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Unit outline_

LNGS7509: Linguistic Diversity and Social Justice

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Language is a fundamental human right. However, it is a right that is often overlooked. One consequence of a failure to uphold linguistic rights is a loss of languages. This unit discusses issues of linguistic diversity in the context of social justice. The unit pays attention to the different ways in which language intersects with various forms of disadvantage, including exclusion, discrimination, and language loss. We consider the impact of this on individuals whose linguistic practices are overlooked or devalued and investigate ways in which we can advocate for social justice by supporting linguistic diversity.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Linguistics
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Sunny Boy Mahboob, ahmar.mahboob@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Sunny Boy Mahboob, ahmar.mahboob@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment hurdle task Final project report and material
Project report + material
80% Formal exam period
Due date: 11 Nov 2024 at 23:59
2500 word report + material
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Presentation hurdle task Final presentation
Presentation
20% Week 11 15 minute presentation
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

The two assignments will help you develop resources to support linguistic diversity in your contexts. 

Assessment criteria

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Work of an exceptional standard

Distinction

75 - 84

Work of a very high standard

Credit

65 - 74

Work of a good standard

Pass

50 - 64

Work of an acceptable standard

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning out

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

As per Uni policies

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to unit: Linguistic diversity & social justice Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 02 Language diversity 1: Variation & difference Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 03 Introduction to the CREDIBLE Approach Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 04 Creating CREDIBLE projects Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 05 Group meetings - project development Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Group meetings - project development Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 07 Group meetings - project development Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Group meetings - project development Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 09 Group meetings - project development Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 Group presentations Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 Group presentations Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Final presentations Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 13 Wrap up and planning ahead Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance is expected (5% of final mark). Each week, students will present and discuss key points from selected readings.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Piller, Ingrid. 2016. Linguistic diversity and social justice. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Students will become familiar with and learn to critically appraise the literature on linguistic diversity.
  • LO2. Students will become familiar with critical approaches within language and linguistics.
  • LO3. Students will learn to apply linguistic reasoning to societal issues.
  • LO4. Students will learn to create resources to support lignuistic diversity.
  • LO5. Students will acquire academic presentational skills of a high standard.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This is the first time this unit has been offered.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

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