Introductory description

This optional module for the BASc Global Sustainable Development degrees is intended to engage students in the debate on the absence of any reference to languages in the SDGs by considering the centrality of languages to access rights, in particular in terms of equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Week 1 Lecture/Seminar: Languages in the SDGs
Week 2-5 Lectures: The language-society nexus (intro to sociolinguistics); Multilingualism in artistic productions; Language and identity
Seminars will cover a range of case studies, including:

• Linguistic autobiographies: a self-awareness tool
• Linguistic autobiographies: variants, registers, dialects
• Languages and mass media: languages in TV series
  Multilingualism in literary texts
  Week 5 Students’ presentations
  Week 6-9 Lectures: Language policies at national and international level; ‘Language is power’: language to access services; Displaced populations and minority communities
  Seminars will cover a range of case studies, including:
• English as an ‘official language’: the case of Nigeria
• Multilingualism in Europe: an international perspective on language policies
• Language rights and linguistic minorities in Italy
• Language and immigration status in the UK
  Week 10 Revision

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• By the end of the module, students will have developed a critical understanding of key theoretical tools in the areas of languages and multilingualism
• By the end of the module, students will have engaged critically with current linguistic and sociolinguistic policies and debates
• By the end of the module, students will have examined representations of multilingualism in artistic productions
• By the end of the module, students will have developed a deep (socio-)linguistic self-awareness
• By the end of the module, students will have implemented reflective practices that facilitate learning

Indicative reading list

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Research element

This is an optional module on the Global Sustainable Development course which adopts an interdisciplinary approach spanning the arts, humanities, social and natural sciences fields in order to engage with the major global challenges facing contemporary society, explore these 'big problems,' from a variety of perspectives and consider a range of possible solutions. Specifically, this module aims to develop students research skills as they investigate a range of theories and debates in the area languages and multilingualism.

Interdisciplinary

This is an optional module on the Global Sustainable Development courses which adopt an interdisciplinary approach spanning the arts, humanities, social and natural sciences fields in order to engage with the major global challenges facing contemporary society, explore these 'big problems,' from a variety of perspectives and consider a range of possible solutions.

International

This is an optional module on the Global Sustainable Development course which offers a unique trans-disciplinary and international learning experience that allows students to achieve breadth and depth of knowledge.

Subject specific skills

1. Develop a critical understanding of key theoretical tools in the areas of languages and multilingualism
2. Engage critically with current linguistic and sociolinguistic policies and debates
3. Examine representations of multilingualism in artistic productions
4. Develop a deep (socio-)linguistic self-awareness

Transferable skills

Implement reflective practices that facilitate learning Oral and written communication skills Digital literacy skills Professional communication skills Working with others skills Problem solving skills Information technology skills Research across various disciplines and using a variety of methods