Sociolinguistics and Sociology of Language

Faculty:

Spring 2026: Spring 2026 – May 19, 2026
Schedule
Subject: ANTH
Level: 200
Credits: 200
Max Enrollment: 22
Language of Instruction: English
Prerequisites: No
This course is focused on linguistic diversity existing in modern societies and how we use languages in our everyday life. The course will introduce classic and modern theories of linguistic anthropology and cover a wide range of problems connected with the legal status and social prestige of different idioms. We will examine the specificity of language choice in different ethnic, religious, and regional communities, as well as generations and political groups. During the course, we will study the language as the object of state policy. The students will explore the role of state institutions and different social actors included into language policy, as well as its types, stages and results. During the classes, students will read and discuss the crucial papers in the field of sociolinguistics, dedicated to the language contact situations and the constructions of “new languages” and their impact on social identity. Based on the course materials, the students will learn how to describe and estimate the language situation, and will be able to analyze language hierarchies and attitudes, linguistic conflicts, phenomenon of code switching and diglossia, language shift, language death and revitalization practices in different speech communities. Besides the participation in theoretical discussions, the students will be required to prepare two projects during the course: 1) description and public presentation of language landscape of their city/town/district/region; 2) report on language regime in officially bilingual/multilingual region (state or province), and write a book review, based on the list of proposed works in the field of linguistic anthropology.

 

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Craft a reflective statement of purpose explaining your interest in the Smolny Beyond Borders online course. Your statement’s clarity and substance will significantly influence our selection. Convey your motivations and aspirations for this course succinctly but thoroughly. Kindly write your statement in the course’s Language of Instruction.

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Smolny Beyond Borders

A Liberal Arts Initiative
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Use the Latin alphabet for all entries on the portal, including your name. If the Language of Instruction is Russian, you may use Cyrillic only within the Statement of Purpose.

Refrain from using email addresses in domains ru or by or associated with Russian or Belarusian educational or state institutions.

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Пожалуйста, используйте латиницу при заполнении всех полей на портале, включая имя и фамилию.

Даже если язык обучения на курсе - русский, кириллицу можно использовать только в тексте мотивационного письма.

Просим не использовать адреса электронной почты в доменных зонах ru или by, а также адреса, связанные с российскими или белорусскими государственными или образовательными учреждениями.

Рекомендуем заранее подготовить мотивационное письмо.  


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Smolny Beyond Borders

A Liberal Arts Initiative




Afghan Female Student Outreach, Al-Quds Bard, Al-Quds University, AltLiberalArts, American University of Afghanistan, American University of Beirut, American University in Bulgaria, American University of Central Asia, Ashesi University, Bard College, Bard College Berlin, BRAC University, Central European University, European Humanities University, Haitian Education and Leadership Program, Hubs for Connected Learning Initiatives, Institute for Philosophy, Belgrade, Kyiv School of Economics, National Sun Yat-sen University, Parami University, Rift Valley Institute, Talloires Network of Engaged Universities, Tuskegee University, Universidad de los Andes, University of the West Indies, Wits University




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Craft a reflective statement of purpose explaining your interest in the Smolny Beyond Borders online course. The file should be saved with your name and course title as the filename and uploaded accordingly. Your statement's clarity and substance will significantly influence our selection. Convey your motivations and aspirations for this course succinctly but thoroughly. Kindly write your statement in the course's Language of Instruction.
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