The students will acquire a range of theoretical insights into the concept of identity and its relation to language. Embracing a post-structuralist and social constructivist view, the students will familiarise with an anti-essentialist concept of identity/ies (both claimed and ascribed) as fluid, in motion, transformation, disruption and re-construction. Furthermore, the students will be encouraged to think of identities as (a) intersectional/complex and (b) multiple/hybrid. After establishing key concepts of identity-research, the students will examine key topics in the study of language and identity, capitalising on first-hand research carried out within the department. The students will engage with research spanning from the micro-level (e.g. conversational interaction) to the macro-level (e.g. language policy and planning in education) and across local, national, international/global and digital perspectives, while confronting a variety of real-world problems in which language p lays a central role. The students will acquire the ability to think of identity in a critical way, by interpreting existing research in the context of current scholarship. Furthermore, they will learn how to design and carry out empirical research in language identity by applying and adapting a variety of analytical frameworks. This module will equip students with valuable tools both for academic research and the workplace, where issues of social justice in relation to identity categories (e.g. ethnicity, race, sexuality/gender, disability, religion among others) have been taking central stage over the last years.

(LO1) The students will demonstrate knowledge of the concept of identity and related concepts (e.g. belonging, identification) from a variety of scholarly perspective/fields (sociology, psychology, politics, education etc)

(LO2) The students will demonstrate knowledge of the concept of identity and related concepts specifically in relationship to language

(LO3) The students will be able to apply concepts elaborated at the intersection of language and identity to the analysis of a set of known and novel texts

(LO4) The students will show critical understanding the role of power in the relationship between language and identity/ies

(LO5) The students will demonstrate critical awareness of key areas of research within language and identity

(LO6) The students will be able to evaluate in depth the methodologies and techniques used in the study of language and identity, included the ability to point out their strength and weaknesses

(LO7) The students will display an awareness of ethical issues in researching language and identity

(S1) The students will demonstrate the ability to effectively design and develop an independent and original piece of research on issues of language and identity

(S2) The students demonstrate the ability to identify and evaluate arguments presented in the scholarly literature

(S3) The students will display the ability to identify and critique arguments in non-scholarly discourses (the press, social media etc)

(S4) The students will be able to construct a valid argument grounded in the literature based on suitable data

(S5) The students will be able to apply pre-existing analytical framework to a new data-set, systematically and creatively, including the modification of existing frameworks if shortcomings are identified

(S6) The students will be able to present one’s ideas clearly and confidently in both spoken and written language

This module will develop topics such as:

The concept of identity at the crossroads of linguistics, psychology and sociology
Identity and language ideology
Language and race: racialization, marginalization, and acts of racism
Language, identity and migrant narratives
Non-standard language in literature and/or dialect writing
Identity, gender and sexuality

>> Case studies will be taken from varieties of British English, World Englishes and other languages (no prior knowledge needed). The syllabus will vary reflecting (a) contemporary issues and (b) first-hand research carried out by members of staff.
>> This content will be delivered to students through fact-to-face teaching. Teaching materials will also be made available on the virtual learning environment (Canvas). Key readings will be made available via the library (Reading Lists); however students are expected to broaden their reading through independent research via the Libra ry website. Students will be expected to complete independent reading in preparation for seminars. Marking criteria will also be made available to students.

Teaching method: face-to-face teaching in small groups
Description: interactive workshops and seminars