L620 is divided into two primary, but not necessarily distinct
parts.  The first part is to acquaint students with sociolinguistics
methodologies:  how to gather and analyze sociolinguistic data and
what counts as data.  The second part includes various kinds of work
done in some of the following areas:  Language and sociocultural
identity including language, culture and thought, power and
solidarity, gender, and attitudes; Language and social institutions,
including law, medicine, journalism, occupation, and others.
Students will be responsible for a term paper on a topic of their
choice.  There will also be other class activities such as
presentations on readings and/or students' own projects.