MA Intercultural Communication

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Language and identity in multicultural spaces

Course unit fact file
Unit code ICOM60031
Credit rating 15
Unit level FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Available as a free choice unit? Yes

Overview

The course explores the concept of multilingualism and multiculturalism in a micro and macro context through investigations of language use in diasporic communities. Hence, language transmission and maintenance of Heritage Languages will be investigated within families as well as within the larger ethno-linguistic community, and, further, within society. The relationship individuals have with their Heritage Language will also be examined. Different approaches to studies related to language and identity will be discussed, with a particular focus on narrative studies. 

Aims

  • Provide students with the opportunity to acquire a more critical understanding of the concepts of identity, language, community, multiculturalism and (super)diversity. 
  • Develop understanding of theoretical approaches to qualitative research in diasporic communities, with a particular focus on narrative enquiry.  
  • Give students practical opportunities to develop knowledge of the methods of scholarly research in a humanities discipline and the resources necessary for such research, through reading, the use of web resources as a research tool, seminar discussion, presentations and the writing of essays. 
  • Encourage students to gain practical experience of intercultural scenarios and of Manchester as a multicultural space. 

 

Knowledge and understanding

Have acquired a more critical understanding of language, identity and culture.

Intellectual skills

Have developed an understanding of modern approaches to the study of language transmission and maintenance in micro and macro contexts. 

Practical skills

Have mastered the essential skills necessary to pursue independent research in sociolinguistic areas. These include analysis, argument, independent thinking and effective oral and written self-expression.

Transferable skills and personal qualities

Have demonstrated, through seminar discussion, presentation and the writing of an essay, their specialized knowledge of a chosen field, and their ability to analyse and evaluate material (including print and electronic resources) and to construct argument in an appropriately lucid, rigorous and scholarly manner. 

Employability skills

Other
Time management and prioritising; communication (oral and written); group work; data analysis; community liaison; research methods; presentation skills; develop skills in interrelating in multilingual/cultural contexts such as volunteering for on Language Day and feeding back on the experience; collecting data (photographs for Lingua Snapp) and uploading to website with commentary; self-reflection.

Assessment methods

Assessment task:

Group presentation (recorded) - 25%

Essay; a report/reflection on language use in a diasporic community - 75%

 

Resit assessment:

Essay

Feedback methods

Feedback method:

Written feedback on group presentation and on essay.

Oral feedback on class discusson.

Recommended reading

Theoretical readings:

Bakhtin, M. M., 1981. The Dialogic Imagination: Four Essays. M.Holquist, ed. Translated by Caryl Emerson and Michael Holquist. Austin and London: University of Texas Press.  

Blackledge, A. and Creese, A., 2010. Multilingualism: A critical perspective. London:Continuum. 

Blommaert, J., 2013b. Citizenship, Language and Superdiversity: Towards Complexity. Journal of Language, Identity and Education, 12, pp.193-196. 

Bourdieu, P. and Thompson, J.B., 1991. Language and symbolic power. Harvard: Harvard University Press. 

Creese, A. and Blackledge, A., 2010. Multiilingualism: A critical perspective. London: Continuum. 

Fishman, J.A., 1989. Language and ethnicity in minority sociolinguistic perspective. Bristol: Multilingual Matters. 

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Seminars 20
Independent study hours
Independent study 130

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Sheena Kalayil Unit coordinator

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