Delivered at:: School of Linguistics

Course type:: Elective course

When:: 2 year, 2, 3 module

Instructors

Vlakhov, Andrian

Ryzhkov, Aleksei

Full Syllabus

Abstract

This course is designed for MA students interested in the social dimension of language. More specifically, Linguistic Anthropology focuses on the cultural importance of language and speaking as an essential part of our everyday life socialization. Language and culture are both complex phenomena that can both function at supranational, national and local levels. The objective of this course is to introduce students to some theoretical issues and concepts related to different topics of Linguistic Anthropology. Students will investigate the inter-dynamics of language and culture, identity, ideologies. Moreover, the course will outline the socio-political dimension of a speech community in language contact situations: what it means to be a citizen, how linguistic solidarity can contribute to group belonging, what outcomes of language(s)/culture(s) contact there are and how these may affect cultural/ethnic self-perception. The course will likewise provide insights into ethnographic approaches to linguistic fieldwork. More specifically, students will learn and understand how linguistic anthropologists conduct research, what topics they investigate, what questions they ask, what methods they utilize and what conclusions they may draw with what implications.

Learning Objectives

to familiarize students with the main topics/concepts of Linguistic Anthropology
to teach students to be able to distinguish different definitions of and approaches to language and culture
to insightfully demonstrate the main methodological instruments utilized by linguistic anthropologists

Expected Learning Outcomes

critically examines various definitions/notions in Linguistic Anthropology
knows how socio-political, cultural and economic forces can affect language
knows what a fieldwork is and practices various ethnographic techniques

Course Contents

Introduction: What is Linguistic Anthropology?
Speech community
Language contact
Language ideologies and attitudes
The interplay of language and identity
Ethnography: methods and interpretation
Ethnic/minority language use
Language socialization

Assessment Elements

written assignment 1
за 1 модуль
participation 1
за 1 модуль
written assignment 2
за 2 модуль
participation 2
за 2 модуль

Interim Assessment

2021/2022 3rd module
0.3 * written assignment 1 + 0.2 * participation 2 + 0.2 * participation 1 + 0.3 * written assignment 2

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Ahearn, L. M. (2017). Living Language : An Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology. Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1367895

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Holmes, J., & Wilson, N. (2017). An Introduction to Sociolinguistics (Vol. Fifth Edition). Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1467482

Master’s Programme 'Russian as a Foreign Language in Cross-Linguistic and Cross-Cultural Perspective'

Linguistic Anthropology