English (level 31-60): Language Structure and Language Variation

The course deals with the structure and varieties of English. It develops the student's awareness of the importance of English in today's society, and shows how the English language has developed from a historical perspective, in connection with how colonialism and political factors have influenced and quickened changes in the language and its geographical spread. The course also treats sociolinguistic perspectives of linguistic varieties, focusing on social aspects such as gender, class, age, ethnicity, register and other social contexts. By using a selection of digital tools, the student's oral proficiency is practised in discussions and oral presentations. The course is given entirely online, and has an asynchronous set-up, with no scheduled meetings, neither on campus nor online. It can be combined with other courses at the basic, intermediate and advanced level in English at University West, for a Bachelor's degree or as part of a teacher's qualification or similar.