Linguistics and the Eurovision Song Contest, 7.5 Credits
Swedish name: Språkvetenskapliga perspektiv på Eurovision Song Contest
This syllabus is valid: 2024-05-06
and until further notice
Course code: 1EN094
Credit points: 7.5
Education level: First cycle
Grading scale: Three-grade scale
Responsible department: Department of Language Studies
Established by: Faculty director of studies, Faculty of arts, 2024-02-13
Contents
The course addresses linguistic perspectives on the Eurovision Song Contest. Using the Eurovision Song Contest as a starting point, the course provides an introduction to European language policy, discourse analysis, multilingualism and metaphors.
The course consists of five modules:
introduction to the Eurovision Song Contest from a linguistic perspective (1.5 credits)
discursive perspectives on gender, political identity, and nationality (1.5 credits)
multilingualism (1,5hp)
metaphors (1.5 credits)
individual specialisation (1,5hp)
Expected learning outcomes
In order to be awarded a 'Pass' grade, the student must be able to Knowledge and Understanding:
Understand and explain how the European linguistic context is reflected in the Eurovision Song Contest,
Describe how multilingualism is reflected in the Eurovision Song Contest,
Abilities
discuss language in relation to identity formation,
identify and describe the use of metaphors in (song) texts,
Judgement and Approach
independently analyse (song) texts from relevant linguistic perspectives,
relate the specific premises of the Eurovision Song Contest to broader current language policy issues.
Required Knowledge
General entry requirements
Form of instruction
The course is entirely net-based and is conducted via an online learning platform. Teaching takes place in the form of pre-recorded lectures, net-based group discussions and quiz exercises. English is the medium of instruction in all modules.
Examination modes
Modules 1-4 are examined through assessment of written contributions in online discussion groups and quizzes, and each module is assessed with either grade Pass (G) or Fail (U).
Module 5 is examined through assessment of a written individual assignment with either grade Pass with distinction (VG), Pass (G), or Fail (U). Examination format may be adapted for students granted special educational services due to a disability. Such adaptations must conform to the expected learning outcomes. The course coordinator shall make a decision concerning adapted examination format upon application by the student, after consulting the course examiner. The decision shall be forwarded to the student.
Students who have received a pass grade cannot resit for a higher grade.
Students who fail an exam on the first occasion will be able to sit the exam again at a later date. The first resit shall be scheduled no later than 2 months after the original exam, and no sooner than 10 workdays after the result of the original exam has been published. For exams during May or June, the first resit shall be scheduled no later than 3 months after the original exam. The date for the resit shall be published no later than on the day of the original exam. At least one additional resit shall be scheduled within a year after the original exam.
The examiner may decide that a student who does not reach a Pass grade on a written assignment can do a revision for a Pass grade, as an alternative to a full resit. Such a revision must be made within 10 days of the result being published.
A student who has failed to reach a Pass grade after two attempts has the right to having another examiner appointed for the following resit, unless overriding reasons apply. Requests for another examiner shall be directed to the Faculty Programme Director at the Dean's Office, Faculty of Arts.
Literature
Valid from:
2024 week 19
All literature is either freely available online, via the university library or can be provided via Canvas.
Motschenbacher Heiko. Language, Normativity and Europeanisation : Discursive Evidence from the Eurovision Song Contest London : Palgrave Macmillan UK : 2016 : XVII, 384 p. 6 illus. in color. : Online access for UMUB ISBN: 9781137563019 Mandatory Search the University Library catalogue Reading instructions: Selected parts (available as e-book)
Pereltsvaig Asya Languages of the world : an introduction Third edition : Cambridge : Cambridge University Press : 2021 : xix, 482 sidor : ISBN: 9781108748124 Mandatory Search the University Library catalogue Reading instructions: Reading instructions p. 5-21
The Cambridge Handbook of Bilingualism Cambridge University Press : 2018 : Mandatory Reading instructions: Reading instructions: 119-134
Motschenbacher Heiko Now everybody can wear a skirt: linguistic constructions of non-heteronormativity at Eurovision Song Contest press conferences Institutionen för språkstudier : 2013 : Mandatory Reading instructions: In Discourse & Society, 2013, vol. 24, no. 5, 590-614.
How to do critical discourse analysis : a multimodal introduction Machin David, Mayr Andrea London : Sage : 2012 : 236 s. : Online access for UMUB ISBN: 9780857028921 Mandatory Search the University Library catalogue Reading instructions: Reading instructions: p. 15-29
The social meanings of language, dialect and accent : international perspectives on speech styles Giles Howard, Watson Bernadette M. New York : Peter Lang : cop. 2013 : viii, 194 s. : ISBN: 9781433118692 Mandatory Search the University Library catalogue Reading instructions: Reading instructions: 1-13; 18-20
Hilder Thomas Performing sexual identities. Nationalities on the Eurovision stage Institutionen för språkstudier : Länk Mandatory Reading instructions: Nordic sexual exceptionalism and indigenous rights: Sámi alternative visions of Europe and the Eurovision Song Contest
Kövecses Zoltán. Metaphor : a practical introduction 2nd ed. : New York : Oxford University Press : 2010 : 1 online resource (xx, 375 p.) : Online access for UMUB ISBN: 9780199705313 Mandatory Search the University Library catalogue Reading instructions: Reading instructions: 3-15, 49-62
All you need is love: metaphors of love in 19462016 Billboard year-end number-one songs Climent Salvador, Coll-Florit Marta Institutionen för språkstudier : 2021 : Mandatory Reading instructions: Text & talk, 2021-07, Vol.41 (4), p.469-491
Minority languages and sustainable translanguaging: threat or opportunity? Cenoz Jasone, Gorter Durk Institutionen för språkstudier : Mandatory Reading instructions: Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 38:10, 901-912. DOI: 10.1080/01434632.2017.1284855
Motschenbacher Heiko Now everybody can wear a skirt: linguistic constructions of non-heteronormativity at Eurovision Song Contest press conferences Institutionen för språkstudier : 2013 : Reading instructions: In Discourse & Society, 2013, vol. 24, no. 5, 590-614.
DOI: 10.1177/0957926513486167
Supplementary text-material (approx. 80 pages) will be available via the course site or Umeå University Library's digital resources.