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Harry Potter & the Order of the Linguist: Aspects of Sociolinguistics in Britain Today - ENG00104M

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  • Department: English and Related Literature
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Beck Sinar
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2021-22

Module summary

This module is for Norwegian Study Centre Postgraduate Students only.

This postgraduate module in modern sociolinguistics, which looks at linguistic variability and the social use of language, as well as the relationship between these and language change.  The module will enable you to perform original research in the field of sociolinguistics by giving you a practical training in techniques and methodologies used in sociolinguistic analysis.  We will use the books, films and audiobooks of the Harry Potter series as our primary data-set during contact hours.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2021-22

Module aims

  1. Help you to have a detailed and thorough understanding of the ways in which language use relates to wider social, political and cultural factors in the British Isles and beyond.
  2. Provide in-depth  knowledge and critical understanding of sociolinguistic terms, concepts, and approaches/methodologies.
  3. Enable you to carry out independent, post-graduate level sociolinguistic research in an informed and systematic manner. This will include knowledge of how to
    1. frame a set of research questions in the context of relevant literature
    2. present summaries of data effectively
    3. use quantitative and/or qualitative research methods to effectively answer research questions.
    4. manage workload on an independent research project

Module learning outcomes

At the end of this course you will be able to:

  1. Show you have acquired an understanding of the complex relationship between language and the social world.
  2. 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.
  3. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of linguistic variability and change in the British Isles today.
  4. Describe, interpret and critically evaluate recent sociolinguistic studies which focus on the situation in Britain.
  5. Demonstrate familiarity with and the use of a range of research methods and tools (for example, library and archival catalogues and online databases).
  6. Collect, describe and analyse linguistic data using appropriate sociolinguistic methodology suitable for postgraduate study and beyond.
  7. Develop the academic, personal and professional skills required to equip you to undertake your MA dissertation in Norway and to afterwards carry on to PhD research or make immediate impact upon employment in a relevant field such as teaching.

Indicative assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
5,000 word essay		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
5,000 word essay		 N/A 100

Module feedback

Formative: During the teaching period, you will be required to submit detailed essay plan, two part drafts and a full draft of your essay to the module convenor for feedback.  You will receive written comments on each of these within 2 weeks of submission. Further feedback will be provided during five one-to-one tutorials which will be evenly spaced throughout the semester. These are designed to help you with the skills needed to successfully conduct individual and original MA-level work/research.

Summative: You will receive written feedback on your summative assessment within 20 working days of submission.   This is normally sent via email.  You are welcome to discuss this written feedback with the module convenor, your pastoral supervisor, the YorkCourse Co-ordinator and/or the NSC Director.

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'. There will also be a 'coursepack' of assigned readings which you must purchase from the NSC on arrival in York.

If you would like to buy a book, or do further preliminary reading in the meantime, you might like to consider textbooks on sociolinguistics, such as:

Chambers, J.K. (2003). Sociolinguistic Theory [2nd Edition]. Oxford: Blackwell.

Mesthrie, R., Swann, J., Deumert, A., & Leap, W. (2009) Introducing sociolinguistics [2nd edition]. Edinburgh University Press.

Meyerhoff, M. (2007). Introducing sociolinguistics. Abingdon: Routledge
Wardhaugh, R. (2006). An Introduction to Sociolinguistics [5th Edition]. Oxford: Blackwell.

more specialised works include:

Milroy, L. & Gordon, M. (2003). Sociolinguistics. Method and Interpretation. Oxford: Blackwell.

Tagliamonte, S. (2011). Variationist sociolinguistics: Change, observation, interpretation. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell

 

 


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.