English - English Language and Culture: An Introduction

This module serves as a general introduction to the English studies programme, emphasising the role of language as a common denominator across the various subfields of the programme. By engaging with a range of topics of contemporary relevance, including topics within digitalization, the module provides you with a general understanding of what English studies is, what is required of you as a student of English, and what the study of English will enable you to do as a future expert within the field. In practical terms, the module introduces you to the conventions of academic writing and academic work more generally. It also gives you a hands-on introduction to a range of non-academic text types which are likely to be of relevance to your future career. To support the development of your reading and writing skills, the module includes a basic introduction to grammatical analysis and linguistic variation, which will enable you to describe and analyse the role of language in a range of text types and genres. In the final part of the module, you will get an opportunity to apply your skills in a group-based mini project related to select topics within one or more of the subfields of the English programme. The module has four parts (outlined below). Parts 1, 2 and 3 are placed in the first ten weeks of the semester. The final four weeks are dedicated to the mini project, Part 4, though the project process is initiated already in the first half of the semester.

Throughout the module, you will engage critically with the topic of digital technologies in English Studies, including the effects, challenges and opportunities of using tools and technologies with texts. Engaging with the technologies and the discussions surrounding these will allow you to develop critical digital literacy skills, which are crucial for graduates of English as you will be navigating the complexities of a digitally driven professional landscape in the future.

1. Academic reading and writing

Reading and writing academic texts are essential activities for students of English. This part of the module offers you a guided hands-on introduction to both aspects of academic life, giving you an opportunity to improve your skills as a reader and a writer. The course introduces you to texts from a range of subfields within English studies. In addition to writing your own texts, you will reflect critically on automatically generated texts. Furthermore, you will gain a technological understanding of how different technologies, including AI, work and of their role as aids to essential skills rather than replacements.

2. The English studies professional at work

This part of the module introduces you to various non-academic text types, giving you the necessary skills to identify and describe their particular features while also giving you an opportunity to try your hand at producing such texts. Much of the material in this part of the module is based on real-life examples drawn from the work experience of graduates from the English studies programme.

3. Functional perspectives on grammatical analysis and linguistic variation

This part of the module serves to raise your general language awareness by introducing you to grammatical analysis and description. It covers basic elements of English grammar and gives you the necessary skills to describe the role of grammar and linguistic variation in creating meaning in spoken and written texts, drawn from a range of subfields within English studies.

4. English studies mini project

This part of the module offers you the opportunity to explore select areas of English studies with your study group. Guided by project ideas and project packages compiled by researchers at the English programme, you will get an opportunity to apply all of the skills you have acquired in the first ten weeks of the module in a small-scale ‘research’ project. Working on this research project provides you with the possibility of developing your digital literacy skills in areas such as data management, digital scientific information search, and digital analysis and methodology.