skills (in class and in assessments) and general self management (organising your studies), alongside the subject-specific skills that the module teaches.
In addition, this module will allow students to particularly develop skills in creativity and innovation: in this module students will design and implement their own small-scale research project, writing it up according to the norms of academic publishing. In bringing the study to completion they will also demonstrate particularly high levels of self management.
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 versions 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 your 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 twenty working days of submission.
Indicative reading
These will very much depend on the topic chosen and the students should draw up a reading list in consultation with the module convenor. Some general key texts include:
Blake, N (1992, ed) The Cambridge History of the English Language. Volume 2: 1066 to 1476. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Hogg, R (1992, ed) The Cambridge History of the English Language. Volume 1: The beginnings to 1066. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
Hogg, R.M and D. Denison (2008, eds) A History of the English Language. Cambridge: CUP.
van Kemenade, A and B. Los (2006, eds) The handbook of the history of English. London: Blackwells.