Language and Society

The course is offered as a freestanding course.

The course can be part of the following programme: 1) Master's Programme in Language and Intercultural Communication (H2SIK)

The requirement for admission to the course is a Bachelor's degree of 180 credits or the equivalent foreign qualification including an individual assignment of 15 credits at advanced level. An additional requirement is English 6 or English level 2 from the Swedish upper-secondary school or the equivalent level from an internationally acknowledged test.

Depending on what the main field of study is, there is a requirement of 60 credits in English, French, Spanish or German, alternatively 90 credits in Arabic or Russian, or 120 credits in Japanese or Chinese, or the equivalent level of proficiency in respective language from an internationally acknowledged test. For students with African languages as their main field of study, there are no requirements of prior knowledge in the subject.

The role of language in society and linguistic relations in the world are treated from sociolinguistic and intercultural perspectives. The course gives examples of, among other things, how history, politics, economics, religion and migration can influence language use, language planning and language policy of groups and societies. The course also deals with contact linguistics, aspects of power relations and the linguistic market, questions about minority languages and linguistic hierarchies. The questions posed in the course are treated from both diachronic, synchronic and ethical perspectives.

On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• understand and explain the role of the language in social structures in different cultures and during different epochs; 
• describe how linguistic realities and considerations interact with and are influenced by social, cultural and political relations in a language area;

Competence and skills

• be able to explain the role of the language in social structures;
• use and apply sociolinguistic theories and methods in a specified and delimited field;

Judgement and approach

• demonstrate the ability to identify and critically analyse relations that have their basis in linguistic realities and language-political considerations in the main field of study

Lectures and seminars.

Language of instruction: English

Examination is done in English and in the language that the student has chosen as his/her main field of study. To what extent the student has achieved the aim of the course is tested through written and oral presentations as well as participation in seminars.

Students who have failed any part of the course are given the possibility of a new test. In connection with written assignments, supplementary assignments may be offered in order for the student to achieve a Pass grade. Such a supplementary assignment should be done within the stipulated time (normally five working days after the result has been posted). Otherwise a Fail grade will be reported.

A student who has passed a subtest may not do a new test for a higher grade. Nor do students have the right to withdraw a submitted test and in such a way avoid being graded.

If a student who has failed the same examined component twice, wants to change examiner before the next examination, they should submit a written request to the department responsible for the course. The request shall be granted unless there are special reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6, Section 22 of Higher Education Ordinance).

If the University of Gothenburg has decided that a student is eligible for special study support, the examiner may, provided it is compatible with the aim of the course and it can be done within the scope of available resources, decide to offer the student an adjusted examination or a different examination format.

If the course has been discontinued or substantially revised, a student should be guaranteed to sit the examination on at least three occasions (including the ordinary examination occasion) during a period of at least one year, but not later than two years after the course was discontinued or revised. As regards internships/placement the same as above applies, with the exception that examination is offered on only one occasion.

The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U). To pass the course with distinction, the grade Pass with distinction is required on both parts of the course, Part 1: Language and Society: an introduction, 4 credits and Part 2: Language and Society, a specialization, 3,5 credits.

The students are given the opportunity to make a written evaluation of the course. Results of the evaluation are published digitally.

Equality aspects should be taken into account in content, literature, teaching and evaluation.