What you will study
The module is relevant to anyone with a general interest in linguistics and the English language, and how it is used by speakers, writers, and producers of multimodal texts in creative ways; or in specific areas of language study, such as language and literature, language and media, or children’s language. It is also relevant to teachers and others with a professional interest in English.
The module is divided into the following three main sections:
Creativity in Language: from Everyday Style to Verbal Art
The first section examines the fundamental role that creativity plays in the way we express ourselves, both in everyday and literary contexts. It considers how linguistic creativity is achieved, what effects it has, and how we can study it. The approaches discussed in this section range from those used in stylistics and sociolinguistics to literary studies, with examples drawn from everyday contexts (such as conversations at home or at work), as well as from popular culture, including the sitcom, to ‘high culture’ literary language. It also considers the effects that the rise of social media has had on the use of language in society, as well as the potential this creates for new forms of linguistic and communicative play.
Narrative, language and creativity
This section brings together current ideas and research in narrative approaches and analysis from across a range of disciplines to address the following key questions: Why does narrative continue to play such a central role in our lives? What kinds of narrative practices are found in different areas of social and artistic life? How have narrative practices been changing in the face of new multimedia possibilities and challenges? What analytical and theoretical frameworks are available to explore the current functions and significance of narrative in its many varied manifestations?
The politics of language and creativity in a globalised world
The final section explores the explosion in text ‘production’ activity across modes, media and technologies in contemporary society and examines how this historic shift is raising questions about what gets counted and valued as ‘creative’ linguistic and semiotic practice and why. Using examples including advertisements, political speeches, social media, poetry, pop songs and digital fiction, the section explores a number of key questions: In what ways is linguistic and semiotic ‘creativity’ a political phenomenon? How are creative acts shaped and constrained by political, social, economic and technological forces? How is linguistic and semiotic creativity currently being used as a resource for political activity, and why? How is the global status and uses of English reconfiguring the nature of linguistic and semiotic practices, and what gets evaluated as ‘creative’?
In exploring creativity across a range of genres and social contexts, this module provides a lively introduction to stylistic, sociolinguistic and multimodal analysis. It draws on work in literature, creative writing and performance studies as well as English language studies.
Entry
This is an OU level 3 module. OU level 3 modules build on study skills and subject knowledge acquired from studies at OU levels 1 and 2. They are intended only for students who have recent experience of higher education in a related subject, preferably with the OU. Unless you have previous experience of studying the English language, or linguistics, language and literature or some other branch of language studies, you are advised to take this module after studying the OU level 2 module English in the world (L201) or its predecessor, Worlds of English (U214).
Some of the language used in this module may be regarded as only suitable for adults. If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.