Faculty of Arts
English Language Studies
Module Catalogue
Semester 1 - 2015/2016
Module code:
Module Title:
EN1001
Approaches to Language Study
Module Credits:
Number of Periods:
Module Tutor:
15.00
1
NICOLA PUCKEY
Description:
This modules serves as main introduction to English Language Studies. It combines
an overview of the relevant fields of study within the discipline with first training in
some of the methods you will be using throughout your time at university. Some of
the topics you might recognise, such as Discourse Analysis or Language Acquisition.
Others, like Cognitive Linguistics, for example, might be new to you. The methods
and skills we train will include how to do a field study and how to make the most of
the library. We will also explore how to write essays and work on your presentation
skills.
Specific to:
English Language Studies Single Honours
English Language Studies Joint
English
Availability:
A
15/16
Assessments:
15%
15%
20%
50%
Field Study
Library Exercise
Presentation
Essay
S1
Winchester
Module code:
Module Title:
EN1002
Understanding Language I: Syntax and Morphology
Module Credits:
Number of Periods:
Module Tutor:
15.00
1
JAMES BEDDINGTON
Description:
This module will explore how language works. That will mean a discussion about how
words work (morphology) in English and how they are strung together in order to
form phrases and sentences (syntax). An introduction to basic linguistic terminology
and methodology will be part of the treatment of morphology and syntax. This
knowledge will also provide further insight into how language works in texts (written
and spoken). How does the meaning of a text change when the sentence structure is
manipulated, for example? Why do shorter sentences speed up a passage, and what
effect does a list of questions have on a textual passage? When and why do we need
to form new words and how do we do it? The module will provide you with the
answers to these and more questions, with methods to explore them and with a
language to put your findings once more into words.
Specific to:
English Language Studies Single Honours
English Language Studies Joint
English
Availability:
A
15/16
Assessments:
40%
60%
Critical reading
Six fortnightly electronic quizzes
S1
Winchester
Module code:
Module Title:
EN1005
Language CSI
Module Credits:
Number of Periods:
Module Tutor:
15.00
1
Carolin Esser-Miles
Description:
The investigation of language has become more prominent in forensic investigations
within the last decade. Some of these areas of investigation, such as plagiarism
cases and author identification, are also relevant in an academic context. This
module will utilise such links between academic scholarship and forensic case studies
in order to introduce the students to some of the most vital pitfalls and most
necessary skills in relation to their language degree. The investigation of a
(supposed) case of plagiarism, for example, will allow us to explore the nature of
plagiarism and the dangers of academic misconduct as well as methods for their
detection. The module therefore offers a first glimpse into the field of Forensic
Linguistics alongside an introduction to academic practice.
Specific to:
English Language Studies Single Honours
Availability:
A
Assessments:
100%
15/16
S1
Portfolio
Winchester
Module code:
Module Title:
EN2011
Middle English: Texts In Context
Module Credits:
Number of Periods:
Module Tutor:
15.00
1
Carolin Esser-Miles
Description:
This module will study Middle English within its literary and socio-historical context.
As part of the study of the history of English, we will explore dialectal, historical, and
stylistic varieties of English in the period between 1100 and 1550 in a range of texts.
We will also examine the texts as literature and as social or political discourse. These
different approaches, together with introductions to the historical and cultural
background, will allow first explorations of medieval thought.
Specific to:
English Language Studies Single Honours
English Language Studies Joint
Creative Writing
English
English Joint
History
History and the Medieval World
Availability:
A
15/16
Assessments:
50%
50%
Portfolio
Essay
S1
Winchester
Module code:
Module Title:
EN2021
Analysing Discourse
Module Credits:
Number of Periods:
Module Tutor:
15.00
1
NICOLA PUCKEY
Description:
Discourse analysis is concerned with authentic language – both spoken and written –
and the social contexts in which it is produced. Analysts seek to identify both
patterns in discourse and links between these patterns and various aspects of social
behaviour.
This module aims to provide familiarity with a range of approaches used in the
description of discourse, and the terms and concepts used in each experience of
applying the approaches covered to samples of authentic language and an
appreciation of the relevance of different approaches to different kinds of discourse
analysis problems.
The module will outline the main approaches to the description of discourse, and
provide opportunities to apply these to samples of authentic language in workshop
sessions. Among the approaches outlined will be pragmatics, conversation analysis,
interactional sociolinguistics, genre analysis, text structure and cohesion, and critical
discourse analysis. The data for analysis will be drawn from such sources as television
interviews, classroom interaction, newspaper articles, electronic communication,
academic texts and casual conversation.
Specific to:
English Language Studies Single Honours
English Language Studies Joint
English
English Joint
Availability:
A
15/16
Assessments:
50%
50%
Project (analysis and report)
Essay
S1
Winchester
Module code:
Module Title:
EN2041
Sociolinguistics
Module Credits:
Number of Periods:
Module Tutor:
15.00
1
Barbara Loester
Description:
This module introduces the basic concepts, theories and methods of sociolinguistics.
You will explore how to observe and analyse language as well as how the theories
and methods have been put into practice. The module will therefore present and
discuss the classic and some of the latest studies in this field to provide an
introduction to its major topics, including: accommodation, politeness, language
attitudes, language contact and multilingualism, variation and change, networks and
communities of practice, vernacular education. As part of this introduction, social
variables (e.g. age, gender, class, ethnicity) and their relevance for and impact on
language are investigated.
Specific to:
English Language Studies Single Honours
English Language Studies Joint
English
English Joint
Availability:
A
15/16
Assessments:
60%
Essay (including a participation/mini-project as a formative stage of the work
towards the essay)
Exam
40%
S1
Winchester
Module code:
Module Title:
EN2051
Language Acquisition
Module Credits:
Number of Periods:
Module Tutor:
15.00
1
Carolin Esser-Miles
Description:
How do children learn to speak? How do we learn a foreign language? What
happens when two languages are involved? Why? This module will discuss all these
questions. As a general introduction to the topic, we will discuss the processes and
parameters of language acquisition at different ages in various constellations. The
module will cover phonetic acquisition and acquisition of vocabulary and
grammatical structure. We will also consider other contexts, such as neurological
difficulties. The discussion in this module takes place on a number of levels from
practical to abstract. An introduction to relevant theories will allow us to approach
applied examples critically and reflectively.
Specific to:
English Language Studies Single Honours
English Language Studies Joint
English
English Joint
Availability:
A
15/16
Assessments:
50%
50%
Essay
Presentation: debate
S1
Winchester
Module code:
Module Title:
EN2052
Forensic Linguistics
Module Credits:
Number of Periods:
Module Tutor:
15.00
1
Carolin Esser-Miles
Description:
This module will introduce you to a relatively new linguistic discipline which is highly
relevant for the professional world. Forensic Linguistics explores the language of law
and legal discourse as it happens in courts and the sphere of law enforcement. We
will look a t the language of law-making and how comprehensible (or not) it is.
Exchanges between experts in these fields and non-experts will provide material for
investigation. Equally important in this field is the question of authorship. How can
you identify the author of a written text, for example? Question such as this relate to
issues of plagiarism (and its detection) but also legal texts, such as confessions.
Specific to:
English Language Studies Single Honours
English Language Studies Joint
English
English Joint
Availability:
A
15/16
Assessments:
40%
60%
Presentation: Case review & report
Coursework: Critical reading
S1
Winchester
Module code:
Module Title:
EN2999
Volunteering for BA English Language Studies
Module Credits:
Number of Periods:
Module Tutor:
15.00
1
NICOLA PUCKEY
Description:
This module allows students to take up a placement in a voluntary sector either in
the UK or overseas. The aim is that you will make a positive and personally
rewarding contribution to the community whilst also reflecting critically upon your
experience and developing skills which will enhance your employability and personal
development.
Specific to:
English Language Studies Single Honours
English Language Studies Joint
Availability:
A
15/16
Assessments:
25%
75%
Prospectus
Portfolio
S1
Winchester
Module code:
Module Title:
EN3012
The Evolution of Language
Module Credits:
Number of Periods:
Module Tutor:
15.00
1
Mohammed Eric Lacey
Description:
The modules will introduce you to the principles of comparative historical linguistics,
focussing on the development of English. How did the English Language actually
emerge, what exactly happened before we can speak of the English Language and
why did this happen? We will explore the origins of language and the various
theories surrounding this controversial question. These issues raise questions about
how to classify languages, both from genetic and a typological point of view; are the
family tree models for classification outdated and if so, what should they be replaced
with? Our main focus will be the indo-European family and we will investigate how
various types of language change and contact contribute to the development of new
languages and varieties.
Specific to:
English Language Studies Single Honours
English Language Studies Joint
English
English Joint
Availability:
A
15/16
Assessments:
50%
50%
Presentation
Essay
S1
Winchester
Module code:
Module Title:
EN3041
Language Death, Revival and Change
Module Credits:
Number of Periods:
Module Tutor:
15.00
1
Barbara Loester
Description:
In this module we will look at the reasons for and the mechanisms behind language
death: why do languages die, is there a pattern to the process and why are some
languages in greater danger of extinction than others? The second major focal point
is the reversal of language death - language revival. During the 20th Century
languages, such as Catalan and Hebrew, have managed to re-appear as native
languages or at least gained status as official languages. What stages did they have to
go through to be "resurrected"? What role do society and politics play in such cases?
We will explore and assess the frameworks that are in place to analyse such linguistic
and social change. In the latter part of the module we will discuss the field of
language planning and see how a language can be maintained and adapted to gain
status.
Specific to:
English Language Studies Single Honours
English Language Studies Joint
English
English Joint
Availability:
A
15/16
Assessments:
50%
50%
Essay
Case study (poster and presentation)
S1
Winchester
You must have some previous sociolinguistic experience from your home
university or you must talk to Barbara Loester to see if this module is appropriate
and you have the right knowledge.
Module code:
Module Title:
EN3052
Ethnography
Module Credits:
Number of Periods:
Module Tutor:
15.00
1
NICOLA PUCKEY
Description:
What is ethnography? Is it simply addressing the context within which the
phenomenon being studied occurs? No. Ethnography embraces complexity, and
does not seek reduction in order to simplify it. As a result of this, linguistic
ethnography does not, in fact, focus solely upon language. It takes influences from
disciplines such as anthropology cultural studies and sociology.
Importantly the social knowledge and experiences of the ethnographer are as
important as those who are being researched. Indeed, ethnography does not
disallow for the researcher to the part of the research also. As a result of this, a
fundamental aspect of ethnography, or research incorporating elements of
ethnography, requires the researcher to be reflexive. The researcher must be aware
of how they are impacting their own research and equally importantly, how the
research is impacting on them. Consequently, students will undertake a small
ethnographic research project and compile a field diary/journal throughout this
process to be submitted as part of the assessment.
Specific to:
English Language Studies Single Honours
English Language Studies Joint
English
English Joint
Availability:
A
15/16
Assessments:
30%
20%
50%
COURSEWORK: Field diary/journal
PRACTICAL: Project presentation
COURSEWORK: Essay
S1
Winchester
Module code:
Module Title:
EN3061
Text(ure)
Module Credits:
Number of Periods:
Module Tutor:
15.00
1
Carolin Esser-Miles
Description:
This module will introduce the study of the book-as-object, or bibliography, in order
to explore how the text relates to the object that surrounds it, such as books,
computers, DVDs, or any other recording format. Bibliographers are interested in the
processes of the creation and reception of text, everything short of the forest and
waste bin. The traces of these processes can be found in many places including
drafts, word processors, marginalia, receipts, faxes, emails and tweets. Through
careful consideration of these traces, we can understand how the meaning of the
text is shaped by the format it appears on (e.g. print, podcast or on a screen) and
question how texts work on a physical level. This module will explore these themes
by taking examples from the periphery of traditional studies of language and
reassessing them from the perspective of their material importance.
Specific to:
English Language Studies Single Honours
English Language Studies Joint
English
English Joint
Availability:
A
15/16
Assessments:
50%
50%
Poster presentation
Case study
S1
Winchester