Language and Society in Europe

Course Information

We will be talking about the various languages spoken in Europe and why and how they spread to other parts of the world. We will also cover some of the key issues concerning Europeans today: the environment; Brexit, and how this will be affecting trade and the European Union overall; immigration, both within the EU and from outside Europe; and how governments in many countries are struggling with ideological shifts. We will also talk about what makes Europeans, Europeans and how different they all are, why they behave like they do and what some of them consider important. We will be exploring certain cities, like London and Barcelona, the cuisine of France and the fantastic art of Italy. Come and join us!

Various texts will be used instead of a textbook.

We will cover:

Languages: Introduction to the various languages spoken in Europe today (weeks 1-4). In addition, from Week 5 on, we will be looking at individual countries, including a brief overview of the languages spoken there.

Society: Introduction to various topics and countries in Europe (weeks 5-13).

Assignments: Detailed information on assignments, weighting and evaluting criteria (also given below).

Assignments

The last three assignments need to be completed to pass the course

Three topics - Select ONE European country and then summarize THREE different issues affecting that European country today. - 4% of final grade.

Summary 1 - Pick just one out of the three topics in your first assignment and describe it. - 18% of final grade.

Summary 2 - Find another two articles on the same topic that provide different/contradictory points of view. - 18% of final grade.

Discussion - Find another two articles on the same topic, read them, integrate them with your previous summaries and provide your own point of view on the issue. - 40% of final grade.

Class participation (through class exercises and quizzes) - 20% of final grade.

PLAGIARISM: the Department of English has decided on a no-tolerance rule on plagiarism. Any kind or AMOUNT of plagiarim will result in an "F" grade for the whole subject with no option to withdraw. More information

Other information

Specific Objectives

Develop and detail students’ awareness of the diverse identities and cultures found in Europe.

Expand students’ comparative cultural understanding of the languages, media, literatures and cinema of selected European countries.

Extend students’ critical reading skills through a variety of reading assignments selected from the areas of linguistics, media, history, literature, film and music.

Enhance students’ ability to apply academic theories to analysing peoples, societies and events in Europe.

Cultivate students’ comparative cultural appreciation of the issues, events involved in historical, media and cultural events in this region.

 Outcomes

(a) demonstrate an understanding of the relations between languages and societies.

(b) appreciate and culturally compare identities and societies, as seen in the language, literature and media of selected European countries with which Hong Kong and China have commercial relations.

(c) understand a variety of academic theoretical approaches to analysing languages and societies .

(d) apply these analytically to a diverse range of cultural texts and events in Europe .

(e) develop their ability to appreciate, as well as reflect on, the linguistic and social issues and the cultural interest of selected European societies with which Hong Kong and China interact commercially .

References

The Economist https://www.economist.com/