MASINDE MULIRO UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE EDUCATION

Course code/Title: ENG 916 – Contemporary Issues in Applied Linguistics

Academic Year: 2022/2023
Course Lecturer: Dr David Barasa (davidbarasa@mmust.ac.ke)

I. Purpose of the course

This course examines some of the key ongoing debates in current applied linguistics,
focussing on issues of teaching grammar with the aid of technology, contemporary issues in
translation and interpretation, examining language skills in the integrated approach, as well as
lexicology and lexicography. The course also presents emerging linguistic theories and the
relationship between linguistics and communication technology.
II. Expected Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, the student should be able to:
i) Explain the relationship between applied linguistics and theoretical linguistics.
ii) Describe the emerging issues in foreign and second language learning.
iii) Explain the contemporary linguistic issues in translation and interpretation studies.
iv) Analyse the strategies in lexicology and lexicography.
v) Examine how linguistic theory is applied to language problems.
vi) Explain the relationship between linguistics and communication technology; and
linguistics and the study of literature.
III. Course content
i) The relationship between applied linguistics and theoretical linguistics.
ii) Emerging issues in foreign and second language learning.
iii) The contemporary linguistic issues in translation and interpretation studies.
iv) Strategies in lexicology and lexicography.
v) The goals and techniques of contrastive analysis, error analysis and interlanguage
theory.
vi) The relationship between linguistics and communication technology; and
linguistics and the study of literature.
IV. Teaching and Learning Methodologies
Lecturers, tutorials, group discussions and seminar presentations.
V. Course Assessment
The course will be assessed through Sit-in-CATs, Course Projects and presentation of
research Proposal in a Seminar (40%); Examination (60%).
VI. Core Reading Material for the Course
Cook, G. & Sarah N. (2010). Applied Linguistics in Action. A reader. Taylor & Francis.
Cook, G. (2003). Applied Linguistics: An Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Deumert, A., Panović, A. D., Agyepong, D., & Barasa, D. (2019). African languages and
mobile communication–between constraint and creativity. The Cambridge handbook of
African linguistics, 555-574.
Hall, J. C, Smith H. P. & Wicaksono R. (2011). Mapping Applied Linguistics, Routledge.

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Olivia, N.S (2000). Contemporary perspectives on Language and Cultural Diversity.
London: O.U.P
Yule, G. (2002). The Study of Language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
VII. Recommended Reference Material
Competence and Performance: http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/ASC/Compet_perfo.html
Linguistic Competence: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linguistic_competence
Carter, R. 1987. Vocabulary: Applied Linguistics Perspective. New York: Routledge.
Chomsky, N. (1965). Aspects of the Theory of Syntax. Cambridge MA: MIT Press.
Driscoll, P. (1996). Debates in modern Language Education. London: Amazon.
https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/83599/7/BR%20Simpson%20review%20of%20Wei%20and
%20Cook%20book_revised.pdf
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1540-4781.2011.01187_2.x
NAME/ CONTACT SIGNATURE DATE
Course Leader/ Section Head
Lecturer
CoD
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