Khazar University
English Language and Literature Department
Course Syllabus/MA
SOCIOLINGUISTICS
Fall Semester, 2014
Instructor: Leyla Salayeva
Instructor Information
E-mail: lsalayeva@khazar.org
Phone: +994 (12) 4217916 (ext. 221)
Course description
This course is designed to provide students with an opportunity to gain knowledge in
sociolinguistics which studies the rules and development of language existence defined by the specific
social conditions of society. The students will study the issues such as the relation between language and
the facts of social life, the changes in written and spoken forms of language, language policy, language
planning, multilingualism and other problems.
Objectives of the course
The main objective of the course is to provide students with the basic knowledge about sociolinguistics
and the main sociolinguistic theories and to explore the basic categories and patterns of language behavior
in society.
Outcomes
By the end of the course the students will be able to demonstrate knowledge on the key
problems of sociolinguistics, the main trends and theories and methods of analysis.
Methods of Instruction
Teaching methods include reading and analyzing the selected materials, open discussion, written reports,
presentations and use of internet resources.
Course requirements
Grading:
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10% - presentation (power point) 10% midterm & 10% final
10%- research paper
10% - class participation
10% - activity
30% - mid-term exam
30% - final exam
Texts and Materials
Wardhaugh, Ronald (2006), An Introduction to Sociolinguistics, New York: Wiley-Blackwell
Labow W. Sociolinguistic patterns, Phil., 1974.
Hymes D. Foundations in sociolinguistics. An ethnographic approach. Phil., 1974.
Gumperz J.J. Language in social gtoups. Satnford, 1971.
Halliday M.A.K. Language as a social semiotic. The social interpretation of language and meaning. Balt.,
1978
Ferguson C.A. Language structure and language use, Stanford, 1971.
Gumperz J. Discourse strategies, в кн.: Studies in interactional sociolinguistics. Camb., 1982.
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Date
Topics
Support materials
1
Week 1
Language and Society – Sociolinguistics
Wardhaugh, Ronald (2006), An
Introduction to Sociolinguistics,
New York: Wiley-Blackwell
Labow W. Sociolinguistic patterns,
Phil., 1974.
2
Week 2
Languages, Dialects, and Varieties. Regional
Dialects
Wardhaugh, Ronald (2006), An
Introduction to Sociolinguistics,
New York: Wiley-Blackwell
Labow W. Sociolinguistic patterns,
Phil., 1974.
3
Week 3
Social Dialects. Styles, Registers
Wardhaugh, Ronald (2006), An
Introduction to Sociolinguistics,
New York: Wiley-Blackwell
Labow W. Sociolinguistic patterns,
Phil., 1974.
4
Week 4
Lingua Francas. Pidgins and Creoles
Wardhaugh, Ronald (2006), An
Introduction to Sociolinguistics,
New York: Wiley-Blackwell
Labow W. Sociolinguistic patterns,
Phil., 1974.
5
Week 5
Codes. Diglossia – Bilingualism and
Multilingualism – Code-Switching
Wardhaugh, Ronald (2006), An
Introduction to Sociolinguistics,
New York: Wiley-Blackwell
Labow W. Sociolinguistic patterns,
Phil., 1974.
6
Week 6
Speech Communities. Intersecting
Communities – Networks and Repertoires
Wardhaugh, Ronald (2006), An
Introduction to Sociolinguistics,
New York: Wiley-Blackwell
Labow W. Sociolinguistic patterns,
Phil., 1974.
7
Week 7
Language Variation. Regional Variation – The
Linguistic Variable – Linguistic and Social
Variation
Wardhaugh, Ronald (2006), An
Introduction to Sociolinguistics,
New York: Wiley-Blackwell
Labow W. Sociolinguistic patterns,
Phil., 1974.
8
Week 8
Language and Culture. Linguistic
Determinism. The Sapir-Worf hypothesis
Wardhaugh, Ronald (2006), An
Introduction to Sociolinguistics,
New York: Wiley-Blackwell
Labow W. Sociolinguistic patterns,
Phil., 1974.
9
Week 9
Presentations
Week 10
Mid- term Examination
Week 11
Ethnographies. Varieties of Talk – The
Ethnography of Speaking
Wardhaugh, Ronald (2006), An
Introduction to Sociolinguistics,
New York: Wiley-Blackwell
Labow W. Sociolinguistic patterns,
Phil., 1974.
10
Week 12
Solidarity and Politeness. Address Terms –
Politeness
Wardhaugh, Ronald (2006), An
Introduction to Sociolinguistics,
New York: Wiley-Blackwell
11
Week 13
Talk and Action. Speech Acts – Cooperation –
Conversation
Wardhaugh, Ronald (2006), An
Introduction to Sociolinguistics,
New York: Wiley-Blackwell
12
Week 14
Gender. Differences. Language, Gender and
Power relations
Wardhaugh, Ronald (2006), An
Introduction to Sociolinguistics,
New York: Wiley-Blackwell
13
Week 15
Language Policy and Language Planning
Wardhaugh, Ronald (2006), An
Introduction to Sociolinguistics,
New York: Wiley-Blackwell
Final Examination