Dr Reza Arab
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Languages & Cultures School
This course introduces the diversity of English across time and space, and examines the development and status of its various varieties globally. We will explore how English became a global language in science, politics, commerce, and technology, and how it adapts to meet the evolving needs of speakers in both face-to-face and digital communication. Emphasis will also be placed on its relationship with power, culture, and identity, and why proficiency in English as an International Language (EIL) is essential for professional success in today’s globalised world.
This course engages in critical discussions on sensitive topics, including colonisation processes, pervasive linguistic power dynamics, the marginalisation of languages and language varieties, and the emergence of pidgins. These discussions are essential to understanding the historical and global development of the English language, and its sociopolitical and geopolitical impact.
[This courseﾠ is normally offered in Semester One each year.ﾠ However, adjustments may occur to the Lecture Program and Textbook list from one semester to the next.]ﾠ
Course requirements
Assumed background
SLAT2003 does not require any prior knowledge or background. A genuine interest and curiosity about the history of the English language, its current status, and its future development will be sufficient. Your participation in course discussions is highly encouraged and warmly welcomed.
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
LING2110, LING6110
Course staff
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
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 explores the history of English across the centuries - from its Anglo-Saxon origins to the modern tongue; then looks globally at some of the many different varieties of English that are now in use around the world, including creoles. We are interested in particular in social, cultural and political factors which influenced the development of the language and how language changes to adapt to the needs and desires of its speakers.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Recognise and identify the global variety and diversity of the English language.
LO2.
Understand the relationship between English as an international language, power, and identity.
LO3.
Understand the impact of English as an International Language (EIL) on interpersonal and professional communication, both now and in the future.
LO4.
Be familiar with the local and global industry applications of EIL.
LO5.
Articulate and communicate the role of English in global communication while recognizing and valuing the diversity of Englishes across geographies.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiz |
Online Tasks
|
25% (5% per task) |
Week 4 - 17/03/2025 - 18/03/2025 Week 5 - 24/03/2025 - 25/03/2025 Week 6 - 31/03/2025 - 1/04/2025 Week 7 - 7/04/2025 - 8/04/2025 Week 8 - 14/04/2025 - 15/04/2025 |
| Examination |
In-class Written Exam
|
40% |
9/05/2025
Week 10 |
| Presentation |
Group Video Presentation
|
35% |
26/05/2025 5:00 pm
To be submitted on Monday of Week 13. |
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
Online Tasks
- Hurdle
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 25% (5% per task)
- Due date
Week 4 - 17/03/2025 - 18/03/2025
Week 5 - 24/03/2025 - 25/03/2025
Week 6 - 31/03/2025 - 1/04/2025
Week 7 - 7/04/2025 - 8/04/2025
Week 8 - 14/04/2025 - 15/04/2025
Task description
Each week, starting in WEEK 4, until WEEK 8 students will undertake an on-line task based on the content covered in previous week's materials. Each task is worth 5%.
These online tasks will be available for completion via our course's Blackboard site, from 9am Monday to 5pm Tuesday from Week 4 (i.e., based on the content delivered in the previous Week). The task MUST be attempted during this time.
Each task will take 30 - 60 minutes of work time to complete.
Questions will be randomised so that each student will receive a slightly different version of the task. Collaboration is not permitted.
STATEMENT ON AI & MT
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Hurdle requirements
All assessment items must be attempted in order to potentially qualify for a grade of 4 or higher.Submission guidelines
Online tasks will be available for submission 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.
7 calendar is the maximum allowable given that correct answers provided and discussed in the following class, therefore the consolidation of this knowledge is required to continue with the sequence of assessment tasks.
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.
In-class Written Exam
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
9/05/2025
Week 10
Task description
This is an IN-CLASS, PAPER BASED assessment held during class in Week 10.
Duration: 100 minutes (10 minutes for planning + 90 minutes for assessment).
Content covered: Course content studied in from Week 1 to Week 9.
Question format:
- multiple choice questions;
- open-ended questions regarding course content and readings.
Permitted materials: Please see below: One A4 sheet of handwritten or typed notes, double sided is permitted.
It is expected that the process of preparing this A4 sheet of notes will help students synthesise key content covered.
STATEMENT ON AI & MT
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
All assessment items must be attempted in order to potentially qualify for a grade of 4 or higher.Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - specified written materials permitted |
| Materials | One A4 sheet of handwritten or typed notes, double sided, is permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
This exam will be completed in-person during class time.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Group Video Presentation
- Hurdle
- Team or group-based
- Online
- Mode
- Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 35%
- Due date
26/05/2025 5:00 pm
To be submitted on Monday of Week 13.
Task description
Task description:
Students must form groups of 3-4. Students can ask the lecturer to put them in a group if unable to join one. The deadline to form groups is Friday in Week 11.
As a group, identify a variety of English. This can be EIL, ‘inner circle’, ‘outer circle’, or expanding circle variety.
Then, together, students must record 8–10-minute video and submit it individually via Blackboard.
------
The format of the video should not be as "individual" presentations but rather, all members conducting a group discussion about the chosen topic. Build on your group members' contribution and work together to achieve all following components:
a) Discuss the main linguistic features of this variety.
b) Describe how this variety developed.
c) Discuss social, cultural and political forces that shaped this variety.
d) Describe the common language attitudes towards this variety.
e) Critically evaluate the labels used to describe this variety.
f) You may compare this variety with another variety that is more familiar to you (e.g. Australian English).
g) Based on what you have found about this variety, what recommendation you would make for the industry application (in teaching and testing, language policy, global communication and diplomacy, health communication, indigenous language preservation, etc.)
h) If this variety was not included in this course in any of the lectures or readings, make a case as to why this variety should be included next year.
----
Students are marked as a group, however individual contributions to the discussion will be considered based on the following criteria:
- Description of the variety.
- Collaboration in the group discussion.
- Address the task components
- Make practical recommendations (components g & h)
---------------------
STATEMENT ON AI & MT
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.
Hurdle requirements
All assessment items must be attempted in order to potentially qualify for a grade of 4 or higher.Submission guidelines
Group video must be submitted via Blackboard.
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.
A student can request an extension on behalf of the group for a group assessment item, provided that at least 50% of group members also agree to the request for an extension. Please see: https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/applying-assessment-extension?p=2#2
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. Course grade description: The student has failed to hand in the required assessable work by the specified date. |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student's work is uneven and of limited merit, showing an inability to master the concepts and material of the course. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: The student has shown some understanding of the concepts and material covered in the course, but has not demonstrated a coherent, soundly based comprehension of English language through time and space, its variety and its utility for a globalised world. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student's work shows a basic level of understanding of English language, its journey in time and places and EIL; They have shown a minimum but passable ability to communicate and argue on course topic; and some ability to link ideas to practice. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student shows a richer, deeper and more articulated level of understanding than for a result of 4, with better interdisciplinary links and a more critical approach to the literature and its interpretation about English language, its journey in time and places and EIL. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student shows a firm understanding of the key concepts of the course; has shown some originality in developing the themes of the course and exploring them further; and in relating the literature to practice. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student shows originality and initiative in approaching the themes of the course, together with an advanced level of understanding and ability to synthesise diverse material, to link the literature to ideas and practice, and to engage in discourse about the course at an advanced level. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard 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
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Other course materials
If we've listed something under further requirement, you'll need to provide your own.
Required
| Item | Description | Further Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Course Resource | Svartvik, Jan & Leech, Geoffrey. 2016. English: One Tongue, Many Voices. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan. |
Recommended
| Item | Description | Further Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Recommended Resource | Cecil L. Nelson, Zoya G. Proshina, & Daniel R. Davis. 2020. The Handbook of World Englishes. Wiley Blackwell. |
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 |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 13 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial Week 1-13 tutorial |
Additional learning activity information
Each week is dedicated to a topic examining varieties and diversities of English across history and geographies as well as the application of this knowledge to real life scenarios.
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 - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.