Global Englishes

Catalog description

English is a unique cultural phenomenon. As the official language in countries on all of the continents and with more contact with other languages than any other, it has the broadest linguistic sweep. Moreover, as the de facto lingua franca by which many millions of people conduct business, it is inextricably connected to "globalization" as both a cause and a result. This dominance has had enormous consequences. This course will help students understand how English achieved this dominance (at least so far), how this dominance influences individuals and cultures worldwide,and how languages and globalization operate in relation to culture. Above all, we'll address why all of this matters to those of us who use English in our daily lives, at work, and in the University (including the unique sociolinguistic context of YU) by considering how scholars in sociolinguistics, psychology, history, global studies, and writing studies as well as journalists around the world provide us with insight into this far-reaching phenomenon. Previously offered as COWC 1027.