English Language (Joint Honours) BA (Hons) module details
Year one (Level 4)
Words in Action
Introduction to Grammar and Linguistics – this module introduces you to the key concepts of linguistics as a discipline, developing the foundation level of knowledge and skills you will build on in later years.
Evolving Language: An Introduction to the Histories of Language
An Introduction to Histories of Language – using the past, present and future of English as the core subject, we examine the various forces (social, political, cultural and technological) which cause a language to develop over time.
Year two (Level 5)
Sociolinguistics
Language in the real world; an examination of how language reflects and is shaped by the environment in which it is used.
Grammar: Analysing linguistic structure
How are words and sentences put together? This module builds on the first year modules to further develop your skills in grammatical analysis.
Semantics: Analysing linguistic meaning
What are meanings made of? An examination of the complex subject of linguistic meaning, and the study of the various ways in which we communicate (or fail to communicate) clearly and unambiguously.
Phonetics and Phonology
Investigating the sounds and structures of spoken language, and examining the acoustic landscape of speech.
Research Methods for Linguists
This module introduces students to key principles of conducting effective research within the specific context of linguistics.
Language in Context
On this module you learn about pragmatics, the study of language use in context, and how utterance meaning can go beyond the meanings of the words used.
Pragmatics in the Real World
This module deals with the application of pragmatics (the study of language use in context) to real world contexts such as legal language and advertising.
English Language in UK Schools
An introduction to the issues and debates surrounding English Language as a subject in the UK system, of particular interest to those considering a career in teaching.
Introducing English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
This module introduces students to some of the principles, methods and practices of teaching English to speakers of other languages.
Year three (Level 6)
English Language Dissertation
An independent research project on a subject of your own choice. This is where you can show us what inspires and interests you about the subject.
English Language in the Workplace (Placement Module)
You will undertake work experience throughout the year and also conduct a study in linguistic anthropology, examining the use of English in a specific context. This module will also develop your presentation and public speaking skills, as well as your general self-confidence and employability.
Language Acquisition
The focus of this module is how language is acquired. We consider questions such as: How do children acquire language? How do you acquire a second language? Is bilingual acquisition different from acquiring just one language?
Language, Mind and Culture
On this module, you will examine the complex relationship between language, thought and culture, considering, for instance, if the language you speak affects how you think.
Powerful Language: An Introduction To Rhetoric
The tools of effective, persuasive communication have been studied for over two millennia; what is now presented as advertising, PR, ‘news management’ or ‘spin’ has in previous centuries been known as ‘rhetoric’. This module considers rhetoric both in theory and in practice.
Perception, Persuasion, Power: Communication and Control
This module examines the techniques of persuasive communication as they are employed in the real world in a variety of domains, including propaganda, political discourse, advertising and interrogation.
Textual Studies Using Computers
On this module you will use computers to tackle questions like: Who had the larger vocabulary, Shakespeare or Austen? Or, is it true that c and k are the funniest letters? With hands-on experience of how computers store and process literary texts, you will devise your own project to ask and answer original questions that shed new light on literature.
Language, Gender and Sexuality
This module examines the complex role that language plays in the construction of gender and sexuality in contemporary society. You will learn about a range of theoretical approaches to the study of language, gender and sexuality, including feminism, performativity, queer linguistics and intersectionality. These approaches will be examined in relation to various spoken and written data from domains such as the media, the workplace and online spaces. You will critically evaluate the role that language plays in the construction of identities and in real-world issues such as sexism and homophobia. You will carry out your own research on a topic that relates to language, gender and sexuality, developing your skills in data collection, analysis and evaluation.
Data From Texts: Corpus Linguistics
Corpus linguistics provides computer-assisted methods to investigate patterns of language use, based on large collections of ‘real world’ texts (whether written, spoken or online). This module introduces you to the key principles and techniques of corpus linguistics as an approach to linguistic analysis. It covers areas such as commonly-used methods, how to build a corpus and the application of corpus methods in a range of fields such as critical discourse analysis, sociolinguistics and forensic linguistics.
Note: All modules are subject to change in order to keep content current.