ECTS course syllabi
Faculty of Philology
Module 2
ECTS code
Language in Society and Culture
Hours
30
1.2.2-D1-M2
ECTS points Final requirement
5
Graded credit
Year
I
Semester
1
Organization
Full time
Profile
Academic
Form
obligatory
Language Prerequisites
English
Provider
University of Opole / Faculty of Philology
Studies
Subject
English in Public
Communication
Degree
BA
Major/Specialty
Courses in the module
Course name
ECTS code Form
Language in Society and Culture 1.2.2-D1LSC
class
Hours
ECTS points
30
5
Instructor
Forms of evaluation of effects (see below for types of effects)
1. Class participation- 20% - 1,3,6,7
2. A test- 50% - 1,2,3,5
3. A report essay/a survey/ a comparative essay/ a review, response to assigned reading– 30% - 2,3,4,5,7
Methods of instruction/ forms of classroom activity
Lectures with presentations and demonstrations
whole-class and small-group discussions of assigned
readings
ECTS points in relation to student’s duties
1ECTS 30h – preparation for class
1ECTS 30h – in-class participation
2 ECTS 50h – revising for final test
1 ECTS 30h – obligatory reading
Course description
The course contrasts the dominant 20th-century view of language as autonomous, that is, an arbitrary and rule-based sign
system, with a newly emerging view of language as non-autonomous, that is, a constantly transformed reservoir of meaningmaking resources that constitute society and culture.
Course objectives
To give the students an idea of the changing views on language and the central role language plays in defining social reality
and culture. To introduce students to basic issues in language-oriented studies, e.g. pragmalinguistics, rhetoric, stylistics,
discourse analysis. To use authentic materials to demonstrate examples of language in use in socially and culturally situated
contexts.
Course content
1. Structuralist and generativist views of language.
2. The cognitive basis of language.
3. Speech communities and discourse communities.
4. Language and non-verbal communication.
5. An overview of the history of the English language.
Reading list
A. obligatory reading (to get a credit):
A.1. used in class
1. W. F. Bolton, “Language: An introduction.” In Clark et al., 2007.
2. H. A. Daniels, “Nine ideas about language.” In Clark et al., 2007.
3. N. Smith & D. Wilson, “What is a language?” In V. Clark et al., 2007.
4. R. Dirven & G. Radden, “The cognitive basis of language.” In R. Dirven & M. Verspoor, 2004.
5. G. Kress, “New theories of representation.” In B. Cope & M. Kalantzis, 2000.
6. M. E. Heatherington, “Pragmatics.” In Clark et al., 2007.
7. E. Chaika, “Discourse routines.” In Clark et al., 2007.
8. P. Roberts, “Speech communities.” In Clark et al., 2007.
9. J. M. Swales, “Speech communities and discourse communities.” In J. M. Swales, 1990.
10. G. A. Miller, “Non-verbal communication.” In Clark et al., 2007.
11. P. Roberts, “A brief history of English.” In Clark et al., 2007.
A.2. used for self-study
V. Clark, P. Eschholz, A. Rosa and B. Simon (eds.), Language: Introductory Readings. St. Martin’s 2007.
Effects
B. supplementary readings
1. A. Mooney, J. Stilwell Peccei, S. LaBelle, B. Henriksen, E. Eppler, A. Irwin, P. Pichler, S. Preece, S. Soden, LSP Bundle:
Language, Society and Power: An Introduction. Routledge 2011.
2. Z. Salzmann, J. Stanlaw, N. Adachi, Language, Culture, and Society: An Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology. Westview
Press 2011.
3. D. Crystal, The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language. CUP 2010.
4. D. Crystal, The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language. CUP 2003.
Knowledge
Students:
1. have basic knowledge about the significance of the humanities, particularly language and
communication studies, in the system of academic disciplines, about their research subjects as well as
their methodological specificity (K_W01)
2. know the basic terminology of linguistics and communication studies, their main theoretical models
and methodologies, particularly with respect to public communication (K_W04)
3. start acquiring a systematic detailed knowledge of the range of socially oriented language studies and
communication studies, namely of semiotics, sociolinguistics, pragmatics, stylistics and rhetoric, be
familiar with the main research traditions and new developments in these fields of study (K_W07)
Skills
Students can:
4. search for, analyze, select, evaluate and use information collected from various sources and
presented in various media(K_U01)
5. apply the terminology, theoretical frameworks, research paradigms and methodological approaches
of linguistics and discouse studies (including those of semiotics, sociolinguistics, pragmatics,
stylistics and rhetoric), as well as communication studies and media studies (K_U04)
Social competences
Students:
6. cooperate with others in a team, assuming various roles(K_K04)
7. approach public communications in an analytic and critical way(K_K07)
Contact
JanZalewski@interia.pl