Master
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Linguistic Anthropology
Category 'Best Course for New Knowledge and Skills'
Type:
Elective course (Russian as a Foreign Language in Cross-Linguistic and Cross-Cultural Perspective)
Area of studies:
Fundamental and Applied Linguistics
Delivered by:
School of Linguistics
Where:
Faculty of Humanities
When:
2 year, 2, 3 module
Mode of studies:
distance learning
Online hours:
28
Open to:
students of all HSE University campuses
Master’s programme:
Russian as a Foreign Language in Cross-Linguistic and Cross-Cultural Perspective
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
3
Contact hours:
32
Course 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 1за 1 модуль
- participation 1за 1 модуль
- written assignment 2за 2 модуль
- participation 2за 2 модуль
Interim Assessment
- 2021/2022 3rd module0.3 * 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