Latest Module Specifications
Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026
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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. The final part of the module explores some of these sociological concepts through a case-study of Northern Irish society and by critically examining its structures of class, gender, and how the ‘Troubles’ have been represented by governments, the media and street artists. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Learning Outcomes 1. Evaluate the different theoretical sociological perspectives on language, culture and society 2. Critique the key sociological theories and concepts of power and ideology to the sociological constructs of language, culture and society 3. Evaluate the role and meaning of popular culture in language and society 4. Appraise the way in which culture is produced and re-produced through language 5. Explain how culture is produced and re-produced in everyday life 6. Assess language culture and society using the key sociological theories and concepts detailed above | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 |
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Indicative Content and Learning Activities
Part 1: Language and Ethnicity Unit 1: Language and Society – Theoretical Perspectives Unit 2: Language and Social Structure Unit 3: Language, Ethnicity and National Identity Unit 4: The Politics of Language Unit 5: Minority Languages – The Case of Irish Part 2: Popular culture Unit 6: An Introduction to the Study of Popular Culture Unit 7: Popular Culture and Ideology Unit 8: Reading Popular Culture Unit 9: Understanding Audiences Unit 10: Politics and Popular Culture Part 3: Society and Culture Unit 11: Culture, Ideology and Power Unit 12: Intellectuals and Society Unit 13: Nationalism and Culture Unit 14: Culture and the State Unit 15: Economy and Culture Part 4: The Case of Northern Ireland Unit 16: Ethnicity, Nationalism and Sectarianism Unit 17: Class and the Northern Ireland Conflict Unit 18: The Role and Status of Women within contemporary Northern Irish Society Unit 19: Official Representations of the conflict in Northern Ireland: The British State and the Media Unit 20: Alternative Representations of the Conflict in Northern Ireland: Republican and Loyalist Murals | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List Books:
Articles: None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Other Resources None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||