EIU2130

English as the language of action and reflection

Lorraine Bullock

8 points
* 4 hours per week
* Second semester
* Clayton
* Prerequisites: EIU2110 or permission of the subject convener

Objectives Through the study of various socio-cultural language theories and experience of their practical application, it is expected that by the end of the subject, second-language students will have formed a deeper understanding of text situations in English. Students will be able to identify the implied messages in text where the individual world view of the writer and the cultural values of the context govern the message.

Synopsis In this subject second language speakers of English have the opportunity to study English beyond the functional, communicative level and examine it as a language that includes individual, personal, social and cultural perspectives. It is a study of the way in which English evokes, by implication and suggestion, a level of meaning which is not always easily accessible to the second language speaker. Students will have the opportunity to examine a variety of texts, both creative and functional, in which the connotative aspects of the message are governed by the world view of the writer and the cultural values of the context. For the second language speaker, these are messages that are often concealed by the socio-cultural context of the intention and by the historical-cultural determination of the language choices within the text.

Assessment Written (2000 words): 30%
* Examinations (3 hours): 30%
* Seminar participation: 5%
* Seminar paper: 15%
* Research paper (1000 words): 20%

Prescribed texts

Set texts and supplementary references are provided in the course handbook available from the Department of English.