Core modules
You will study five core modules:
Describing Language
This module provides a grounding in the analysis of the lexis and grammar of English. You will be introduced to essential concepts and terminology in the field, and gain practice in analysing naturally-occurring language using the models (e.g. Systemic-Functional Grammar) discussed. There is some emphasis on the application of such analysis to the study of language in social context.
Assessment: 2 x 2,000-word essays
Discourse, Culture and Communication
This module explores the interaction between discourse and ‘culture’. Various definitions of ‘culture’ are outlined in relation to other theoretical concepts (e.g. ideology), and you will be introduced to models of analysis for spoken and written discourse. These models are applied to sample texts, with a view to examining issues and problems of communication within and across cultural boundaries. You will be encouraged to explore the relevance of approaches to discourse and ‘culture’ to professional contexts.
Assessment: 4,000-word essay
Intercultural Communication
In today’s ‘global world’, it is increasingly necessary to communicate successfully across cultural boundaries of language, style and value. The aim of this module is to provide an overview of the major issues in the area of Intercultural Communication, with particular reference to developments in the last 25 years. In attempting to address such questions, we will hope to draw upon the variety of students’ own cultural backgrounds as a basis for discussion and contrastive analysis. There will be some scope for negotiating content in response to students’ interests, but some of the topics we might explore include: definitions and dimensions of 'culture'; stereotyping the other (and the self?); culture and communication; identity and ‘cultures within cultures’; intercultural mediation; and language(s), discourse(s) and globalisation(s).
Assessment: 4,000-word essay
Social and Multimodal Aspects of Communication
The aim of this module is to provide an overview of major issues in the areas of Sociolinguistics and Multimodal Communication, with reference to new theories that take into consideration a diversity of communicative modes – language, image, music, sound texture and gesture. One half of the course will introduce and discuss concepts and issues in the field of Sociolinguistics; the other will explore new ways of understanding and analysing multimodal communication.
Assessment: 4,000-word essay
Research Methods in Applied Linguistics
This module aims to provide you with a grounding in methods and approaches to research in Applied Linguistics.
Assessment: 4,000-word essay
Optional modules
You will also choose two optional modules from a range which may include the following:
In the spring term -
- Cognitive Linguistics and Language Learning
- Corpus Assisted Language Learning
- Corpus Linguistics
- English as a Global Language
- Issues and Approaches in English for Academic Purposes
- Language and Gesture
- Language and New Media
- Language and the Senses
- Language, Gender and Identity
- Psycholinguistics in TESOL
- Teacher Training
- Vocabulary and Phraseology
For more information, see our English Language and Linguistics module descriptions.
Dissertation
In addition to your taught modules, you will conduct a piece of independent research with the support of a supervisor, culminating in a 15,000-word dissertation.
This programme outline relates to 2018/19 and is subject to change in future years.
Please note that the optional module information listed on the website for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.