2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

MODL1401 Discourse, Culture and Identity

20 Credits Class Size: 60

Module manager: Dr Bethan Davies
Email: b.l.davies@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

What is ‘culture’? How do we construct our sense of nationhood and national/individual identity? What impact does globalisation have on the circulation of cultures and peoples? This module will develop your understanding of these issues by focusing on the multiple ways in which languages and discourses about languages shape our ideas about nation, identity, culture and globalisation. You will also enhance your research and communication skills by producing your own digital presentation.

Objectives

Through lecture and seminar activities, and the preparation and completion of coursework assessments, this module aims to:

1. Introduce core concepts and themes in the study of the relationship between language, culture, identity and globalisation

2. Introduce a linguistic-focused approach to written and multimodal texts, using discourse analytic methods

3. Familiarise students with key debates relating to these interactions

4. Develop an understanding of how Discourse functions to structure ideological meanings in society, in particular to our conceptualisations of nation, culture and identity

5. Develop students’ presentation and technical skills through both the preparation and production of the individual presentation

6. Develop students’ skills in preparing for coursework (information searching) and communicating their findings.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will be able to:

LO1: Explain key concepts in at least two of the module strands

LO2: Discuss key issues in at least two of the module strands (Culture,

LO3: Apply the theoretical knowledge gained to analyse and evaluate different contexts to those introduced in class.

Skills Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:

SO4: Demonstrate foundational academic skills in information searching and assessment of sources

SO5: Communicate information clearly and in an appropriate style of language through two different media: written language (Research essay) and an audio-visual presentation (Recorded Presentation)

SO6: Demonstrate technical skills in using a digital platform for producing a presentation using slides with narration

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
Lectures 16 1 16
seminars 4 1 4
Private study hours 180
Total Contact hours 20
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) 200

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students will receive formative feedback via discussion in seminars and lectures on their understanding of concepts and debates. The first assessment will provide formative feedback on the understanding of concepts, the use of sources and the communication of ideas as well as on the format of the work. Office hours will provide another route for personalised feedback and this will relate to assessment preparation and discussion of prior feedback as well as conceptual understanding.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework
Assessment type Notes % of formal assessment
Presentation Individual recorded presentation 40
Essay or Dissertation Research 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

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 2/2/2024

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