WiSe 22/23: Language and Society
Jürgen Gerhards
Information for students
Modul exam: Term paper
Comments
I. Introduction
1. Introduction and organisation of the seminar
2. Conceptual clarification: the dialectical relationship between language and society
II. The micro perspective: Language proficiency as a central resource for participating in society
3. Social class, language skills and the reproduction of social inequality
4. Language acquisition of migrants
5. English proficiency as a transnational linguistic capital
III. The macro perspective: Nation states, Europe and world society
6. Hegemonic and peripheral languages: The world order of languages
7. The emergence of nation states and the institutionalisation of a common national language
8. The tension between national language and minority languages
9. Why English became a Lingua Franca?
10. The language constellation of the EU and EU’s language policy
IV. The relation between language, thinking and behaviour
11. Does the use of a gender-neutral language make a difference?
12. To what extent does the use of different languages influence ethical decisions?
13. Is the hegemonic position of English a threat for cultures or an advantage for understanding?
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16 Class schedule
Regular appointments