PL30971: Language, power and society
[Page last updated: 25 April 2025]
| Academic Year: | 2025/26 |
| Owning Department/School: | Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies |
| Credits: | 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] |
| Notional Study Hours: | 120 |
| Level: | Honours (FHEQ level 6) |
| Period: |
- Semester 2
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| Assessment Summary: | CWSI 33%, EXCB 67% |
| Assessment Detail: |
- Coursework (CWSI 33%)
- Exam (EXCB 67%)
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| Supplementary Assessment: |
- Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
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| Requisites: |
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| Learning Outcomes: |
By the end of the unit, students will be able to:
* Demonstrate a critical understanding of the roles of language in power relations
* Apply principles from the literature on language power to their own analysis of contemporary contexts
* Critically reflect on their own and others' analyses of power relations.
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| Synopsis: | Explore the relationship between language and power.
You will study and reflect critically on interpersonal and socio-political contexts, and the ways in which power dynamics are maintained and / or challenged through language. You'll then apply these theories to your own analysis of case studies.
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| Content: | Topics covered in this unit will include:
* Language in personhood and group identity; language markers and social status; prestige and norm setting.
* Language and gender; inclusive language.
* Multilingualism; language policy and planning; English as a lingua franca; minority languages.
* Language and the media.
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| Skills: | Skills in critical analysis, conceptual thinking, precision in the use of written and spoken language, exercise of independent judgement, reasoned argument and the planning/conduct/reporting of non-quantitative research are developed and assessed in this unit.
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| Aims: | This unit aims to familiarise students with key areas of linkage between language and its role in power relations. Students will be required to critically reflect on socio-political contexts and the ways in which these are maintained and changed by and through particular uses of language. They will apply the principles studied to their own analysis of contemporary international contexts, informed by their reading of the literature on language and power.
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| Course availability: |
PL30971 is Optional on the following courses:
Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
- UHPL-AYB31 : BA(Hons) Modern Languages (French and ab initio German) with Year Abroad (Year 4)
- UHPL-AYB34 : BA(Hons) Modern Languages (French and ab initio Italian) with Year Abroad (Year 4)
- UHPL-AYB35 : BA(Hons) Modern Languages (French and ab initio Mandarin) with Year Abroad (Year 4)
- UHPL-AYB33 : BA(Hons) Modern Languages (French and ab initio Russian) with Year Abroad (Year 4)
- UHPL-AYB32 : BA(Hons) Modern Languages (French and ab initio Spanish) with Year Abroad (Year 4)
- UHPL-AYB31 : BA(Hons) Modern Languages (French and German) with Year Abroad (Year 4)
- UHPL-AYB32 : BA(Hons) Modern Languages (French and Spanish) with Year Abroad (Year 4)
- UHPL-AYB31 : BA(Hons) Modern Languages (German and ab initio French) with Year Abroad (Year 4)
- UHPL-AYB38 : BA(Hons) Modern Languages (German and ab initio Italian) with Year Abroad (Year 4)
- UHPL-AYB39 : BA(Hons) Modern Languages (German and ab initio Mandarin) with Year Abroad (Year 4)
- UHPL-AYB37 : BA(Hons) Modern Languages (German and ab initio Russian) with Year Abroad (Year 4)
- UHPL-AYB36 : BA(Hons) Modern Languages (German and ab initio Spanish) with Year Abroad (Year 4)
- UHPL-AYB36 : BA(Hons) Modern Languages (German and Spanish) with Year Abroad (Year 4)
- UHPL-AYB32 : BA(Hons) Modern Languages (Spanish and ab initio French) with Year Abroad (Year 4)
- UHPL-AYB36 : BA(Hons) Modern Languages (Spanish and ab initio German) with Year Abroad (Year 4)
- UHPL-AYB41 : BA(Hons) Modern Languages (Spanish and ab initio Italian) with Year Abroad (Year 4)
- UHPL-AYB42 : BA(Hons) Modern Languages (Spanish and ab initio Mandarin) with Year Abroad (Year 4)
- UHPL-AYB40 : BA(Hons) Modern Languages (Spanish and ab initio Russian) with Year Abroad (Year 4)
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Notes: - This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2025/26 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2026/27 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2025/26.
- 好色tv and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
- Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
- Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.
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