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Åbo Akademi University 2014/2015
ÅBO CAMPUS
and discourse linguistics, books and articles on the study of
particular topics within the field, standard reference works.
A reading list will be issued each year.
The Linguistics of Language Learning
104552.0
5 credits
MA (advanced) level, please see prerequisites
Lectured course
Offered: Autumn 2014
Lecturer: Signe-Anita Lindgrén
Contact:
Aim: To acquaint students with the main research-based
insights into the nature of foreign language learning, to ex-
tend and apply their knowledge of linguistics to the study of
language learning, to introducemethodological issues related
to the investigation and assessment of language learning,
and to develop academic skills necessary for the satisfactory
completion of the course work.
Contents: A survey of the study of foreign language learn-
ing, discussions of findings in applied linguistics research
from the perspective of language learning, an overview of
the main conceptual and methodological issues related
to language learning, and an examination of the interface
between theoretical linguistics and the practical contexts of
language learning.
Mode of study: Seminars; full attendance required in all
seminar meetings
Prerequisites: 60 credits (ECTS) of English at university level
Target audience: MA-level students of English language and
literature, compulsory for students on the teachers' line; other
students may be admitted if there are available spaces.
Form of assessment: One 20-minute presentation and peer
assessment, one 10-page (4,000-word) essay, weekly readings
and tasks for preparation and post-processing, adequate
preparation for and active participation in classes.
Course literature: Course materials may include books and
scholarly articles on foreign language learning and relevant
linguistic frameworks, supplementary course materials, re-
cordings, video and web-based materials, corpus data and
other material, and standard reference works. A reading list
will be issued.
Children's Literature
$"/$&--&%
104657.1
5 credits
MA (advanced) level, please see prerequisites
Lectured course
Off ered: Autumn 2014
Lecturer: Maria Lassén-Seger
Contact:
Aim: To provide an introduction to the history and analysis of
classical and modern children's literature in English.
Contents: An introduction to the history and defi nitions of
literature for children; an introduction to the theoretical ap-
proaches to literature; an introduction to the concepts of the
child and childhood in books for children; and an introduction
to the central genres and themes of fi ction for children and
its role in society.
Mode of study: Seminars; full attendance required in all
seminar meetings
Prerequisites: 60 credits (ECTS) of English at university level
Target audience: MA-level students of English language and
literature
Form of assessment: For each lecture students are required
to read assigned fi ctional texts, which are discussed in class.
The fi nal examination is a fi ve-pagewritten analysis of a book
of your own choice.
Course literature: Thesewill include novels and picture books,
and theoretical texts. Every year a reading list will be issued.
Topics in Literary Theory
104540.0
5 credits
MA (advanced) level, please see prerequisites
Lectured Course
Offered: Autumn 2014
Lecturer: Anthony Johnson
Contact:
Aim: To help students deepen their understanding of the
issues behind Literary Theory and todevelop aworking knowl-
edge of selected theoretical approaches that may be of use
to them in the pursuit of their own special research interests.
Contents: Relevant schools of Literary Theory studied will be
tailored according to the needs and interests of participants
in the course.
Mode of study: Seminars; full attendance required in all
seminar meetings
Prerequisites: 60 credits (ECTS) of English at university level
Target audience: MA-level students of English language and
literature.
Form of assessment: One 2-page written assignment to be
delivered in class as an oral presentation and handed in and
one fifteen-page essay (6000 words), adequate preparation
(readings and tasks) for and active participation in seminars.
Course literature: Camelia Elias, TheWay of the Sign: Cultural
Text Theory in Two Steps (UK and Denmark: Eyecorner Press,
2011) + selected literary texts and handouts.
English in Context
104550.0
5 credits
MA (advanced) level, please see prerequisites
Lectured course
Offered: Autumn 2014
Lecturer: Martin Gill
Contact:
Aim: To explore key aspects of English language use, varia-
tion and change in a range of contemporary and historical
contexts; to help participants develop critical insights into
the relations between social and linguistic phenomena in a
historical perspective, and an understanding of the relevant
concepts and methodologies used to study them; to read a
range of literature in the field. Participants will be encouraged
to read and think critically about the issues raised, and to de-
velop interests of their own. Sessionswill be in seminar format,
with a presentation followed by related activities and discus-
sion. Readings form an essential part of the work to be done.
Content: An initial session will present an overview of the
field; selected topics will then be examined in greater depth.
These may include issues relating to: social and regional lan-
guage variation in anglophone settings; processes of change,
growth and standardization; linguistic legacies of the British
Empire; places, varieties and identities; norms, attitudes and
prescriptivism; English at school; the politics of language;
urban Englishes andmultilingualism; English in international
contexts; language spread and competition; language and
gender; politeness phenomena.
Mode of study: Seminars; full attendance required in all
seminar meetings
Prerequisites: 60 credits (ECTS) of English at university level
Target audience: MA-level students of English language and
