Universität Wien
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124093 VK BEd 09.2: VK Linguistics and Language Education (2025W)

Linguistic Prescription and Variation

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

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 (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Thursday 09.10. 16:15 - 17:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Thursday 16.10. 16:15 - 17:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Thursday 23.10. 16:15 - 17:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Thursday 30.10. 16:15 - 17:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Thursday 06.11. 16:15 - 17:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Thursday 13.11. 16:15 - 17:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Thursday 20.11. 16:15 - 17:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Thursday 27.11. 16:15 - 17:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Thursday 04.12. 16:15 - 17:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Thursday 11.12. 16:15 - 17:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Thursday 18.12. 16:15 - 17:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Thursday 08.01. 16:15 - 17:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Thursday 15.01. 16:15 - 17:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Thursday 22.01. 16:15 - 17:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Thursday 29.01. 16:15 - 17:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

This course surveys issues of standardization, prescription and variation with a focus on English grammar. We will consider the source of prescriptive attitudes to grammatical patterns and attested patterns of variation. Students will be encouraged to reflect on the links between linguistic research on prescription and questions related to language learning education. We will explore issues such as the nature of grammatical variation, the source of prescriptive judgements and questions of language standardization. Students will:
• deepen their knowledge of key concepts of prescription/description and linguistic variation;
• be able to draw on theoretical and empirical research to develop syntheses;
• be able to clearly present and critique ideas in linguistics research on grammar;
• be familiar with and able to apply selected linguistics research methods.
This course is based on ideas that are introduced in class lectures and reading assignments. It combines reading, practice-based activities, joint discussion, group work, and individual research work leading to a presentation and final written paper (either a bachelor paper or a research report).

Assessment and permitted materials

Continuous assessment. This course is based on ideas that are introduced in class lectures and reading assignments. It combines reading, practice-based activities, joint discussion, group work, and individual research work leading to a presentation and final written paper (either a bachelor paper or a research report).

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Course evaluation is based on:
(A) independent exercises and assignments, class participation (20 points)
(B) project-proposal & project-based presentation (30 points)
(C) VK report (20 points) OR bachelor paper (60 points)

Minimum requirements for passing the course are:
a) Regular class attendance (max 2 missed sessions)
b) Completion of critical reading tasks
c) Active contribution to group discussions / activities (e.g. research questions, bibliography)
d) Active engagement in group project and presentation
e) Handing in bachelor thesis/final assignment (on time)
f) Refraining from plagiarism in all tasks
g) Attaining a pass level in all three components of the course (A, B and C above)

Examination topics

Continuous assessment

Reading list

Specific research literature will be provided as preparation / follow-up reading for particular topics. This will include general treatments of the topic such as:
Beal, J. C., Lukač, M., & Straaijer, R. (2023). The Routledge handbook of linguistic prescriptivism. Routledge.
Curzan, A. (2014). Fixing English: Prescriptivism and Language History. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Vos, M. & Meulen, M. (2024). 14 Suppressed No More: Prescriptivism and the Evaluation of Optional Variability. In N. Yáñez-Bouza, M. Rodríguez-Gil & J. Pérez-Guerra (Ed.), New Horizons in Prescriptivism Research (pp. 296-318). Bristol, Blue Ridge Summit: Multilingual Matters. https://doi.org/10.21832/9781800416154-015

Association in the course directory

Studium: BEd 046/407
Code/Modul: BEd 09.2
Lehrinhalt: 12-4692

Last modified: Th 02.10.2025 15:46