LINGS204-22G (NET)

Language of Social Media

15 Points

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Division of Arts Law Psychology & Social Sciences
School of Arts
General and Applied Linguistics

Staff

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Convenor(s)

Andreea Calude

Andreea Calude
9339
I.3.10
See Moodle
andreea.calude@waikato.ac.nz

Lecturer(s)

Administrator(s)

: ashleigh.wallace@waikato.ac.nz

Placement/WIL Coordinator(s)

Tutor(s)

Student Representative(s)

Lab Technician(s)

Librarian(s)

: anne.ferrier-watson@waikato.ac.nz

You can contact staff by:

  • Calling +64 7 838 4466 select option 1, then enter the extension.
  • Extensions starting with 4, 5, 9 or 3 can also be direct dialled:
    • For extensions starting with 4: dial +64 7 838 extension.
    • For extensions starting with 5: dial +64 7 858 extension.
    • For extensions starting with 9: dial +64 7 837 extension.
    • For extensions starting with 3: dial +64 7 2620 + the last 3 digits of the extension e.g. 3123 = +64 7 262 0123.
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Paper Description

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This course has two major strands which run parallel to each other, so that each topic involves elements from part one, followed by elements from part two. Part one introduces students to basic concepts and theory of language analysis, from a wide array of different areas of linguistics (morphology, genre, and register analysis, gender construction, grammar theory). Part two discusses relevant and current research specifically focusing on real language use on social media platforms, including TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Wikipedia, Reddit and Instagram. Students are thus exposed to how language use on social media relates to language use in other genres and they acquire technical skills for analyzing such language.
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Paper Structure

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The course is structured in five parts and one bonus (non-assessed component):

  1. Part 1 - Introduction to linguistics and introduction to social media
  2. Part 2 - How to use social media for your purpose (Genre, register and style analysis)
  3. Part 3 - How to use social media to be your self (Presentation of self and theories of gender and sexuality)
  4. Part 4 - How to use social media to get work done (Speech Act Theory)
  5. Part 5 - How to use social media to save the world (Metaphor and Framing Theory)

BONUS: Part 6 - How to use social media to amuse and entertain (Word formation theory and grammar).

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Learning Outcomes

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Students who successfully complete the paper should be able to:

  • Technical linguistic analysis

    be able to engage with technical, linguistically informed analyses of language at some basic level (for example, discussions of lexical innovation in Twitter)

    Linked to the following assessments:
  • Exposure to language data

    acquire practical, hands-on exposure to methods for language data analysis and key concepts pertaining to this (including morphological notions, such as prefixes, suffixes, compounds, hashtags, emojis, and sociolinguistics notions, such as gender, ethnicity, community of practice, network, language ideology)

    Linked to the following assessments:
  • Social media platforms knowledge

    acquire practical experience in digital communication and a good grasp of the linguistic differences which underpin different types of social media platforms

    Linked to the following assessments:
  • Practice academic writing

    have the opportunity to write an academic style report containing a short reflective linguistic analysis

    Linked to the following assessments:
  • Create own social media posts

    be able to formulate own social media posts and reflect on their creation using concepts and theory relating to language use

    Linked to the following assessments:
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Assessment

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The course assessment involves a weekly lesson which requires students to read through various materials and complete 5 intermingled quiz questions, and a weekly Moodle quiz. In addition, there is a written short answer assignment due in week 2 of the course and a longer essay due in week 5.
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Assessment Components

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The internal assessment/exam ratio (as stated in the University Calendar) is 100:0. There is no final exam. The final exam makes up 0% of the overall mark.

The internal assessment/exam ratio (as stated in the University Calendar) is 100:0 or 0:0, whichever is more favourable for the student. The final exam makes up either 0% or 0% of the overall mark.

Component DescriptionDue Date TimePercentage of overall markSubmission MethodCompulsory
1. Lesson 1
23 Nov 2022
5:00 AM
5
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
2. Quiz 1
23 Nov 2022
5:00 PM
5
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
3. Lesson 2
30 Nov 2022
5:00 PM
5
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
4. Quiz 2
30 Nov 2022
5:00 PM
5
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
5. Assignment 1
2 Dec 2022
5:00 PM
20
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
6. Lesson 3
7 Dec 2022
5:00 PM
5
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
7. Quiz 3
7 Dec 2022
5:00 PM
5
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
8. Lesson 4
14 Dec 2022
5:00 PM
5
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
9. Quiz 4
14 Dec 2022
5:00 PM
5
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
10. Essay
16 Dec 2022
5:00 PM
30
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
11. Lesson 5
20 Dec 2022
5:00 PM
5
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
12. Quiz 5
20 Dec 2022
5:00 PM
5
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
Assessment Total:     100    
Failing to complete a compulsory assessment component of a paper will result in an IC grade
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Required and Recommended Readings

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Required Readings

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Currently, this course does not have a required text-book. However, various additional articles will be placed on the Reading List and the lecturer is writing a new book under contract with Routledge Publishing, "The Linguistics of Social Media: An Introduction" (2023) which will eventually serve as a textbook. The book has already been drafted and chapter drafts will also be given out to students through Moodle (but they are not be distributed due to copyright).
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Recommended Readings

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See the LINGS Reading List for relevant recommended readings.
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Other Resources

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The course will also involve some video materials which will be specified on the Moodle page.
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Online Support

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As this is an online course, Moodle is a key resource which students are expected to access regularly. All communication with the convener can also be done via email or Zoom (by request) or in person (by appointment).
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Workload

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As this is a 15-point course, the expected workload is anticipated to require 150 hours of work. However, as this is spread over fewer weeks, students will likely require between 20-25 h per week in order to achieve maximum success in the course.
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Linkages to Other Papers

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This course follows on from ARTSC105 and COMMS101. However, the course has no prerequisites and does not rely on any prior knowledge other than sufficient proficiency in English.
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