Students
LING2219 – Introduction to Sociolinguistics
2021 – Session 2, Weekday attendance, North Ryde
Session 2 Learning and Teaching Update
The decision has been made to conduct study online for the remainder of Session 2 for all units WITHOUT mandatory on-campus learning activities. Exams for Session 2 will also be online where possible to do so.
This is due to the extension of the lockdown orders and to provide certainty around arrangements for the remainder of Session 2. We hope to return to campus beyond Session 2 as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.
Some classes/teaching activities cannot be moved online and must be taught on campus. You should already know if you are in one of these classes/teaching activities and your unit convenor will provide you with more information via iLearn. If you want to confirm, see the list of units with mandatory on-campus classes/teaching activities.
Visit the MQ COVID-19 information page for more detail.
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Loy Lising
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 introduces students to the field of sociolinguistics by focusing on three main areas: multilingual speech communities, inter-speaker language variation, and intra-speaker language variation. The unit draws upon research in Australia and around the world on a wide variety of languages, to develop students' understanding of the nature of variation and change in language at a global, national, local and individual level. Students take part in group and individual activities to develop an understanding of sociolinguistic research. |
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: Define and describe sociolinguistic theories.
- ULO2: Evaluate and apply different methods of sociolinguistic data collection and analysis.
- ULO3: Analyse and interpret linguistic data for its sociolinguistic dimensions.
- ULO4: Critically appraise and synthesise relevant academic literature.
- ULO5: Explain both individually and in groups and through written and oral communication how sociolinguistic research can contribute to society.
General Assessment Information
Requesting an extension to assignment due date
On occasion, you may be in a situation when you aren't able to submit an assessment task on time. Extensions are only given in special circumstances, by completing a Special Consideration request. For more information on Special Consideration, see https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration
Late submission of assignments
If you haven't been approved for an extension and you submit your assessment task late, penalties are applied. You should consult your unit convenor if you are in this position. Late submissions will receive a 5% per day penalty. If you submit the assessment task 10 days or more beyond the due date, without an approved extension, you will be awarded a maximum of 50% of the overall assessment marks. Weekends and public holidays are included.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| online quizzes | 40% | No | Week 3, Week 7, Week 13 |
| Group Video Project | 20% | No | Week 5 |
| Data Collection Tasks | 10% | No | Week 8 |
| Quantitative Research Report | 30% | No | Week 11 |
online quizzes
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 3, Week 7, Week 13
Weighting: 40%
Over the duration of the unit, you will be required to complete multiple short online quizzes comprising a set of problem-based or short answer questions that demonstrate the application of knowledge from the content of the unit.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Define and describe sociolinguistic theories.
- Analyse and interpret linguistic data for its sociolinguistic dimensions.
- Explain both individually and in groups and through written and oral communication how sociolinguistic research can contribute to society.
Group Video Project
Assessment Type 1: Media presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 5
Weighting: 20%
In pre-allocated groups, you will work together to produce a short video that addresses a specific task on societal multilingualism, details of which will be provided on iLearn. The videos will become a resource for revision and are viewable by the whole class once submitted. Following the submission of the video, you will submit a one page written reflection of your experience in completing the task, focusing upon what you have learnt, how well you performed as a group, and what you might do differently if you did the task again.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Define and describe sociolinguistic theories.
- Critically appraise and synthesise relevant academic literature.
- Explain both individually and in groups and through written and oral communication how sociolinguistic research can contribute to society.
Data Collection Tasks
Assessment Type 1: Field work task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 8
Weighting: 10%
You will be assigned a data collection task related to an ongoing piece of sociolinguistic research by the unit convenors, further details of which will be provided on iLearn. This task is assessed as a participation task whereby you gain experience in sociolinguistic data collection methods and the ethics of social research. The mark is based upon the successful completion of the task according to the instructions.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Evaluate and apply different methods of sociolinguistic data collection and analysis.
Quantitative Research Report
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Week 11
Weighting: 30%
Following the guidance in the resource pack provided for tutorials, you will analyse a provided dataset from an ongoing sociolinguistic project. Based upon this activity, you will write a report in which you present the findings of your statistical analysis of the data, and how the trends you find connect with current theories in sociolinguistics. The report must describe your analytic methodology, summarise the theoretical approach you are using, and present the data in a clear and concise manner. It should critically compare the results you have found with other relevant sociolinguistic research.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Define and describe sociolinguistic theories.
- Evaluate and apply different methods of sociolinguistic data collection and analysis.
- Analyse and interpret linguistic data for its sociolinguistic dimensions.
- Critically appraise and synthesise relevant academic literature.
- Explain both individually and in groups and through written and oral communication how sociolinguistic research can contribute to society.
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
Delivery
LING2219 is taught by a weekly collection of pre-recorded online mini-lectures of varying length, but totalling around 2 hours per week. Tutorials will be on-line if the health advice requires this to be the case, othrerwise, they will take place on-campus.
Lectures begin week 1. Lecture videos are pre-recorded and are available online in advance of your tutorial.
Tutorials begin in week 1. Tutorials draw upon the material covered in the lectures posted in the previous week, so (with the exception of week 1) you are expected to have accessed the material from the previous week by the time of your tutorial. In week 1 your tutor will go over some of the organisational details regarding your first assessment, which involves allocating you to a group.
Reading
The core textbooks for the unit are:
Holmes, J., and Wilson, N. (2017). An Introduction to Sociolinguistics (5th ed.). Abingdon: Routledge.
Kielsing, S. F. (2011). Linguistic Variation and Change. Edinburgh: EUP.
Meyerhoff, M. (2011). Introducing Sociolinguistics (2nd ed). Abingdon: Routledge.
Myerhoff, M., Schleef, E., and MacKenzie, L. (2015). Doing Sociolinguistics. Abingdon: Routledge.
The library has e-copies of all of these, so you don't need to buy them unless you want your own physical copy. Note that Holmes & Wilson (2017) is co-written by one of the unit convenors, so it very closely follows this unit. You will be assigned readings from one or more of these books every week.
Each week there are also multiple further readings suggested for the tutorial, you should aim to reads at least one of these each week, as they will support the tutorial preparation activities. All unit readings are accessible using the Leganto Reading list on the unit iLearn site.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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
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.
Unit information based on version 2021.02 of the Handbook