spring 2024
ENG-3070 Varieties of English - 10 ECTS

Type of course

This course is mandatory for students in the MA programme in English Acquisition and Multilingualism and elective for students in the MA programme in teacher education year 8-13 (lektorutdanning trinn 8-13, studieretning engelsk, jf. progresjonskrav for år 4) and students in the MA programme in Theoretical Linguistics.

This course may be taken as a single course by students who qualify for admission to the MA programme in English Acquisition and Multilingualism.


Admission requirements

A bachelor's degree (180 ECTS), or equivalent qualification, in English language, or a degree combining English language and literature (minimum 80 ECTS in English). Applicants who hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent issued in Europe, Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand: An average grade equivalent to C or better is required. Applicants who hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent issued in countries other than the above mentioned region/countries: An average grade equivalent to B or better is required.

Application code: 9371 - Enkeltemner på masternivå (Nordic applicants).


Course content

Why is it possible to distinguish English native speakers from Sydney and Southampton as soon as they open their mouths? And why is the sentence "She didn't say why had they come" grammatical in Irish English, Indian English and many other contact varieties? These and many other questions about the different varieties of English spoken around the world will be discussed in this course. The course will survey a range of varieties of English and explore how they differ from each other. In addition, students will focus on a particular variety of English for their first presentation. The course will explore structural differences, considering the sounds of English, lexical differences, and variation in morphology and syntax. Students will build on their existing knowledge of the structure of English and further develop their analytical skills in these areas. The course will also provide some theoretical background on language variation, language contact and language change, with a focus on the development and diversification of English. It will also discuss the linguistic and cultural/historical factors that have determined the emergence of new Englishes and the use of English as a Lingua Franca in the world.

Objectives of the course

The students have the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The student has:

  • general knowledge of varieties of English across the world
  • more specific knowledge of one or more varieties of English, in terms of linguistic structure
  • general knowledge about the spread and diversification of English
  • general knowledge of theoretical approaches to variation, language contact and language change.

Skills

The student is:

  • able to compare and contrast varieties of English with reference to different aspects of linguistic structure
  • able to discuss theoretical and methodological issues related to language variation, language contact and language change, both orally and in writing.

Language of instruction and examination

English.

Teaching methods

Lectures, seminars, hands-on work with language data. The course is taught 2 hours per week for 13 weeks.

Quality assurance: All courses undergo a halfway evaluation once in a 2-year period at the master´s level. The Programme Board determines which programme options will be evaluated per year, and which courses will be evaluated by the students and the teacher per year.


Information to incoming exchange students

This course is open for exchange students who fulfill the admission requirements (please see the "Admission requirements" section). The course should be taken as a part of a course package.

Schedule

Examination

Examination: Date: Grade scale:
Assignment 28.05.2024 14:00 (Hand in) A–E, fail F

Coursework requirements:

To take an examination, the student must have passed the following coursework requirements:

Paper and presentation Approved – not approved
Long Presentation Approved – not approved
UiT Exams homepage

More info about the coursework requirements

One short paper and one short presentation in the first half of the semester and a longer presentation towards the end of the semester. The longer presentation should be connected to the term paper.

More info about the assignment

Assessment method: Term paper (4000-5000 words).

Re-sit examination

A resit exam is arranged for students who have not passed the last ordinary exam in this course. In the event of a re-sit examination, the student may submit a revised version of his/her term paper within a given deadline.
  • About the course
  • Campus: Tromsø |
  • ECTS: 10
  • Course code: ENG-3070