General provisions

This course is an elective.

Entry requirements

General entry requirements and English 6 or English B

Learning outcomes

The objective of this course is to give the students basic knowledge of the usage and variation of the Swedish language. The course will also give the students insigths into the social significance of language and an orientation of multilingualism.

Upon completing the course student will be able to

• describe and exemplify the variation and change of language with regard to social, regional and situational factors including aspects of gender
• describe and define basic concepts within the research field of sociolinguistics, contact linguistics and multilingualism
• give an account of and discuss the language situation in Sweden, including the official minority languages of Sweden
• put the central areas of knowledge of the course into practice in a group project

Content

The course engages with the variation and change of language with regard to social, regional and situational factors. The language situation and the attitudes towards languages in Sweden is examined in relation to questions of usage guidance and language planning. Attention is given to the role of the interplay of language as a creator and upholder of social relations. As part of the course the students will carry out a project in which they study a topic that has been brougth up during the course. The course project will be presented orally and in writing.

Instruction

The course instruction will consist of lectures, classes and exercises.

Assessment

The course will be examined through a written and/or an oral exam. The students will carry out a small study of a sociolinguistic topic and give an oral or a written presentation of the study.

For students who fail the exam a re-test will be arranged within a reasonable time after the first exam. Students who have failed an exam twice have the opportunity (after a consultation with the Prefect) to request a change of examiner or form of examination.

Grading System: Fail (U), Pass (G), Pass with distinction (VG).