Course objective
This course aims to explore language as a cultural product of human society. The target (English) language is to be analyzed and discussed to help students discover its dynamic relationship with various cultural elements (such as beliefs, values, roles, statuses, social collectives, norms and mores, manners and customs). Through completion of the course, students will be able to think and reflect critically about
(1) examples of real-life language use and (2) relations between language and social/cultural practices.
Course description
Students are provided cultural and social aspects to human language. Major topics include the purpose, structure, development and variation of (English) language. Relevant film and video clips are introduced as a primary source of language samples. Students’ active exploration and in-depth investigation are encouraged through their participation in small group sharing and online discussion.
Grading policy
- Attendance 20%
(Full points for perfect attendance) - Class participation 30%
(Inclass small group sharing/discussion; bonus points to be earned by making individual online posts) - Midterm 20%
(Written shortanswer test; group analysis of one teacher-selected movie/video clip) - Final 30%
(Oral presentation; group analysis of one self-selected, coursetopic-related movie/video clip)
- BBC Talk about English: Who on Earth are We? [Online]
(Texts open for download from http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/webcast/tae_whoonearth_archive.shtml) - BBC World Service topic-related episodes [Online]
(Downloads available on http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldserviceradio) - Wikipedia readings [Online]
(Topics to be assigned in class; texts open for download from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page) - Other online reference materials
(Web links to be provided on the iLearning class webpage)
For a complete class schedule, please find our class bulletin.
Note that the schedule is tentative and subject to change to accommodate student need and interest.