ENGLISH LANGUAGE & LINGUISTICS 1A: Language, Meaning, and Power

Description

How do we create meaning from the air we breathe and from marks on a page? How has language been exploited now and throughout history for effect, self-expression, and story-telling? In English Language & Linguistics we study the most intricate, powerful, and beautiful parts of our most valuable human asset - language. In three strands this course explores in d etail how newspapers, adverts, and politicians all try to persuade us; how linguistic meaning and structure are key to making ourselves understood; and how the 1500-year history of English tells us about who we are and where we came from. Course aims: Th is course aim s to: ■ enable students to gain an understanding of how language works, with particular reference to the contexts and structures of English ■ develop a critical awareness of how language is used and especially how it is used to persuade people and create p oints of view ■ develop skills in the use of basic tools describing and discussing language ■ enable students to gain knowledge of the history of the English language in its literary and social contexts Intended learning outcomes: By the end of this course students will be able to: • identify grammatical systems and structures of English • discuss the construction of linguistic meaning • analyse the main characteristics of the historical stages and development of English • recognize, explain and apply key terms and concepts for analysing linguistic texts particularly those which are used to persuade and construct points of view