Universität Wien

122251 AR Advanced Course in Linguistics (2021S)

Applied Linguistic Controversies about Contemporary English

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 12 - Anglistik
Continuous assessment of course work
REMOTE

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 25 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes

Vorläufig online
Mittwoch 16:15-17:45
Beginn: 17.03.2021 [not 10.03.]


Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Title: Applied Linguistic Controversies about Contemporary English

As a consequence of the unprecedented global spread of English, important questions have arisen, and have been controversially discussed, as to what "English" actually now means to different people, in different contexts.
The focus of this course will be on a critical reading of publications dealing with issues concerning the role of English in today's world, on which applied linguists take very different positions. Based on these readings, participants will be invited to evaluate the arguments put forward by various scholars, and to investigate and explain their own reactions to these controversies.
We will engage with current debates in English as a first/second/foreign language, World Englishes and English as a Lingua Franca (ELF). Themes to be investigated will include: 'English' in its historical, social and political context; notions of ‘real English’ and standard language ideology; the 'ownership' of English; the internationalisation and indigenisation of English, approaches to ELF theorizing, linguistic imperialism, the role of English norms in high-stakes encounters such as asylum procedures and interpreting, and implications arising from all of these for the description and teaching of English.
The course will be designed to focus on participants' own presentations and class discussion, based on a critical reading of relevant texts. The objective of this course is to familiarize participants with both the relevant theoretical background underlying these issues and their implications for the description of English as well as for language policy and pedagogy. In addition to the engagement with important issues, this course should also prove helpful to participants for the development of their own skills in arguing their case and in academic writing.

Assessment and permitted materials

Students are assessed on the basis of assignments, class participation, oral presentation and discussion, and final essay.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Assessment is based on:
*) class participation, reading and assignments (max. 30 points)
*) oral presentation with discussion (max. 35 points)
*) final essay (max. 35 points)
The minimum requirements for passing the course are:
(a) regular class attendance (max. 2 absences)
(b) giving the oral presentation (on set date)
(c) taking part in class discussion
(d) handing in the final essay (on time)
(e) attaining 60 of the maximum of 100 points.
The pass rate is > 60%.

Examination topics

see above

Reading list

References and readings for specific controversies will be provided in class and on Moodle.
These will be discussed and decided on at the beginning of the term; they will include parts of _Controversies in Applied Linguistics_ ed. by Barbara Seidlhofer; Oxford University Press 2003 and _Global Englishes_ by Jennifer Jenkins; Routledge 2014.

Association in the course directory

Studium: MA 812 [2]; UF MA 046/507; UF 344
Code/Modul: MA M04, MA M05, UF MA 4B; 4.2.3
Lehrinhalt: 12-0260

Last modified: We 21.04.2021 11:26