LIN2390

Language, communication and the sexes

Joanne Winter

8 points
* 3 hours per week
* First semester
* Clayton
* Prerequisites: LIN1010 and LIN1020 or ENH1111/CLS1010 and ENH1040/ENH1122/CLS1020

Objectives On the successful completion of this subject students should have an understanding of the issues in the representation of women and men in language and the discursive construction of gender in language use and be able to analyse and critically interpret linguistic sexism in a range of spoken and written texts using appropriate theoretical concepts and frameworks.

Synopsis This subject examines the relationship between sex/gender/sexuality, language use, linguistic representation and communicative behaviour. The examination of differences in the language use and communication patterns of the sexes focuses on (i) a variety of languages including Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, and Swedish; (ii) written and spoken texts and (iii) public and private contexts including patient/doctor interaction, computer mediated interaction, interpersonal communication and educational settings.

Assessment Language analysis exercise (1000 words): 20%
* Research project (3000 words): 40%
* Examination (1 hour): 20%
* Class fieldwork report (1000 words): 20%

Prescribed texts

Coates J Language and gender: A reader Longman, 1997