Students

LING2290 – Language, Globalisation and World Englishes

2020 – Session 2, Special circumstance

Notice

As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.

To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Peter Roger
Margaret Wood
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
40cp at 1000 level or above
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit explores the ways in which globalising forces are shaping the way that language is used in today's world, and examines in detail the shifts in language dominance and patterns of use that continue to occur in the coming decades. Against this broad context, we examine critically the social, cultural, political and ethical dimensions of the spread of English as a global language, and the emergence of a range of Englishes. From their studies in this unit, students gain a deep understanding of the strategic adjustments necessary for effective intercultural communication in both professional and social domains. They also develop a balanced awareness of the risks of linguistic marginalisation and prejudice, as well as the wealth of opportunities for communicative interaction and engagement that accompany the processes of globalisation.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Critically discuss a range of current issues and research trends in the area of language, globalisation and World Englishes
  • ULO2: Appraise the ideas and recommendations of writers in this field, both ‘expert’ and ‘non-expert’
  • ULO3: Explain a range of theories and approaches in the study of the inter-relationships between language, globalisation and World Englishes
  • ULO4: Demonstrate an understanding of the major debates that currently surround the role and status of English in the contemporary world
  • ULO5: Describe the major historical influences on the evolution of English and its varieties, and identify key linguistic features that characterize different varieties of English
  • ULO6: Apply the material covered in the unit to personally relevant situations of intercultural communication

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
News article commentary 20% No 04/09/2020 23.55 PM
Critical Review (1500 words) 30% No 16/10/2020 23.59 PM
In One Word 10% No Students will be assigned a tutorial in which to present
Final Take-Home Test 40% No Examination period

News article commentary

Assessment Type 1: Media presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 04/09/2020 23.55 PM
Weighting: 20%

 

For this assignment, students will be given links to several short news articles. After selecting one of these articles, each student will prepare and submit a 5-7 minute PowerPoint presentation with recorded commentary, in which they will (1) identify the main issues raised by the article and link them to concepts covered so far in this unit, and (2) explain their own reaction to the issues raised by the article

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically discuss a range of current issues and research trends in the area of language, globalisation and World Englishes
  • Appraise the ideas and recommendations of writers in this field, both ‘expert’ and ‘non-expert’
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the major debates that currently surround the role and status of English in the contemporary world
  • Apply the material covered in the unit to personally relevant situations of intercultural communication

Critical Review (1500 words)

Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 16/10/2020 23.59 PM
Weighting: 30%

 

This assignment involves writing critical review of two short journal articles relating to the content of LING2290. For each publication, students are asked to provide the full bibliographic details (following the style used in the guidelines provided) followed by a brief summary of the overall scope and focus of the article, and the author’s principal conclusion(s). Students then provide a critical reflection on issues such as applications to the 'real' world, the theoretical approach or framework used in the article, and the ways in which the author's claims are (or are not) supported by the evidence presented. It is also important to refer to other related scholarly publications in this assignment.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically discuss a range of current issues and research trends in the area of language, globalisation and World Englishes
  • Appraise the ideas and recommendations of writers in this field, both ‘expert’ and ‘non-expert’
  • Explain a range of theories and approaches in the study of the inter-relationships between language, globalisation and World Englishes
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the major debates that currently surround the role and status of English in the contemporary world
  • Apply the material covered in the unit to personally relevant situations of intercultural communication

In One Word

Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 5 hours
Due: Students will be assigned a tutorial in which to present
Weighting: 10%

 

In this assignment, each student will research the history of one English word from a variety of English of their choosing. They will present a five minute presentation in the tutorial, supported by PowerPoint slides, to explain how the word they have chosen illustrates one or more of the themes covered in this unit.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe the major historical influences on the evolution of English and its varieties, and identify key linguistic features that characterize different varieties of English

Final Take-Home Test

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 37 hours
Due: Examination period
Weighting: 40%

 

This will be distributed electronically to students during the examination period, but will be completed at home and lodged electronically. It will involve multiple choice questions, short answer questions, and questions requiring answers of 1-2 paragraphs in length. It will include questions relating to material covered throughout the unit.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically discuss a range of current issues and research trends in the area of language, globalisation and World Englishes
  • Appraise the ideas and recommendations of writers in this field, both ‘expert’ and ‘non-expert’
  • Explain a range of theories and approaches in the study of the inter-relationships between language, globalisation and World Englishes
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the major debates that currently surround the role and status of English in the contemporary world
  • Describe the major historical influences on the evolution of English and its varieties, and identify key linguistic features that characterize different varieties of English
  • Apply the material covered in the unit to personally relevant situations of intercultural communication

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

In 2020, this unit will be delivered online with a two-hour Zoom lecture, followed by a one-hour Zoom tutorial in which students will engage in online discussions and group activities.  There will be a synchronous (real-time) lecture every Tuesday from 11.00 -1.00, followed by a tutorial from 1-2 PM.  We will aim to finish each lecture at 12.40 to allow a break before the tutorial commences at 1.00.  We will use the following Zoom link for the lecture and tutorial:

Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device:      Please click this URL to start or join: https://macquarie.zoom.us/j/3697988534  

This is a recurring link so it should work every week.  

Unit Schedule

WEEK

DATE

                     TOPIC (NB. Ordering of the weekly topics may change)

Week 1

28 July

The linguistic dimensions of globalisation  (Peter Roger) 

Week 2

04 August

A brief history of English: From humble beginnings to global language (Peter Roger)

Week 3

11 August

English as a global language: Dark clouds and blue skies (Peter Roger)

Week 4

18 August

Globalisation and the world's biggest languages (Peter Roger)

Week 5

25 August

Endangered languages: A journey around the world (Peter Roger)

Week 6

1 September

World Englishes Case Study I - Singapore (Peter Roger)

Week 7

7 September

World Englishes Case Study II - The Philippines (Loy Lising)

Week 8

29 September

World Englishes Case Study III - Australia (Adam Smith)

Week 9

06 October

World Englishes Case Study IV - South Korea (Jean Cho)

Week 10

13 October

World Englishes and English language teaching: A global view (Jill Murray)

Week 11

20 October

Which language?  Language rights, laws, and attitudes (Peter Roger)

Week 12

27 October

Language and globalisation: Implications for commerce and international diplomacy (Peter Roger) 

Week 13

03 November

Pre-exam Summary: Language, Globalisation and World Englishes (Peter Roger)

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Late Submission of Assessments

  • Late submissions without an extension will receive a penalty of 3% of the total mark available for the assessment task per day including weekend days (i.e. this is 3% of the total marks possible for the task – NOT 3% of the marks the student received. For example, if the assessment task is worth 100 marks and the student is two days late their mark for the task is reduced by 6 marks.)
  • Late submission of an assessment task without an extension will not be accepted at all after the date on which marked assessment tasks have been released to the rest of the class. Any student with unsubmitted work at this date will receive a mark of 0 for the assessment task.
  • Extensions will only be given in special circumstances, and can be requested by completing the Special Consideration request at ask.mq.edu.au and providing the requisite supporting documentation.
  • Extensions that will result in submissions after the assessment task has been returned to the class will require a separate assessment task to be completed at the unit convenor's discretion.
  • For more information on Special Consideration, see the university website https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration\
  • If a student fails the unit due to non-submission of an assignment or non-attendance at an exam, an FA grade will be applied in accordance with the University's Assessment Policy.
  • Unit convenors have the discretion to determine whether or not students should fail a unit on the basis of lateness penalties alone if other learning outcomes of the unit have been met.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.