Master
2023/2024
Linguistic Anthropology
Category 'Best Course for Broadening Horizons and Diversity of Knowledge and Skills'
Type:
Compulsory course (Culture Studies)
Area of studies:
Cultural Studies
Delivered by:
School of Philosophy and Cultural Studies
Where:
Faculty of Humanities
When:
2 year, 1, 2 module
Mode of studies:
offline
Open to:
students of all HSE University campuses
Instructors:
Andrian Vlakhov
Master’s programme:
Culture Studies
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
6
Contact hours:
32
Course Syllabus
Abstract
The course covers variation of linguistic structures in cross-cultural perspective. The course considers language as a cultural resource and behavior. It provides a general overview of the empirical and methodological studies of linguistic categorization (e.g. the study of color terms, kinship terms, cardinal and relative directions, noun categorization); social functions of proper names and ethnography of naming; linguistic taboos; genderlects; ethnography of speaking; functions and structural properties of ritual languages; properties of traditional texts and story-telling; popular etymology and rites based on it, use of language as magical means; function of language as basis of mythological beliefs and plots. The course surveys linguistic methods in anthropology: linguofolkloristics, ethnolinguistics etc. It introduces the students to the main methods of molecular anthropology in reconstructing the global history of human kind and local histories of language contact and shift. Some of the above aspects of the study of language are highly relevant for field research, on the theoretical level, to understand and document worldwide variation of linguistic functions and often, and on the practical level, to conduct linguistic research and carry out analysis of naturalistic discourse.
Learning Objectives
- The course covers variation of linguistic structures in cross-cultural perspective. The course considers language as a cultural resource and behavior. It provides a general overview of the empirical and methodological studies of linguistic categorization (e.g. the study of color terms, kinship terms, cardinal and relative directions, noun categorization); social functions of proper names and ethnography of naming; linguistic taboos; genderlects; ethnography of speaking; functions and structural properties of ritual languages; properties of traditional texts and story-telling; popular etymology and rites based on it, use of language as magical means; function of language as basis of mythological beliefs and plots. The course surveys linguistic methods in anthropology: linguofolkloristics, ethnolinguistics etc. It introduces the students to the main methods of molecular anthropology in reconstructing the global history of human kind and local histories of language contact and shift. Some of the above aspects of the study of language are highly relevant for field research, on the theoretical level, to understand and document worldwide variation of linguistic functions and often, and on the practical level, to conduct linguistic research and carry out analysis of naturalistic discourse.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- critically examines various definitions/notions in Linguistic Anthropology
- 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
- Активность на семинарахОценивается участие в дискуссиях на семинарских занятиях и степень освоенности предлагаемых обязательных к чтению статей.
- Эссе по первой половине курсаЭссе пишется на английском языке, включает в себя письменный ответ (800–1000 слов каждые) на любые три из пяти дискуссионных вопросов по первой половине курса.
- Эссе по второй половине курсаЭссе пишется на английском языке, включает в себя письменный ответ (800–1000 слов каждые) на любые три из пяти дискуссионных вопросов по второй половине курса.
Interim Assessment
- 2023/2024 2nd module0.2 * Активность на семинарах + 0.2 * Активность на семинарах + 0.3 * Эссе по второй половине курса + 0.3 * Эссе по первой половине курса
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