LG220-5-SP-CO:
Language and Gender
2023/24
Language and Linguistics
Colchester Campus
Spring
Undergraduate: Level 5
Current
Monday 15 January 2024
Friday 22 March 2024
15
09 October 2023
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
This module approaches the study of language and gender from a number of different angles. Focusing on linguistic research investigating gender differentiated patterns of language, the representation of gender in language, and the construction of gender identity through language. In particular, we review and critically discuss the findings of research within the quantitative sociolinguistic paradigm, findings from research that focuses on gender differentiation at the level of discourse/conversation and findings from research on language and power.
Aims and Objectives
• To introduce the students to some of the major issues in the study of language and gender.
• To review the empirical evidence, and to learn how to interpret data and discern patterns.
• To highlight problems in methodologies and analyses, and how these can influence, or have influenced, our view of the issue.
• To learn to use empirical evidence to construct informed arguments.
By the end of this module you will be able to:
1) critically evaluate different approaches to investigating gendered language use
2) use a range of linguistic tools and techniques in order to investigate how gender identity can be constructed through language use
3) apply an enhanced understanding of sociolinguistic perspectives and principles on language use, change and variation, including language attitudes and ideologies, to studies in language and gender
No additional information available.
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Romaine, S. (2003a) ‘Variation in Language and Gender’, in J. Holmes and M. Meyerhoff (eds)
The Handbook of Language and Gender. Wiley, pp. 98–118. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470756942.ch4.
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Storage, D.
et al. (2016) ‘The Frequency of “Brilliant” and ”Genius” in Teaching Evaluations Predicts the Representation of Women and African Americans across Fields’,
PLOS ONE, 11(3). Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0150194.
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Collister, L.B. (2016) ‘“At least I”m not Chinese, gay, or female”: Marginalized voices in World of Warcraft’, in L. Squires (ed.)
English in Computer-Mediated Communication. De Gruyter, pp. 351–376. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110490817-016.
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Zimman, L. (2018) ‘Transgender Language, Transgender Moment: Toward a Trans Linguistics’, in K. Hall and R. Barrett (eds)
The Oxford Handbook of Language and Sexuality. Oxford University Press. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190212926.013.45.
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Konnelly, L. (2022) ‘Transmedicalism and “trans enough”’,
Gender and Language, 16(1). Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1558/genl.20230.
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Zimman, L. and Hayworth, W. (2020) ‘How we got here: Short-scale change in identity labels for trans, cis, and non-binary people in the 2000s’,
Proceedings of the Linguistic Society of America, 5(1). Available at:
https://doi.org/10.3765/plsa.v5i1.4728.
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Lawson, R. (2013) ‘The construction of “tough” masculinity: Negotiation, alignment and rejection’,
Gender and Language, 7(3), pp. 369–395. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1558/genl.v7i3.369.
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Slobe, T. (2018) ‘Style, stance, and social meaning in mock white girl’,
Language in Society, 47(4), pp. 541–567. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1017/S004740451800060X.
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Ilbury, C. (2020) ‘“Sassy Queens”: Stylistic orthographic variation in Twitter and the enregisterment of AAVE’,
Journal of Sociolinguistics, 24(2), pp. 245–264. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1111/josl.12366.
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Calder, J. (2019) ‘The fierceness of fronted /s/: Linguistic rhematization through visual transformation’,
Language in Society, 48(1), pp. 31–64. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1017/S004740451800115X.
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Levon, E. and Holmes-Elliot, S. (2013) ‘East End Boys and West End Girls: /s/-Fronting in Southeast England’,
University of Pennsylvania Working Papers in Linguistics, 19(2). Available at:
https://repository.upenn.edu/pwpl/vol19/iss2/13/.
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Milroy, L. and Llamas, C. (2013) ‘Social Networks’, in J.K. Chambers and N. Schilling (eds)
The Handbook of Language Variation and Change. Wiley, pp. 407–427. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118335598.ch19.
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Pyle, K. (2018) ‘Naming and Claiming’,
TSQ: Transgender Studies Quarterly, 5(4), pp. 574–588. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1215/23289252-7090045.
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's
reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Assignment 1 |
|
30% |
| Coursework |
Assignment 2 |
|
70% |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Marisa Brook, email: marisa.brook@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Marisa Brook
marisa.brook@essex.ac.uk, Room 4.207, Number 2286
No
Yes
Yes
Dr Sam Christian D'Elia
Available via Moodle
Of 20 hours, 20 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.
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