The Department of Applied Languages Studies offers a three year major course in English Language Studies. The course teaches students how the English language is structured in terms of its sounds, words and sentences and also how language interacts with society. This interaction, in turn, influences the way we think, live and understand each other. Where there are humans there is language and by exploring the way that language works in various texts such as those found on the web, in official documents or in English literature the students gain insights into the human condition.
LES 111 English Language Studies - 12 credits
PURPOSE
This module will equip students with a knowledge of basic English grammar.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
The student will be able to
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identify finite and non-finite verbs
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use tenses correctly
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name and explain points of grammar such as the use of possessives, contractions, hyphens, etc
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apply linguistic norms when they write texts
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use a dictionary optimally
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quote correctly
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analyse and use different styles and tones
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write a short academic essay
CORE CONTENT
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The grammar of English
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The linguistic norms when writing a text
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Dictionary terminology and how to use a dictionary
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Analyse and write different types of texts (style, register and tone)
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Quote correctly and avoid plagiarism
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Analyse various texts in a short academic essay
ASSESSMENT
This module will be assessed by continuous assessment consisting of several assignments, short class tasks and at least two major tests.
MODERATION
Internal moderation
PRE-REQUISITES FOR THIS MODULE
None
CO-REQUISITES FOR THIS MODULE
None
LES112 English Language Studies - 12 credits
PURPOSE
This module will equip students with a knowledge of the history English and World Englishes and also an understanding of the morphology and basic syntax of the language.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
The student will be able to
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recognize and identify Old, Middle and Modern English
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explain the spread of international varieties of English
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analyse critically texts (particularly poetry) that reflect these periods and varieties
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explain how words are built
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explain simple syntactic categories
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draw a simple phrase structure tree
CORE CONTENT
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The history of English
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The major international varieties of English
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Analysis of texts from different periods of English and from different varieties of English
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Content and functional words
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Morphemes: bound and free
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Derivation, compounding and inflecting
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Syntactic categories
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Phrase structure trees and rules
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Verb phrases, noun phrases and prepositional phrases
ASSESSMENT
This module will be assessed by continuous assessment consisting of several assignments, short class tasks and at least two major tests.
MODERATION
Internal moderation
PRE-REQUISITES FOR THIS MODULE
None
CO-REQUISITES FOR THIS MODULE
None
LES211 English Language Studies - 20 credits
PURPOSE
This module will equip students with an understanding of language use and communication strategies.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
The student will be able to
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analyse various kinds of discourse
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discuss critically the Message Model of communication
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analyse communication by using the Inferential Model
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discuss the social and pragmatic consequences of linguistic choice such as the use of language to gain power and control situations or to use or flout politeness strategies
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explain various aspects of how conversations are organised
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use theory and implement it in practice to collect, transcribe, categorise and interpret conversational and other discourses
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explain how different language modes, written, spoken and visual texts are used for different communicative purposes, which are reflected in the discourse itself
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indicate how certain linguistic and lexical devices serve a cohesive purpose in ensuring discourse coherence and power.
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distinguish various kinds of discourse in terms of their distinctive, recurring patterns (academic against digital discourse)
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show how the arrangement of information within a text can ensure or impede clarity of understanding, and/ or can be used for purposes of positioning
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identify text types (genres) on the basis of their overall generic structure, as well as their grammatical features (notices, advertisements, visuals and descriptions)
CORE CONTENT
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Strategies of literal and non-literal communication
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Strategies for indirect communication
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Openings, closings and turn-taking in conversations
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Cohesive devices such as semantic and pragmatic links
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Interpretation of various kinds of discourse to reveal how linguistic patterns encode socially and ideologically motivated views of the world
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Individual identity and speech communities
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The social meaning of language use
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Relationship between language and power
ASSESSMENT
This module will be assessed by continuous assessment consisting of assignments, class tasks and at least two major tests.
MODERATION
Internal moderation
PRE-REQUISITES FOR THIS MODULE
LES111 and LES112
CO-REQUISITES FOR THIS MODULE
None
LES212 English Language Studies - 20 credits
PURPOSE
This module will equip students with an ability to analyse literary texts and also to describe the basics of the phonetic and syntactic structure of English.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
The student will be able to
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critically discuss literary texts (especially short stories)
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discuss how sounds are produced by the vocal cords
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transcribe standard South African English in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA)
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analyse simple English sentences using generative grammar and simple phrase structure rules
CORE CONTENT
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Analysis of literary texts
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The nature of sound
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Sounds that occur in various kinds of English
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Generative grammar
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Simple phrase structure rules
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Grammatical functions (e.g. subject, object, embedded sentences)
ASSESSMENT
This module will be assessed by continuous assessment.
MODERATION
Internal moderation
PRE-REQUISITES FOR THIS MODULE
LES111 and LES112
CO-REQUISITES FOR THIS MODULE
None
LES311 English Language Studies - 30 credits
PURPOSE
This module will equip students with an ability to explain and discuss various sociolinguistic concepts such as language change and they will master the theory of discourse analysis and apply it to selected written texts.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
The student will be able to
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critically discuss changes found in English over time
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identify and analyse variations based on age, class and ethnicity
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intelligently consider language attitudes and especially think about Black South African English (BSAE) and its relevance
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discuss how language is used and explore how language users interpret other what other speakers intend to convey in conversation
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uncover theoretical and practical questions concerning how conversational data should be collected, transcribed, categorised, analysed and interpreted so as to understand how discourse is used
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discuss critically CDA (Critical Discourse Analysis) methodology, specific theoretical constructs, and published CDA analyses used in ethnographic studies
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engage in collaborative and recursive analyses of texts to deepen the students’ own specific areas of interest
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develop a deeper understanding of how CDA can be used to construct systematic, insightful and powerful interpretations of dominant discourses in social research
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gain a thorough understanding of linguistic features of text, particularly of syntactical components (subject, verb, object patterns; mood; subordination; modality)
CORE CONTENT
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Analysis of various texts reflecting the history of English and how it has changed
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South African English and BSAE
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World Englishes
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Collection and analysis of conversational data
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Language, ideology and power
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Critical language awareness
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Application of Critical Discourse Analysis to selected written texts
ASSESSMENT
This module will be assessed by continuous assessment (40%) and examination (60%).
MODERATION
External moderation
PRE-REQUISITES FOR THIS MODULE
LES211 and LES212
CO-REQUISITES FOR THIS MODULE
None
LES312 English Language Studies - 30 credits
PURPOSE
This module will equip students with an ability to analyse literary texts in various genres such as drama and the novel as well as deepen their understanding of linguistics by studying and applying speech act theory, Grice’s co-operatives and systemic functional grammar.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
The student will be able to:
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critically discuss literary texts (especially the genres of drama and the novel) including both international and SA texts
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use Systemic Functional Grammar for linguistic analysis
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identify and analyse three aspects of speech act theory, namely, locutionary, illocutionary and perlocutionary acts
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generate direct and indirect speech acts
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apply Austin’s Speech Act theory by considering the performative/constative distinction to various texts
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analyse a conversation transcription and identify different ways that each consumer of interpreting services signals turn exchanges
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apply the theory of Grice’s co-operative principles in practice
CORE CONTENT
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Analysis of literary texts
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Identify and analyse three aspects of speech act theory, namely, locutionary, illocutionary and perlocutionary acts
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Generate direct and indirect speech acts
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Apply Austin’s Speech Act apply theory
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Analyse a conversation transcription and identify ways that each consumer of interpreting services signals turn exchanges
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Apply the theory of Grice’s co-operative principle in practice
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Use Systemic Functional Grammar framework for linguistic analysis
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Analyse and critically discuss language, ideology and power
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Apply critical language analysis to various written, spoken and visual texts
ASSESSMENT
This module will be assessed by continuous assessment (40%) and examination (60%).
MODERATION
External moderation
PRE-REQUISITES FOR THIS MODULE
LES211 and LES212
CO-REQUISITES FOR THIS MODULE
None