FNLA 483 : SOCIOLINGUISTICS

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FNLA 483 Professor Natalie Lefkowitz
Winter 2006 MW 2-3:40 L&L 325
963-3328 Office Hours: TTh 2-3:30 and by
[email protected] appointment in L&L 102L

FNLA 483 : SOCIOLINGUISTICS

Welcome to sociolinguistics! The course will introduce students to cross-cultural phenomena that affect second/foreign
language acquisition in a variety of contexts. We will focus on the complex relationships that result when language,
power and identity interact. Particular attention will be given to discrimination resulting from language and social class;
language and gender; language and ethnicity; language and age; solidarity and politeness across cultures; linguistic
inequality; sociolinguistic diversity and language choice. Other possible topics include multi- and bilingualism,
language attitudes, varieties of U.S. Spanish, and language play. You are encouraged to do final projects that are
specific to the languages that you study and/or teach.

STUDENT BACKGROUND: Students in this course are generally enrolled in the teaching credential program. They
are working on BAs in the target language, are upper division students, or graduate students. You are not encouraged to
take this course if you have not taken the prerequisites, do not have any background in applied linguistics, or have not
gotten my permission.

READINGS:
Holmes, Janet. 2001. An Introduction to Sociolinguistics, 2nd edition. London: Longman.

STUDENT OUTCOMES:
By the end of the course, students will have had the opportunity to:
a) read, analyze and discuss critically major readings in the field of sociolinguistics
b) be conversant in the theoretical issues and terminology of the field
c) conduct empirical research by collecting and analyzing original language data/or by doing a traditional research
paper/poster on a major topic in the field, and presenting results to the class
d) become comfortable consulting major library and internet sources related to the field of sociolinguistics

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS AND ASSESSMENT:

Participation and Attendance 10 points

Discussion Leadership 10 points

Midterm Exam 10 points

Reading/Language Journal 40 points

Research Prospectus 10 points

Final Project 20 points

(Full explanation of grading criteria and class requirements are provided with each assignment)

GRADING SCALE: 100% - 92% Superior
A 4.0 91% - 90% Excellent
A- 3.7 89% - 88% Very Good
B+ 3.3 87% - 82% High Pass
B 3.0 81% - 80% Good
B- 2.7 79% - 78% Not Bad
C+ 2.3 77% - 72% Pass
C 2.0 71% - 70% OK
C- 1.7 69% - 68% Not Good
D+ 1.3 67% - 62% Low Pass
D 1.0 61% - 60% Pretty Bad
D- 0.7 59% - 00% Try Again
F 0.0

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FNLA 483: Topics, Readings and Videos (Tentative)
Dr. Natalie Lefkowitz

Week Topic Assignment
1 1/4 Introductions and Roleplays

2 1/9 What is sociolinguistics? Holmes Chapter 1

1/11 Language Choice Holmes Chapter 2

VIDEO AND DISCUSSION: Victim of Two Cultures

3 1/16 Martin Luther King Jr. Day No school

1/18 Linguistic Varieties and Multicultural Nations Holmes Chapter 4

4 1/23 Regional and Social Dialects Homes Chapter 6
1/25 VIDEO AND DISCUSSION: American Tongues Research Topic Due

5 1/30 Gender and Age Holmes Chapter 7

2/1 VIDEO AND DISCUSSION: Sexism in Language Midterm Exam

6 2/6 Ethnicity and Social Networks Holmes Chapter 8

2/8 VIDEO AND DISCUSSION: Exploring Language Research Prospectus Due

7 2/13 Style, Context and Register Holmes Chapter 10

2/15 VIDEO AND DISCUSSION: Stylistic Differences

8 2/20 Presidents’ Day No School

2/22 Speech Functions, Politeness and Cross-Cultural Holmes Chapter 11
Differences Data Collection Completed

9 2/27 Gender, Politeness and Stereotypes Holmes Chapter 12

3/1 VIDEO AND DISCUSSION: Crosstalk

10 3/6 Attitudes and Applications Holmes Chapter 14

3/8 Conclusion Holmes Chapter 15
Final Project Due

11 3/11 Mini-Conference: Final Project Presentations 3
(12:00-2:00)
Oral Presentations Due