Professor Felicity Meakins
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Languages & Cultures School
The study of descriptive and theoretical aspects of language and social context, the relationship between language and social organisation and language and social interaction.
This course is an introduction to Sociolinguistics, one of the major subfields of Linguistics. Sociolinguistics covers a large range of linguistic issues such as: how people use language to indicate their social role; how social organisation and culture may impact on linguistic structure; what is the range of variation within 'languages', and how does this relate to social organisation; how the use of language in social context affects language choice and change. Sociolinguistics also explores the effects of contact between languages, peoples' attitudes to language, and individual language use as the expression of one's identity.
[Subject to staffing requirements, this course is normally available in Semester 2 each year. Minor adjustments may be made to the Lecture Program from one semester to the next.]
Course requirements
Assumed background
This course does not have prerequisites although prior completion of at least one linguistics subject will have a positive impact on the students' ability to keep up with the course content. In particular, the introductory Linguistics courses LING1000 and/or LING1005 are highly recommended.
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
LING7135
Restrictions
Course offering may be cancelled unless a minimum of 20 students enrol.
Course staff
Course coordinator
Dr Janet Watts
Lecturer
Dr Janet Watts
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Students need to ensure they are able to attend weekly lectures and tutorials.ﾠ
Public holidays:
Alternative arrangements for affected students will be announced through the Blackboard site.
Class allocation:
In order to optimise the student experience, it may be necessary to reallocate students to a different class from their first choice. Before this happens, every effort will be made to enable students to voluntarily change into an alternative class that is suitable.
Please note: Teaching staff do not have access to the timetabling system to help with class allocation. Therefore, should you need help with your timetable and/or allocation of classes, please ensure you email hass.mytimetable@uq.edu.au from your UQ student email account with the following details:
- Full name,
- Student ID, and
- the Course Code
Additional information and support can be found here.
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to introduce students to range of important sociolinguistic questions, and the research methods which have been developed to study them. Students should also complete this course with an understanding of where sociolinguistics fits in with the broader field of linguistics, and also how it relates to other disciplines, especially sociology, anthropology, and psychology. Finally, this course offers students firsthand experience in undertaking and conducting a small-scale sociolinguistic case study.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation |
Presentation: article summary + class discussion
|
10% |
Presentations will be held during tutorial time, WEEKS 3 -12. Students must sign up for their presentation in WEEKS 1-2. |
| Quiz |
Online assignment x 3
|
30% (3 x 10%) |
WEEK 4 - 22/08/2025 5:00 pm WEEK 8 - 19/09/2025 5:00 pm WEEK 12 - 24/10/2025 5:00 pm
Due 5pm, Friday of designated weeks. |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project |
Sociolinguistics Project - PART A - Data collection
|
30% |
16/10/2025 5:00 pm
Thursday, WEEK 11 - 5pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Sociolinguistics Project - PART B - Project Report
|
30% |
14/11/2025 5:00 pm
5pm, Friday, EXAM WEEK 1 |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Presentation: article summary + class discussion
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
Presentations will be held during tutorial time, WEEKS 3 -12. Students must sign up for their presentation in WEEKS 1-2.
- Other conditions
- Secure.
Task description
In this assessment, you will deliver a 5-10 minute oral presentation during class time, critically summarising a journal article aligned to one of the sociolinguistics topics explored in the course. Your presentation will be followed by a 5-10 minute discussion with the rest of the class, who will be expected to have read the article and actively engage with questions and observations.
The list of readings will be made available in WEEK 1. You will select one and schedule your presentation.
In your presentation and summary, you will:
- explain the key concepts of the topic and article,
- explain the goal, data, theoretical and methodological frameworks and critically evaluate the article
- connect the article to the readings and other class materials on the topic
- practice independent research, critical reading, synthesis for summary writing, and structuring and delivering an engaging oral presentation.
Your presentation will engage the audience and trigger class discussion, e.g. with some questions for the group, which you will lead in the tutorial.
You will use some form of visual support for your presentation (e.g., PowerPoint, handouts). Your visual aid should help us follow your talk.
Student presentations and discussion will be the focus of each tutorial between WEEK 3 to 12.
All student participation is expected in this assessment activity. As a group member, you are all expected to have read each article prior to meaningfully participate in a group discussion.
AI and Machine Translation: This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
You must pass this item to pass the course.Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Presentations are scheduled according to the sequence of curriculum content overed in this course. Maximum extension length allows timely engagement with course content and for assessors to give timely feedback before subsequent tasks are due.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Online assignment x 3
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 30% (3 x 10%)
- Due date
WEEK 4 - 22/08/2025 5:00 pm
WEEK 8 - 19/09/2025 5:00 pm
WEEK 12 - 24/10/2025 5:00 pm
Due 5pm, Friday of designated weeks.
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
Task description
This assessment consists of 3 x 10% Online Assignments, made available via the course Blackboard site in WEEKS 4, 8, and 12.
Each Online Assignment will be made availble from 9am on Tuesday until 5pm on Friday of the relevant week.
You will have at least one hour and only one attempt to complete the assignment. The assignment will primarily consist of multiple choice and short answer questions. Specific details about and instructions for each assignment will be given in class.
AI and Machine Translation: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Complete and submit via Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Students have approx. 3 days (9am Wed - 5pm Friday) to submit each Online Assignment. Only 7 calendar day extensions are allowed as this is part of a series of tasks which students need to complete sequentially in order to demonstrate consolidation of content. Correct answers are released every second week, and general feedback is provided and discussed in class.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
The online assignment will close at 5pm on the Friday of the assigned weeks.
Sociolinguistics Project - PART A - Data collection
- Identity Verified
- Online
- Mode
- Oral, Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
16/10/2025 5:00 pm
Thursday, WEEK 11 - 5pm
Task description
This assessment involves sociolinguistic data collection and the development of a field report. In the task, you will conduct a small-scale case study on production and perception of sociolinguistic marker 'yeah-no', and other discourse markers, in English.
Steps in the data collection:
1. Find a speaker of English from your personal network (friends and friends-of-friends) and obtain their consent to participate in your project. Ensure that they are not participating in other recordings, and ensure they are not students of this course (present or past).
NOTE: Some students do not have ready access to a speaker of English in their network and time will be given in class for students to pair up and ‘share’ an interviewee.
2. Conduct an audio recorded, 15-20 minute interview with your participant to elicit their natural production of 'yeah-no' in conversational speech. In the case of interview pairs, one student will conduct an interview with the participant to elicit natural production of ‘s/he’s like’. Record the interview with an audio recording device (smart phone, microphone, laptop, etc.).
3. Administer a series of short questionnaires to your participant, investigating their implicit and explicit attitudes to the use of 'yeah-no'/s/he’s like as well as recording their background information.
Students are expected to submit a data that will be made up of the following elements:
- The data (audio recording of the interview and interview transcript)
- A copy of the participant's signed consent form
- Completed questionnaires
- A brief field report with description of the data and source, some interpretation and reflection on your experience using this sociolinguistic method. For this element - word limit 500 words, +/- 10%
Each component of the small-scale study (including the necessary forms and questionnaires) has been pre-designed by the course coordinator and will be made available to students via the course Blackboard site. Each step of the study design will be explained in detail in lectures and tutorials, as outlined in Section 4, 'Learning activities' of the ECP.
AI and Machine Translation: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
1) Audio file of the recorded interview must submitted via Blackboard submission link.
2) Transcript of the interview; 3) Participant consent form and questionnaires, and 4) 500-word field report must all be submitted via Turnitin link provided.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Only max 7-day extensions are allowed as the data submitted for this assessment task will be compiled into a larger dataset for all students to incorporate into PART B - Project Report, due during Examination period.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Sociolinguistics Project - PART B - Project Report
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
14/11/2025 5:00 pm
5pm, Friday, EXAM WEEK 1
Task description
Your Project Report will:
- introduce your case study of the target discourse marker in relation to relevant existing literature, including key data, theory and findings from that literature
- demonstrate an analysis of the data - your own and the shared data from other students
- relate your analysis and findings to literature about the discourse marker investigated.
Expected length of the report is approximately 2500 words (+/- 10%, NO LONGER THAN 3000 words!).
Proposed structure and style of your report will be discussed in lectures in Weeks 11 and 12. Additionally, linguistic variation analysis and writing will be the key focus in Week 13, in both the concluding lecture and tutorial.
AI and Machine Translation: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submission via Turnitin in PDF or Word format.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 24 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Required and recommended readings will be accessible online from the UQ library website 'reading list' facility and/or made available via the course Blackboard site.
Information aboutﾠall course readings and other learning resources will be given out in class in Week 1.ﾠ
Lecture/tutorial slides as well as any handouts, supplementary learning materials, weblinks, and assessment tasks will be posted onﾠBlackboard.
If you need any additional information and tools to assist and support you with your studies at UQ, please visit: http://www.languages-cultures.uq.edu.au/student-supportﾠ
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (28 Jul - 03 Aug) |
Lecture |
What is Sociolinguistics? Introductory lecture and overview of the course and course assessments. |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 1 Introductory tutorial, discussion of video. Attention to reading academic articles, summary writing and presentation. |
|
Week 2 (04 Aug - 10 Aug) |
Lecture |
Language variation and varieties Language, dialect, register. What is language variation? |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 2 Discussion of lecture content. Attention to reading academic articles, summary writing and presentation. |
|
Week 4 (18 Aug - 24 Aug) |
Lecture |
Multilingualism Multilingualism, language policy, growing up bilingual, bilingual education, diglossia, ethnolinguistic vitality. |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 3 Student presentations. Language varieties and multilingualism discussion/activities. |
|
Week 5 (25 Aug - 31 Aug) |
Lecture |
Research methodologies - theory and practice The Sociolinguistic Interview. Surveys and questionnaires. |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 4 Student presentations. Elicitation, interviews and field research. |
|
Week 6 (01 Sep - 07 Sep) |
Lecture |
Language contact 1 Pidgins and creoles. Code-mixing and -switching. |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 5 Student presentations. Language contact discussion. |
|
Week 7 (08 Sep - 14 Sep) |
Lecture |
Language contact 2 Language choice, shift, endangerment, loss, and maintenance. Research methodology: Review |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 6 Student presentations. Language contact discussion. |
|
Week 8 (15 Sep - 21 Sep) |
Lecture |
Variation and change Variables and variants, types of variation, language and identity. Data collection. |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 7 Student presentations. Language and culture topics discussion. |
|
Week 9 (22 Sep - 28 Sep) |
Lecture |
Variation and style Style-shifting, intraspeaker variability, audience design. Data analysis and interpretation. |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 8 Student presentations. Language and variation topics discussion. |
|
Week 10 (06 Oct - 12 Oct) |
Lecture |
Language attitudes Attitudes: Accommodation, language attitudes, perceptual dialectology. Research report structure. |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 9 Tutorial 9: Student presentations. Variation and style topics discussion. |
|
Week 11 (13 Oct - 19 Oct) |
Lecture |
Networks and Communities of Practice Speech communities, social networks, communities of practice. Academic integrity: Plagiarism and referencing. |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 10 Student presentations. Language attitudes topics discussion. |
|
Week 12 (20 Oct - 26 Oct) |
Lecture |
Language and Gender |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 11 Student presentations. Social networks topics discussion. Field Report discussion. |
|
Week 13 (27 Oct - 02 Nov) |
Lecture |
Sociolinguistics and language change Sociolinguistic variation, sex, and gender. Wrap up, review final tasks. |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 12 Course wrap-up discussion.Variation analysis. Final assessment support and consultation. |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.