Module: Language, Culture and Society

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Language, Culture and Society
Module Code	SOC1016 (ITS: SOC5B)
Faculty	DCU Institute of Education	School	Human Development
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	15

Description

This advanced level module provides a critical overview of the relationship between language, culture and society. How and what people speak can have a profound influence upon how they are viewed in the world. The module begins by outlining some of the key perspectives on language and its diversity in society before discussing key research concerning the topic. How culture is produced and re-produced in everyday life is examined, as well as some of the key dimensions that shape the contemporary world such as the nation-state, media, education system and economy.

Learning Outcomes

1. 1D647E93-2404-0001-7766-C6FCB002116E
2. Evaluate the different theoretical sociological perspectives on language, culture and society
5. 1
6. 1D647E93-26F2-0001-578E-14F01FE02EA0
7. Critique the key sociological theories and concepts of power and ideology to the sociological constructs of language, culture and society
10. 2
11. 1D647E93-2B16-0001-1BD4-C9E0E0981044
12. Evaluate the role and meaning of popular culture in language and society
15. 3
16. 1D647E93-2DE5-0001-48E3-16C31E00B9F0
17. Appraise the way in which culture is produced and re-produced through language
20. 4
21. 1D647E93-3296-0001-F2B1-1FC084201372
22. Explain how culture is produced and re-produced in everyday life
25. 5
26. 1D647E93-3686-0001-544F-16A04CA01074
27. Assess language culture and society using the key sociological theories and concepts detailed above
30. 6

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lectures/Seminars	18	No Description
Online activity	60	No Description
Independent Study	297	No Description
Total Workload: 375

Section Breakdown
CRN	11971	Part of Term	Semester 1 & 2
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Lorraine Delaney	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Essay	Essay	25%	n/a
Assignment	Online discussion and Essay	25%	n/a
Presentation	Online presentation	20%	n/a
Project	Case study report and reflective eportfolio	30%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	l,
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Storey, J. (ed.): 2015, Cultural Theory and Popular Culture: A Reader, 7th, Prentice Hall, New York,
Share, P., Corcoran, M.P., & Conway, B: 2012, A Sociology of Ireland, Fourth, Gill & Macmillan., Dublin,
Chen, K.H. and Morley, D. (eds): 2006, Stuart Hall: Critical Dialogues in Cultural Studies, Routledge,
Fiske, J.: 2010, Understanding Popular Culture, 2nd, Routledge,
Fiske, J.: 2011, Reading the Popular, Routledge,
McGarry, J. and O'Leary, B.: 1995, Explaining Northern Ireland: Broken Images, Wiley-Blackwell,
Shepherd, L. J., Hamilton, C. (Ed): 2016, Understanding Popular Culture and World Politics in the Digital Age, Routledge,
O'Sullivan, S. (ed): 2007, Contemporary Ireland: A Sociological Map, UCD Press, Dublin,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None