Learning outcome

After successfully completing the course, the candidate will have achieved the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The candidate has:

• In-depth knowledge of the factors that have led to the spread of the English language, and the effect of this spread on the language, together with the ways in which the language is taught in a Scandinavian and European context
• Advanced knowledge of the debate about standards, linguistic evolution and variations in the English language
• In-depth knowledge of how language and changes in language relate to identity
• Fundamental insight into questions relating to national (Norwegian) educational issues of relevance to English language as a subject

Skills

The candidate can:

• Discuss and analyse the relationship between language, culture and identity
• Justify their own stance and relate this to other perspectives in the subject
• Facilitate teaching, focusing on linguistic change and variation, as well as English as a world language

General competence

The candidate has / can:

• Understanding of, and can reflect upon, linguistic change and variation from historical and cultural perspectives
• Reflect on what an altered view of standard English and variations may have for teaching of English
• Developed their competence in English language and culture

Course Description

This course investigates the historical and cultural context of the spread of the English language, and how the language is undergoing developments, changes and variations at both local and global levels. The course also considers the process of standardization in English, questions about linguistic norms and the possible consequences that the development of English into an international language may have for language teaching in a Scandinavian and European context. In addition to focusing on various national and regional variations of English and attitudes to these, we will also focus on social variables, social groups, gender, age and the relationship between language, identity and culture (sociolinguistics). We will also discuss the relationship between standards and variations, linguistic identity and teaching-and-learning cultures.

Teaching and Learning Methods

Teaching and learning methods include: lectures, seminars, exercises, group work, tutorials, presentations and independent study. In addition. the candidate will be given instruction in the presentation of their own assignments.

Assessment Methods

Two course requirements which will be assessed as pass / fail; passing marks are a prerequisite for final assessment.

The final assessment consists of a specialization assignment that will be graded (40% of the final grade), and a written home examination that will also be graded (60% of the final grade).

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean