Students

LING2219 – Introduction to Sociolinguistics

2024 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor
Loy Lising
loy.lising@mq.edu.au
Contact via Via iLearn
Co-convenor
Hanna Torsh
hanna.torsh@mq.edu.au
Contact via Via iLearn
Undergrdaduate Course Director
Felicity Cox
felicity.cox@mq.edu.au
Hanna Torsh
hanna.torsh@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
40cp at 1000 level or above (including LING1109 or LING1111 or LING1120 or LING1121)
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

Grade descriptors and other information concerning grading are contained in the Macquarie University Assessment Policy. 

All final grades are determined by a grading committee, in accordance with the Macquarie University Assessment Policy, and are not the sole responsibility of the Unit Convenor. 

Students will be awarded a final grade and a mark which must correspond to the grade descriptors specified in the Assessment Procedure (clause 128). 

To pass this unit, you must demonstrate sufficient evidence of achievement of the learning outcomes, meet any ungraded requirements, and achieve a final mark of 50 or better. 

Further details for each assessment task will be available on iLearn. 

Late Submissions 

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (OF THE TOTAL POSSIBLE MARK) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern.   

 For example: 

Number of days (hours) late 

Total Possible Marks 

Deduction 

Raw mark 

Final mark 

1 day (1-24 hours) 

100 

5 

75 

70 

2 days (24-48 hours) 

100 

10 

75 

65 

3 days (48-72 hours) 

100 

15 

75 

60 

7 days (144-168 hours)  

100 

35 

75 

40 

>7 days (>168 hours) 

100 

- 

75 

0 

For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration.  

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Quizzes 40% No Scheduled at various points in the semester.
Group Video Project 25% No Week 7
Quantitative Research Report 35% No Week 13

Quizzes

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Scheduled at various points in the semester.
Weighting: 40%

 

Over the duration of the unit, you will be required to complete multiple short 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: 20 hours
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 25%

 

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.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Define and describe sociolinguistic theories.
  • Evaluate and apply different methods of sociolinguistic data collection and analysis.
  • 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.

Quantitative Research Report

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 36 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 35%

 

Following the guidance in the resource pack provided for tutorials, you will collect and analyse a sociolinguistic dataset. You will then write a report in which you present the findings of your analysis of the data, and how these connect with current theories in sociolinguistics. Struture of the report will be provided in class.

 
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

Lectures & Tutorials

This unit is taught through 1 x 2 hours seminar each week and 1 x 1 hour tutorial. Tutorials begin in Week 1.

All seminars and tutorials are delivered on campus. A recording of the seminar will be available later on the day of delivery. 

Recommended Readings

For each week in this unit, you are required to read 1 chapter from the textbook and 1 recommended article. Discussions in the tutorials and assessment tasks are expected to be drawn from the readings and the lectures.

Our Textbook

Holmes, Janet and Nick Wilson (2022). An Introduction to Sociolinguistics. 6th Edition. London: Routledge.

All readings are available through the Leganto reading list, accessible via the iLearn page.

Enrolment in this unit entails engagement in a range of face-to-face and online learning activities, including lectures and tutorials, pre-tutorial activities, readings, and videos. Details can be found on the iLearn site for this unit.

Unit Schedule

This unit on the Introduction to Sociolinguistics will cover foundational concepts in sociolinguistics. At the same time, it will distinguish between macro sociolinguistics and micro sociolinguistics and will include coverage that will illuminate our understanding of these two parallel streams in sociolinguistics. A detailed list of lecture and tutorial topics can be found on the iLearn site of this unit.

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:

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 connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

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

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

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

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

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 2024.02 of the Handbook