Phonetics

Course Code: EN220L

Institution:

Department of Language and Linguistics

Revision:

1

For students admitted spring 2013   fall 2012  

Approval

The course was established 09 February 2012.
This course syllabus (version 1) was approved 28 February 2012 by the Board of Studies at Faculty of Culture and Society (SMS).
The syllabus is valid from 01 September 2012. Replacement for course syllabus ratified 02 June 2008.

Education level

Advancement in relation to the degree requirements

Entry requirements

Learning outcomes

• understands the basic principles of phonetics and phonology, in general but also in particular in relation to English;
• will be able to recognize and use standard descriptive terminology for phonetics and English phonology;
• will be able to identify and describe some non-standard varieties of spoken English;
• will understand and be able to use the standard terminology employed to describe metre and other sound patterning in English poetry (rhyme, assonance etc),;
• knows the International Phonetic Alphabet, and
• can show knowledge of Malmö University’s perspectives: environment, gender, and migration and ethnicity.

• can analyse the structure of English phonology;
• can speak English in an accent that is understood by a majority of English speakers in Europe;
• demonstrates ability to work to agreed timetables, manage workloads, and meet deadlines, and
• can apply knowledge of Malmö University’s perspectives to issues pertaining to English Studies.

• is able to reflect critically on the role of English pronunciation in contemporary society from perspectives of gender, class, education, group membership etc;
• can think critically about the way any accent of English − including his or her own − facilitates or impedes communication, and inevitably arouses prejudice either positive or negative;
• understands the notion of significant difference, central to any understanding of phonology, and central too to any understanding of the notion of shared culture. Understands too that what is “natural” in the production of one language may not be in another, and
• comprehends how two of Malmö University’s three stated perspectives − International Migration and Ethnic Relations and Equality and Gender − relate to the pronunciation of English, a language used throughout the world.

Assessments

Phonetics is examined by an exam and a presentation/paper done in pairs.


Course content

Phonetics is an introduction to phonetics and phonology, applied especially to English but with application to any language, producing not only increased awareness of the sound of various accents, but also introducing students to the seminal importance of the notion of difference in the study of language.


Learning activities

Learning activities are lectures, seminars, self-study, peer review work and oral presentations.


Grading system

A,B,C,D,E,U.


Reading list and other media

Rogerson-Revell, Pamela. English Phonology and Pronunciation Teaching. Continuum, 2011. ISBN 978-0-8264-2403-7



Course evaluation

All students are offered an opportunity to give oral and written feedback at the end of the course. A summary of the results will be made available in the school's web-pages.

Student participation takes place through the course council.