Course
Course 7.5 credits • SPVM10
What role does language play in society?
The course aims to provide students with broad knowledge and understanding of the role of language in society, including modern sociolinguistic theories and research, and some understanding of how sociolinguistics differs from sociology of language. The course examines geographical and social explanations to linguistic variation and change as well as attitudes to different linguistic variants. Basic concepts such as language variation, standard varieties, dialects, sociolects, gender, power, multilingualism, code switching, language contact (including language maintenance and loss, pidgins, creoles) and language policies and planning are presented and studied. The course will also look at digital discourse and digital language variation.
Various research methods which are applied in sociolinguistics are presented and discussed throughout the course. Examples from a variety of languages, societies, countries and other situations and contexts where language is used are presented and discussed.
Programme affiliation: Part of Master's Programme in Language and Linguistics
Study period:
autumn semester 2025
Type of studies:
part time, 50 %,
day
Study period:
2025-11-03 – 2026-01-18
Language of instruction:
English
- The schedule will be published 2025-06-19.
- Library Guide Language and Linguistics
Information on included parts
- Assignments: Oral and Written , 3 credits
- Course Paper , 4.5 credits