English Language and Sociology

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Academic Year of Entry: 2015/16 - 2016/17 - 2017/18 - 2018/19 - 2019/20 - 2020/21 - 2021/22 - 2022/23 - 2023/24
Course overview
(BA) Bachelor of Arts
English Language and Sociology
Withdrawn
University of Essex
University of Essex
Language and Linguistics
Colchester Campus
Honours Degree
Full-time
Linguistics
Sociology
BA LQ31
25/04/2014

Details

Professional accreditation

None

Admission criteria

A-levels: ABB-BBB

IB: 32-30 points

Entry requirements for students studying BTEC qualifications are dependent on units studied. Advice can be provided on an individual basis. The standard required is generally at Distinction level.

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code

English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall. (Different requirements apply for second year entry.)

If you are an international student requiring a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.

Other English language qualifications may be acceptable so please contact us for further details. If we accept the English component of an international qualification then it will be included in the information given about the academic levels required. Please note that date restrictions may apply to some English language qualifications.

Course qualifiers

A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).

None

Rules of assessment

Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.

Additional notes

None

External examiners

Staff photo
Dr Glyn David Hicks

Lecturer

The University of Southampton

External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment. External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course. They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards. External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.

Key

Core You must take this module.
You must pass this module. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options You can choose which module to study.
You must pass this module. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory You must take this module.
There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the degree if you fail.
Compulsory with Options You can choose which module to study.
There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the degree if you fail.
Optional You can choose which module to study.
There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the degree if you fail.

Year 1 - 2015/16

Component Number Module Code Module Title Status Min Credits Max Credits
01  LG102-4-FY-CO  Language in Use  Compulsory  30 
02  LG105-4-FY-CO  Foundations of Linguistics  Compulsory  30 
03  SC101-4-FY-CO  Researching Social Life I  Compulsory  30 
04  SC111-4-FY-CO  The Sociological Imagination  Compulsory  30 
05  LA099-4-FY-CO  Careers and Employability Skills for Languages and Linguistics  Compulsory 

Year 2 - 2016/17

Component Number Module Code Module Title Status Min Credits Max Credits
01  SC201-5-FY-CO  Continuity and Controversy in Sociology: Sociological Analysis II  Compulsory  30 
02  LG210-5-AU-CO  Phonology  Compulsory  15 
03  LG212-5-AU-CO  Analysing the structure of English  Compulsory  15 
04  LG211-5-SP-CO  Semantics and Pragmatics  Compulsory  15 
05  LG213-5-SP-CO  Research methods for language and linguistics  Compulsory  15 
06    Sociology option(s) from list  Optional  30 
07  LA099-5-FY-CO  Careers and Employability Skills for Languages and Linguistics  Compulsory 

Year 3 - 2017/18

Component Number Module Code Module Title Status Min Credits Max Credits
01  SC301-6-FY-CO  Current Disputes in Sociology: Sociological Analysis III  Compulsory  30 
02    Sociology option(s) from list  Optional  30 
03    English Language option(s) from list  Optional  30 
04  LG831-6-FY-CO  Project: Linguistics  Compulsory  30 
05  LA099-6-FY-CO  Careers and Employability Skills for Languages and Linguistics  Compulsory 

Exit awards

A module is given one of the following statuses: 'core' – meaning it must be taken and passed; 'compulsory' – meaning it must be taken; or 'optional' – meaning that students can choose the module from a designated list. The rules of assessment may allow for limited condonement of fails in 'compulsory' or 'optional' modules, but 'core' modules cannot be failed. The status of the module may be different in any exit awards which are available for the course. Exam Boards will consider students' eligibility for an exit award if they fail the main award or do not complete their studies.

Programme aims

This course aims to:

Introduce students to contemporary linguistic approaches to the study of language in society, familiarising them with the principles of sociolinguistic theory and description and with aspects of sociological theory and method.

Develop knowledge and understanding of key concepts, issues, ideas, theories, styles of argumentation, evaluation criteria and research methods used in contemporary research on sociolinguistics, language variation and related areas of sociology, as well as associated methodological, theoretical and descriptive issues.

Equip students with a wide range of transferable cogniative, practical and key skills, and a foundation for further study, emplyoment and lifelong learning.

The outcomes listed below represent the minimum expected of a graduate on this course, it is anticipated that the vast majority of graduates will achieve significantly more

Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods

On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:

A: Knowledge and understanding

A1: Contemporary linguistic approaches to the study of language, language learning, and language teaching and how researchers in another country approach the study of language.

A2: A selecion of work on theory and description in sociolinguistics, sociology and language variation

A3: Key concepts, issues, ideas, theories, styles or argumentation, evaluation criteria and research methods used in contemporary research on sociolinguistics, language variation and related areas of sociology, as well as with associated methodological, theoretical and descriptive issues

Learning methods

A range of teaching and learning methods are employed which typically include: lectures, seminars and classes; tutorials for project work; library and internet materials; printed/web course materials; independent learning or research; office/email consultation with staff; written or oral feedback from staff on work.

Assessment methods

Knowledge and understanding are assessed by a range of methods which typically include some combination of the following: written unseen exams; coursework assignments; exercises; a literature review; an individual or team research project; and an oral presentation.

B: Intellectual and cognitive skills

B1: Abstract and synthesise information from a range of sources (lectures/seminars/classes, journals, books, internet etc.) identifying those ideas or findings which are most significant

B2: Make observations and generalisations about data or behaviour or other materials, using appropriate analytic techniques

B3: Abstract and synthesise information from a range of sources (lectures/seminars/classes, journals, books, internet etc.) identifying those ideas or findings which are most significant

Learning methods

A range of teaching and learning methods are employed which typically include: lectures, seminars and classes; tutorials for project work; library and internet materials; printed/web course materials; independent learning or research; office/email consultation with staff; written or oral feedback from staff on work.

Assessment methods

Cognitive skills are assessed by a range of methods which typically include some combination of the following: written unseen exams; coursework assignments; exercises; a literature review; an individual or team research project; and an oral presentation.

C: Practical skills

C1: Gather and process information from a range of different sources

C2: Plan, undertake and present an independent piece of work which involves reviewing existing work on a given topic, making use of standard referencing conventions

C3: Utilise specialised techniques for the collection, analysis, presentation or evaluation of materials, data or behaviour

Learning methods

A range of teaching and learning methods are employed which typically include: lectures, seminars and classes; tutorials for project work; library and internet materials; printed/web course materials; independent learning or research; office/email/web consultation with staff; written or oral feedback from staff on work.

Assessment methods

Practical skills are assessed by a range of methods which typically include some combination of the following: written unseen exams; coursework assignments; exercises; a literature review; an individual or team research project; and an oral presentation.

D: Key skills

D1: Communicate ideas, information and arguments in a manner which is relevant, focused, effective, and clear, using an appropriate register, style and format, and with an international audience in mind

D2: Use appropriate computational tools and software to obtain, store or process information electronically and (where required) produce materials in electronic form

D3: Make and understand basic numerical and statistical generalisations about data

D4: Analyse complex data, materials or behaviour, using appropriate specialised techniques, formulating and testing research hypotheses, identifying problems and evaluating solutions

D5: Working with others to discuss and resolve issues and problems and set and achieve joint goals and objectives

D6: Using oral and written feedback provided on assessed or unassessed written or oral work, discussions with staff, fellow students and visiting scholars, insights gained from modules, workshops, talks, reading and research, developing a critical and reflective approach to the development of one's own work and the knowledge and skills required to progress

Learning methods

Communication skills are taught through lectures, seminars, classes, advice in the Departmental Handbook, and feedback from teachers on assessed work.

Generic IT skills are taught on induction courses run by the University and the Department, with more specialised IT skills (where appropriate) being taught on some LG and SC modules.

Analytic and study skills (D3, D4, D5) are taught through lectures, seminars, and classes; tutorials for project work; library and internet materials; printed/web course materials; advice in the Departmental Handbook; independent learning or research; office/email consultation with staff; written or oral feedback from staff.

Assessment methods

Key skills are assessed by a range of methods which typically include some combination of the following: written unseen exams; coursework assignments; exercises; a literature review; an individual or team research project; and an oral presentation.


Note

The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include a change of law or regulatory requirements, industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key personnel, change in government policy, or withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.

Contact

If you are thinking of studying at Essex and have questions about the course, please contact Undergraduate Admissions by emailing admit@essex.ac.uk, or Postgraduate Admissions by emailing pgadmit@essex.ac.uk.

If you're a current student and have questions about your course or specific modules, please contact your department.

If you think there might be an error on this page, please contact the Course Records Team by emailing crt@essex.ac.uk.