MA Varieties of English

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  • Objectives
    This graduate programme provides students with the opportunity to: become familiar with approaches to the study of contemporary work on variation and change in English acquire the necessary methodological and analytical skills to formulate, test and critically evaluate research questions pertaining to variation in English; and to collect, transcribe, analyse and present empirical research achieve both practical and theoretical knowledge of major paradigms and interpretive traditions in studies of English variation develop a critical, in-depth comprehension of dialectological and sociolinguistic approaches to the analysis of variation and change in English develop a critical appreciation of the primary literature in the field undertake an original piece of individual research acquire a wide range of general research abilities and methods as well as transferable cognitive skills, practical skills and key skills acquire a foundation for further study, employment and life-long learning
  • Entry requirements
    Entry Qualifications A good degree. For non-native speakers of English, an IELTS score of 6.5, or equivalent.
  • Academic title
    MA Varieties of English
  • Course description

    Course Description
    The MA in Varieties of English explores the variety that exists in English, both geographically and socially. It considers how English came to be spoken in many parts of the world, the structural differences between different varieties of English, and the relationship that this variation has to its speakers' gender, ethnicity, regional origins and other social factors.

    Modules and Options

    The lists of modules below represent the range of options available for each year of study. This may not be a complete list of the options you will study, and may be subject to change, so please contact the department for further details.

    Stage 1

        Compulsory: SOCIOLINGUISTIC METHODS I
        Compulsory: SOCIOLINGUISTIC METHODS II
        Compulsory: SOCIOLINGUISTICS I
        Compulsory: VARIATION IN ENGLISH I
        Compulsory: VARIATION IN ENGLISH II
        Core: DISSERTATION: MA

    Teaching and Assessment Methods

    A: Knowledge and Understanding
        Learning Outcomes
        A1 : Familiarity with approacheds to the study of variation in English
        A2 : Understanding of the nature and status of linguistic data
        A3 : Practical and theoretical knowledge of the major paradigms and interpretive traditions in studies of variation in English
        A4 : Knowledge of key concepts, issues, ideas, theories, styles of argumentation and evaluation criteria used in contemporary variation research on English
        A5 : Knowledge of methods and tools employed in contemporary dialectological and sociolinguistic work to collect, transcribe, analyse and present data
        A6 : Critical, in-depth comprehension of one or more descriptive and explanatory sociolinguistic or dialectological approaches to English variation studies

        Teaching Methods
        Methods employed to achieve outcomes A1-6 below can include:
        lectures, seminars and classes,
        tutorials, eg. for project work,
        library and internet materials,
        printed/web course materials,
        independent learning,
        independent research,
        computer laboratory practicals,
        office/email consultation with staff,
        written/oral feedback on work.

        Assessment Methods
        Methods employed to achieve outcomes A1-6 below can include:
        coursework essays
        coursework exercises
        research project

    B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills
        Learning Outcomes
        B1 : Critically evaluate contrasting theories/accounts/explanations/approaches, demonstrating an understanding of the relationship between theory and data
        B2 : Abstract and synthesise information from a range of sources (lectures/seminars/classes, journals, books, internet, etc.) identifying central concepts and findings
        B3 : Make observations and generalisations about behaviour (or data, or other materials) and analyse relevant types of behaviour, data, or materials using relevant methodologies

        Teaching Methods
        Methods employed to achieve outcomes B1-3 can include:
        lectures, seminars and classes
        problem-solving in data sessions
        tutorials, eg. for project work
        library and internet materials
        printed/web course materials
        independent learning
        independent research
        computer laboratory practicals
        office/email consultation with staff
        written/oral feedback on work

        Assessment Methods
        Methods employed to achieve outcomes B1-3 can include:
        coursework essays
        coursework exercises
        research project
        oral presentations

    C: Practical Skills
        Learning Outcomes
        C1 : Retrieve information from a variety of sources (e.g. Library, WWW, CD-rom)
        C2 : Utilise techniques and tools relevant to the collection, analysis and presentation of data from accents and dialects of English
        C3 : Propose, plan, undertake, write up and present an independent survey or report (e.g. on research undertaken individually or in collaboration with others, or on a case study), with a minimum of guidance

        Teaching Methods
        Methods employed to achieve outcomes C1-3 can include:
        seminars and classes
        laboratory practicals
        tutorials, eg. for project work
        independent learning
        independent research
        office/email consultation with staff
        written/oral feedback on work
        library and internet materials
        printed/web course materials

        Assessment Methods
        Methods employed to achieve outcomes C1-3 can include:
        coursework essays
        coursework exercises
        research project
        oral presentations

    D: Key Skills
        Learning Outcomes
        D1 : a. Communicating effectively in writing, including writing essays and reports and program documentation using the appropriate register and style b. Communicating effectively in speech, including making oral contributions to discussion, and (where required) making oral presentations (of reports etc.)
        D2 : Using advanced computational tools and software packages to obtain, store and process information stored in electronic form (e.g. from the Library, WWW or CD-rom), and (where appropriate) to analyse data and results
        D3 : Under guidance, interpreting relevant statistical information and, where required, showing familiarity with complex procedures of symbol manipulation
        D4 : Analysing complex data-sets or behaviour, abstracting insightful generalisations and testing abstract hypotheses
        D5 : Under guidance, working independently, demonstrating initiative, self-organisation and time-management in tackling and solving complex problems
        D6 : Using oral and written feedback provided on assessed or unassessed written or oral work, discussions with staff, fellow students and visiting scholars, insights gained from modules, workshops, talks, reading and research, developing a critical and reflective approach to the development of one's own work and the knolwedge and skills required to progress

        Teaching Methods
        Methods employed to achieve outcomes D1-5 can include:
        seminars/classes/tutorials for projects
        oral class presentations
        web-based course materials
        independent learning
        individual/team research project.
        There is also office consultation with staff, email consultation with staff, and written/oral staff feedback on work.
        Students are encouraged to undertake work with others to achieve common goals eg in research planning, management and presentation

        Assessment Methods
        Methods employed to achieve outcomes D1-5 can include:
        coursework essays
        coursework exercises
        research projectMethods employed to achieve outcomes D1-5 can include:

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