2025/26 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

LING2380 Language and Gender

20 Credits Class Size: 18

Module manager: Ruth Payne
Email: r.payne@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2025/26

Pre-requisites

LING1100 Language: Meaning and Use

Mutually Exclusive

LING3180 Language and Gender

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module explores the relationship between language, gender and sexualities by engaging with texts and media that create and maintain cultural ideas about gendered identities. The module specifically considers the suggestion that men and women use spoken language in different ways, taking into account early approaches to work in the field of language and gender. The module also covers areas of spoken and written language that contribute to the construction of ideas about masculinity and femininity against a backdrop of heteronormativity and cultural assumptions about gendered roles, as well as looking at work in Trans Linguistics. You are expected to have been introduced to sociolinguistic analysis on a Level 1 or 2 module in Linguistics or English Language before enrolling on this module. Please note this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module.

Objectives

This module aims to guide students to engage with a range of texts and discourses in relation to ideas about language and gender and help students understand the historical context of research in language and gender. Students will then be encouraged to reflect on their own experiences relating to gender, as well as to understand the impetus for research in this area. Students are also given specific opportunities to engage critically with approaches that explore gender as a cultural construct.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:

LO1 appraise historical and cultural developments that relate to gender
LO2 describe theoretical research in relation to issues of both language structure and language use, and consider these in relation to historical and cultural changes relating to gender
LO3 explain the role of language in the representation and construction of gendered identities in spoken and written contexts
LO4 interpret written and spoken texts in relation to the representation and construction of gender and sexuality

Skills Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:

LO5 Apply reflective self-awareness in relation to gender and gender bias
LO6 Critically consider language around gender when working with others

Syllabus

Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module

Teaching Methods

Delivery type Number Length hours Student hours
Lecture 15 1 15
Seminar 5 1 5
Private study hours 180
Total Contact hours 20
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) 200

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students are offered the opportunity to submit an outline for the written task (40%), and a short extract from the coursework essay (60%); feedback on the plan and on the essay writing style is provided.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework
Assessment type Notes % of formal assessment
Coursework Written task 40
Coursework Essay 60
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) 100

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading List

Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list

Last updated: 14/05/2025

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team