| Unit name | Language and Communication Studies |
|---|---|
| Unit code | LANG00017 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | QCA-3 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Mr. Lockett |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
Students require a proficiency of at least 6.0 in IELTS (min. 5.5 in writing and 5.0 in other components). |
| Co-requisites |
None. |
| School/department | Centre for Academic Language and Development |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
This unit provides an introduction to key areas of language and communication combined with some key related frameworks of analysis. Topics range from language in text and in context, to communication in art, film, and other media. Communication is viewed broadly, including the more concrete mechanics of linguistic and visual communication as well as more abstract approaches to meaning. This implicates areas such as rhetoric, discourse analysis, semiotic theory, and related concepts of narrative and myth. These are examined within a variety of domains, such as gender, ethnicity, and politics, across a range of mediated contexts. The overall aim is to develop foundation analytical and critical skills related to study of the arts and humanities through a focus on expression, signification and representation.
At the end of this module students should be able to:
ILO2: Express an understanding of the role of language and other signifying systems in the construction of meanings, social relationships and identities;
ILO3: Analyse discourse at text level and go beyond this to critically unpack underlying assumptions and ideological positions
ILO4: Identify basic aspects of textual and visual communication and understand their constitution as generic categories and cultural products.
There will be two 2-hour sessions per week for one teaching block. The sessions are in the form of a seminar, which will consist of a series of mini-lectures interspersed with discussion of the content of the mini-lectures and the reading or other set material for that week. Students will be taught using a communicative approach and will be in groups no larger than 16 to allow for such discussion. Students will be expected to prepare and follow up weekly sessions using the set materials as well as materials on Blackboard as well as review for assignments and exams.
In addition to the assessment of learning (summative assessment), there is regular assessment for learning (formative assessment) throughout the course.
Assessment for Learning:
All coursework, including summative written work, follows a draft / feedback / redraft process process scheduled into the scheme of work. Students receive peer- and tutor-led formative feedback on the initial drafts and tutor-led feedback on final drafts.
Small group presentations: 10-15 minutes; peer-and tutor-led formative feedback.
Assessment of Learning:
Written Assignment: 1500 words (40%) ILOs 1, 2, 3, and 4
Examination: 2 hours; SAQ (25%) ILOs 1, 2, 3 and 4
Individual Presentation (based on student coursework): 15 minutes incl. tutor-led questions (25%) ILOs 1, 2, 3 and 4
Marsen, S. (2006). Communication Studies. London: Palgrave Macmillan.
