Module Directory

This module is designed to prepare students wishing to join a degree course in the Faculty of Social Sciences and provides a sound academic background in how areas of language, society and politics are intertwined and how they influence the way we interact and shape the world around us.

The aims of this module are:

• To raise students' awareness of key concepts and issues within politics and linguistics and to equip students with the tools to carry out linguistic analyses;


• To encourage students to think critically and carefully about issues such as democracy, citizenship, inequality, and sustainability;


• To broaden students' knowledge of political and linguistic theory through application of theory;


• To encourage students to be confident in the expression of their thoughts and ideas in seminars and groups;


• To enable students to write and think creatively;


• To support students to develop key communication, teamwork and employability skills.

By the end of this module students will be expected to be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of key political and linguistic concepts and theories.


2. Interpret political and linguistic research and analyses and apply to areas of Social Science.


3. Demonstrate an ability to search through literature and data sources for appropriate material and undertake critical analysis of said material.


4. Engage critically with a wide range of academic texts of relevance to the student’s discipline.


5. Identify and recreate structure, style and specialist academic language required for different types of assignments.


6. Use major concepts and theories in linguistics and politics to understand real-world sociopolitical phenomena.

Skills for your professional life (Transferable Skills)

By the end of this module, you will have practised the following transferable skills: 

1. Problem solving through data analysis;


2. Self-motivation / taking responsibility through reflective self and peer-to-peer practices;


3. Growth mindset through raising awareness of and working with the learning competence cycle;


4. Effective team-working skills;


5. Application of theory to practice and real-world problems;


6. IT skills through the use of various technologies, such as Moodle, Microsoft Word, and slide presentations.

Indicative Syllabus

Politics

• What is politics?


• Environmental Politics and Introduction to the UN SDGs


• Inequality


• Democracy and Legitimacy


• Class and Power


• Media


• Introduction to UK Government


• Representation and Elections


• Identity Politics: Gender


• Identity Politics: Race

Linguistics

• Language variation and change


• The role of first / second language in society


• Accents and stereotypes


• Language and culture


• Climate change and language


• Quantitative research methodologies

Teaching and learning on Essex Pathways modules offers students the ability to develop the foundation knowledge, skills, and competencies to study at undergraduate level, through a curriculum that is purposely designed to provide an exceptional learning experience. All teaching, learning and assessment materials will be available via Moodle in a consistent and user-friendly manner.

This module will be delivered via 1 x 2-hour lecture and 1 x 2-hour seminar per week. Students will be expected to have done the prescribed reading for the sessions so that they can fully participate in discussions. During seminars, students will engage in thoughtful discussions about the week’s topic and assigned reading(s), as well as work on both solo and group activities and exercises. Both the fields of linguistics and politics will be introduced at a level accessible for all students and no prior knowledge of the discipline area is required.

Learning support

Students are expected to engage with Moodle for materials and support activities for their continuous learning opportunities. Students will be supported in their research skills, essay writing, referencing and bibliographical procedures within this discipline. Students are also supported through the Listen Again facility and use of technology in their teaching and learning. All students will have access to Academic Support Hours.