Ling. 5310
Sociolinguistics
Fall 2005


Professor: Laurel Smith Stvan
Classroom: 001 Trimble Hall, Mon./Wed. 7:00-8:20 p.m.
Office: 410 Hammond Hall
Office Hours: 5:30-6:30 Mon./Wed., and by appointment
Phone: (817) 272-5234
Email: stvan@uta.edu

Course Description

This course introduces you to the field of sociolinguistics--the study of the relationship between language and the social forms, structures, functions, and processes in which it is used. Although the course can stand alone, it is complementary to Ling. 5311 (Sociolinguistics of Society), which looks at large-scale societal organization and policy issues. In contrast, this course explores issues about the form and use of language that pertain to the smaller unite of social organization (e.g., individuals, gender groups, and neighborhoods) and more micro-levels of the language in use (e.g., phonemes, address forms, conversational units). The course is organized around themes that have been explored extensively in four of the genres of sociolinguistics research having different origins: Variation Analysis, Ethnography of Communication, Conversation Analysis, and Interactional Sociolinguistics. We will consider the central questions that are of interest to these four approaches to research, their findings, underlying assumptions, data collection methods and analytical approaches, and some of their real-world applications. Themes that cross-cut these approaches that we will cover include the intersection of language with geographical origin, social class, social networks, ethnicity/culture, gender, age, and professional domains.

This class meets the sociolinguistic requirement for the TESOL Certificate, the MA in Linguistics or TESOL, and the Ph.D. in Linguistics. There is no prerequisite for the course.

Course Objectives

This graduate-level course is intended to help you achieve three objectives:
Required Materials

There is no text book, instead we will be using a packet of readings that I will give you which you will need to copy during the first week of class. (Good rates are available at Bird's copies, 208 S. East Street); some of the readings are available for download from the library.

Recommended Materials

Supplementary books for additional background reading are on reserve at the UTA Central Library.

In addition, here is the link to the site (mentioned in class on Oct. 10) on German/American cross-cultural misunderstanding.

Schedule

The most current course schedule of readings and assignments is available here (Updated Dec. 7, 2005--adjusted final paper delivery option.)

Course Requirements

Grades will be determined as follows:



1. Active class participation 10%
2. Two 2-page summary and response papers (one assigned, one on an article of your choice) (#1) 15%
(#2) 20%
3. One midterm exam 25%
4. One 15--20 page written term project
(including your overview of the paper presented as an oral presentation--a component that is required but ungraded)		 30%

Course Policies

Regular attendance is expected in class, and your presence and thoughtful participation is included as part of the course grade. For each class, students will be expected to have completed both the readings for each lecture and any assigned problems to be discussed prior to class. Students assume responsibility for acquiring all notes, handouts, and announcements.

Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the day listed in the schedule, and no later. No late assignments will be accepted without PRIOR approval by the instructor.

University Policies

Americans With Disabilities Act. The University of Texas at Arlington is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation (Public Law 93112, The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended). With the passage of new federal legislation entitled the "Americans With Disabilities Act" (ADA), pursuant to section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act, there is renewed focus on providing this population with the same opportunities enjoyed by all citizens.

All members of the UTA faculty are required by law to provide "reasonable accommodation" to students with disabilities, so as not to discriminate on the basis of that disability. As a student, your responsibility rests with informing the instructor at the beginning of the semester (you must inform me in writing (e-mail is fine) no later than Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2005) and in providing authorized documentation through designated administrative channels; for more information, contact UTA's Office of Students with Disabilities (located in the Lower Level of University Center).

According to Department of Linguistics and TESOL policy, "unofficial" or "informal" requests for accommodations (i.e., those not recorded by the Office of Students with Disabilities) cannot be honored.

Academic Dishonesty. At The University of Texas at Arlington, academic dishonesty is a completely unacceptable mode of conduct and will not be tolerated in any form. Students involved in academic dishonesty will be disciplined in accordance with University regulations and procedures. Discipline may include suspension or expulsion from UTA.

According the UT System Regents' Rules and Regulations, "Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit such acts" (Part One, Chapter VI, Section 3, Subsection 3.2, Subdivision 3.22).

While the Department of Linguistics and TESOL hopes to foster a sense of community in which students can enhance their educational experience by conferring with each other about the lectures, readings, and assignments, all work submitted must be the product of each student's own effort. Students are expected to know and honor the standards of academic integrity followed by American universities; ignorance of these standards is not an excuse for committing an act of academic dishonesty (including plagiarism). If you have questions, please speak with your instructor, your academic advisor, or the department chair.

Student Support Services Available: The University of Texas at Arlington supports a variety of student success programs to help you connect with the University and achieve academic success. These programs include learning assistance, developmental education, advising and mentoring, admission and transition, and federally funded programs. Students requiring assistance academically, personally, or socially should contact the Office of Student Success Programs at 817-272-6107 for information and referrals.

Enrolling in / Withdrawing from this Course: Students are responsible for making all decisions regarding their enrollment status in UTA courses. Should you decide to withdraw from this course, you must either (1) drop via the internet / SAM system or (2) complete an official "add/drop" and file it in the Linguistics and TESOL department office. Any student who stops attending class and/or fails to complete assigned work will not be "automatically" dropped; in such cases, unless you officially withdraw, you will receive a grade of F. (Note: Students enrolled in graduate courses may not "replace" a grade; all grades are permanent.)

A student dropping his/her last (only) course cannot withdraw as above. Rather, s/he must go in person to the UTA Registrar's Office (Davis Hall, First Floor) and complete a request to resign from the university.

Auditors: The Department of Linguistics and TESOL has a "no audit" policy. Students attending LING classes must be officially enrolled in those courses. Exception: Students who have already fulfilled a degree requirements and would like to sit in on a comparable course to prepare for their comprehensive / diagnostic examination may do so (with the permission of the professor).

Gifts to Faculty: The Department of Linguistics and TESOL has a strict "no gift" policy: instructors may not accept gifts of any kind from students, including meals, food, or flowers. All linguistics instructors have been instructed to refuse gifts. Students can avoid placing their instructors in an awkward position by not offering them any gifts. Students wishing to honor their professors may make a contribution to the LING-TESOL Scholarship Fund; visit the department office (Hammond Hall 403) and ask for a "Gift Giving Guide."


Go to Laurel Stvan's home page.

Last Updated: Dec. 7, 2005