MA Language, Culture and Communication

Program Overview

The MA Language, Culture and Communication at the University of Birmingham explores the use of language in social contexts, media, and intercultural communication. It equips students with analytical skills, critical understanding of discourse, and the ability to analyze language in globalized societies. Graduates develop transferable skills in communication, research, and analysis, preparing them for careers in academia, journalism, and various sectors.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The MA Language, Culture and Communication is a postgraduate taught program offered by the University of Birmingham's Department of English Language and Linguistics. It is a one-year full-time or two-year part-time program designed for students interested in understanding and critiquing the use of language in various social contexts, including politics, media, and intercultural communication. The program aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to:

• Understand how language is used in social contexts, politics, and the media.
• Compare and critique ideologies as reflected in the discourses of different institutions and cultures.
• Develop a critical understanding of key concepts and approaches in Discourse Analysis.
• Enhance awareness of the challenges and opportunities of communication across cultural boundaries in a globalized world.
The program is particularly suitable for students with backgrounds in linguistics, communication, and related fields who aspire to pursue careers in higher education, journalism, or research into the role of communication in media, politics, and society.

Outline:

The program structure includes:

• Core Modules (4):
• Describing Language:
This module provides a foundation in analyzing the lexis and grammar of English. Students are introduced to essential concepts and terminology, and gain practical experience in analyzing naturally-occurring language using models like pattern grammar. The module also emphasizes the application of such analysis to the study of language in social contexts.
• Discourse Culture and Intercultural Communication: This module explores how discourse production and reception are shaped by interactional, social, historical, political, and cultural contexts.
It emphasizes the discursive nature of culture, examining how language is used to talk about "ourselves" and "others." The module provides a critical overview of major theories in Discourse Studies and Intercultural Communication, while also developing practical analytic skills. Students learn to identify patterns of organization and discursive strategies in authentic written and oral texts from various sources (e.g., media, advertising, political speeches, interviews, casual conversation). The module also addresses the increasing need for and challenges of communication across cultural boundaries in a globalized world.
• Research Methods in Applied Linguistics: This module provides a grounding in approaches to and methods of research in Applied Linguistics.
• Sociolinguistics: This module examines the relationship between language and society, exploring how variation in language structure is distributed across different social groups (e.g., social class, gender, age, geographical area).
It considers the associations between aspects of a speaker's identity and different linguistic forms, the role of prestige, stigmatisation, and the significance of social networks and communities. The module also investigates how these facets of variation contribute to changes in the English language.
• Optional Modules (2): Students choose two optional modules from a range that may include:
• Bilingualism and Multilingualism in the TESOL Classroom
• Business Discourse and Communication
• Corpus Assisted Language Learning
• English as an International Language
• Language and Gesture
• Language and Politics
• Language and New Media
• Language, Gender and Identity
• Language Teaching Training
• Multimodal Communication
• Lexicography
• Psycholinguistics in TESOL
• Dissertation: In addition to the taught modules, students undertake a piece of independent research under the guidance of a supervisor, culminating in a 15,000-word dissertation.
• Academic Writing Course: A course in Academic Writing is offered to all students, particularly those whose first language is not English.

Assessment:

Assessment methods for the program include:

• Core Modules:
• Describing Language:
2 x 2,000-word essays
• Discourse Culture and Intercultural Communication:
4,000-word essay or report on a small-scale research project concerning some aspect of interdiscursive/intercultural communication.
• Research Methods in Applied Linguistics: 4,000-word essay
• Sociolinguistics:
One 4,000-word final project report or essay
• Dissertation: 15,000-word dissertation

Teaching:

• Modules are typically delivered through weekly two-hour seminars.
• Students receive one-to-one supervision to support their dissertation development.
• The program has two teaching semesters per year: autumn and spring.
• Full-time students typically take three modules per semester, followed by their dissertation.
• Part-time students complete 60 taught credits in year 1 and 60 in year 2, along with the dissertation.
• Each module represents 200 hours of study time, including seminars, preparatory reading, assignment preparation, and independent study.

Careers:

• The MA Language, Culture and Communication provides excellent preparation for a range of careers.
• Graduates develop transferable skills highly valued by employers, particularly in verbal and written communication, organization, time management, analysis, and interpretation of information.
• Many graduates enter roles directly related to their program, such as language analyst or data scientist.
• Others utilize their transferable skills in diverse occupations, including teaching, research administration, and events.

Other:

• The Department of English Language and Linguistics is one of the oldest and largest of its kind in the UK.
• The University of Birmingham is ranked among the world's top 50 institutions for English Language and Literature in the 2024 QS World University Rankings.
• The University offers support services like the Academic Writing Advisory Service and the Bank of Assessed Work to aid postgraduate students.
• The Department boasts a vibrant postgraduate community with conferences, seminars, and social events.
• The College of Arts and Law provides excellent support to postgraduates, including libraries, research spaces, careers support, and funding opportunities.
• The University of Birmingham is a top choice for major UK employers seeking graduate recruits.
• The College of Arts and Law has a dedicated careers and employability team providing tailored advice and College-specific careers events.
• Students have access to careers support for up to two years after graduation.

UK: £10,530 full-time; £ 5,265 part-time International: £25,290 full-time All international applicants to this course will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of £2,000 on receipt of an offer, to secure their place.