WRCM 306 - Writing and Language Diversity

FC ARHU CD WADV

4 credits
Whether it involves stereotypes based on accents, insistence on “Standard English” in academic settings, or prejudice against certain varieties of English, many of us are steeped in questionable attitudes about language. This course explores issues in language diversity and examines what some refer to as “standard language ideology” - the idea that there is one superior form of language for academic and professional settings. We will delve into key sociolinguistic approaches to language diversity as we consider anti-racist work in language, the concept of World Englishes, the possibilities of codemeshing, and what this all means for the practice and teaching of writing. This course considers students’ diverse linguistic backgrounds as resources; in their writing, speaking, and multimodal projects for the course, students will explore ways to tap into the wealth of their linguistic experiences for expression. This course will be of special interest to WAs and students interested in education and language pedagogy.
Prerequisites & Notes: Closed to first-year students. This course will be of special interest to WAs and students interested in education and language pedagogy.