Embedded Files
This is a tentative list of scheduled topics we'll cover in ENG492/592, Language and Social Justice.
All content is subject to change, because I update this course to be responsive to current events.
Our discussions will also shape the content of this course--please check this page later in the semester for updates!
I welcome all students to share content suggestions that draw upon your creativity and life experiences.
Week 1
Week 1
Module 1
Wednesday, January 22
Introducing Linguistic Analysis & Human Rights
Introducing Linguistic Analysis & Human Rights
Week 2
Week 2
Module 2
Monday, January 27
Getting to Know You: Weaving Social Justice Advocacy
Getting to Know You: Weaving Social Justice Advocacy
Schloendorff v. Society of New York Hospital (1914)
Schloendorff v. Society of New York Hospital (1914)
Module 3
Wednesday, January 29
Linguistic Autobiography & the Cycle of Socialization
Linguistic Autobiography & the Cycle of Socialization
Week 3
Week 3
Module 4
Monday, February 3
Introducing Language Socialization & Language Ideology
Introducing Language Socialization & Language Ideology
Module 5
Wednesday, February 5
Decolonization and Language Teaching
Decolonization and Language Teaching
Problem Set from chapter:
Your responses
Graduate students:
Develop a 10-minute classroom lesson to teach a language concept with insights from decolonial perspectives in mind.
Plan to demo/ teach your lesson in class
Due: Wednesday, February 26
✅ Planning Ahead for May 2025
✅ Planning Ahead for May 2025
Final Projects: What does social justice mean to you?
Final Projects: What does social justice mean to you?
Work in groups of 2-3.
Use this project as an opportunity to interview at least 2-4 community members about what justice looks/sounds like to them.
Gather audio and/or video of your interviews.
Create a short film by editing your videos together.
Add your own analysis through on-screen titles and/or voiceover.
Your analysis should include at least 2-4 key terms and concepts we have explored in this class.
Due May 5 and May 7 - screening of student films in final week of class
Week 4
Week 4
Module 6
Monday, February 10
Family Language Policy & Language Ideology
Family Language Policy & Language Ideology
Module 7
Wednesday, February 12
Critical Autoethnography: Teaching English Abroad
Critical Autoethnography: Teaching English Abroad
🩷 Messages of Encouragement
Informal Group Presentations
Student-led discussion of key themes from reading
Exploration Assignment #1, Part 1: An interview to challenge your gaze
Week 5
Week 5
No class - President's Day Holiday
Monday, February 17
Module 8
Wednesday, February 19
Linguistics Fundamentals, Brown vs. Board of Education (1954), King v. Ann Arbor School District (1977)
Linguistics Fundamentals, Brown vs. Board of Education (1954), King v. Ann Arbor School District (1977)
Engaging with Critical Autoethnography as an Inquiry Method
Engaging with Critical Autoethnography as an Inquiry Method
Exploration Assignment #1, Part 2:
In our discussion, share some initial reflections on your interview.
Next, write a 2-3 page first-person essay analyzing the other person's experience through your personal lens. Use our key terms and concepts to (1) explain your point of view, and (2) enhanced understanding.
Draft essay due Monday, February 24
Another resource for you
Another resource for you
Talking Black in America: Roots
Talking Black in America: Roots
Deepen your understanding by viewing a PBS documentary film on language in the Global Black experience.
Week 6
Week 6
Module 9
Monday, February 24
Review: Exploring Your Critical Autoethnographies
Review: Exploring Your Critical Autoethnographies
Informal Group Presentations
Student-led discussion of key themes from reading
Peer Review of your essay drafts
Exploration Assignment #1, Part 3: You will exchange essays with the person whom you wrote about. Gather their feedback to expand your perspective. Do you have the "full story"?
Module 10
Wednesday, February 26
Co-Constructing Social Justice: Teaching English Abroad
Co-Constructing Social Justice: Teaching English Abroad
In-class demo lessons by graduate students
Based on insights from Thomas (2025) etc.
Develop and present a 10-minute classroom lesson to teach a language concept with insights from decolonial perspectives in mind.
Coming next:
Final essay due Wednesday, March 12 (Critical Authoethnography)
Week 7
Week 7
Module 11
Monday, March 3
Rural Transportation and Equitable Access
Rural Transportation and Equitable Access
Informal Group Presentations
Student-led discussion of key themes from reading
In-class demo lessons by graduate students
Module 12
Wednesday, March 5
We will meet in LCH A-221 and walk together to the conference session.
Week 8
Week 8
Module 13
Monday, March 10
Urban Transportation and Gentrification
Urban Transportation and Gentrification
Informal Group Presentations
Student-led discussion of key themes from reading
Module 14
Wednesday, March 12
Review (Quiz)
Review (Quiz)
- Language and Our Environment
Exploration Assignment #1, Part 4: Use what you have learned to update and finalize your essay.
Final essays due Wednesday, March 12
Week 9
Week 9
Module 15
Monday, March 17
Greenwashing and Critical Discourse Analysis
Greenwashing and Critical Discourse Analysis
Exploration Assignment #2, Part 1: Use this as an opportunity to challenge your own consumer habits. Write a series of ideas for a critical discourse analysis (CDA) of the label and marketing campaign of a product you use.
Draft idea list due Wednesday, March 19
Module 16
Wednesday, March 19
Your Observations of Environmental Discourses
Your Observations of Environmental Discourses
Peer Review of your idea lists
Exploration Assignment #2, Part 2: Based on your CDA list, create an original illustration of a "True Label" as a critique of the existing product marketing. What should the product label really look like?
Draft due Monday, March 24
Week 10
Week 10
Module 17
Monday, March 24
California's Water Protectors
California's Water Protectors
Your Presentations - True Labels
Exploration Assignment #2, Part 2: Present your True Label in class.
Module 18
Wednesday, March 26
Water Justice Strategies & Protecting the Salton Sea
Water Justice Strategies & Protecting the Salton Sea
Spring Break
Spring Break
March 30 - April 5
Please enjoy the break!
Please enjoy the break!
Week 11
Week 11
Module 19
Monday, April 7
Consumer Food Safety and The Pure Food Movement
Consumer Food Safety and The Pure Food Movement
U.S. v. Hippolite Egg Company (1911)
U.S. v. Hippolite Egg Company (1911)
Module 20
Wednesday, April 9
Organic Food and Food Deserts
Organic Food and Food Deserts
🥬 🧃 Guest speaker, Food Access Expert
🥬 🧃 Guest speaker, Food Access Expert
Pooja Jhobalia-Pelham, Starbucks, OC Food Bank
Pooja Jhobalia-Pelham, Starbucks, OC Food Bank
✅ Planning Ahead for May 2025
✅ Planning Ahead for May 2025
Final Projects: What does social justice mean to you?
Final Projects: What does social justice mean to you?
Work in groups of 2-3.
Use this project as an opportunity to collectively interview at least 2-4 community members about what justice looks/sounds like to them.
Gather audio and/or video of your interviews.
You should inform potential interviewees that the audio and/or video will only be screened privately in class.
Create a short film by editing your videos together.
Your complete, edited video should be no more than 4-5 minutes in total.
Add your own analysis through on-screen titles and/or voiceover.
Your analysis should include at least 2-4 key terms and concepts we have explored in this class.
Due May 5 and May 7 - screening of student films in final week of class
Week 12
Week 12
Module 21
Monday, April 14
🗣️📈 Guest speaker, Language Socialization Expert
🗣️📈 Guest speaker, Language Socialization Expert
Dr. Fatma Said, Zayed University (Abu Dhabi)
Dr. Fatma Said, Zayed University (Abu Dhabi)
Module 22
Wednesday, April 16
Envisioning a More Just World: Unlearning & The Cycle of Liberation
Envisioning a More Just World: Unlearning & The Cycle of Liberation
Project Day, Peer Collaboration
Project Day, Peer Collaboration
Planning Final Projects (in-class)
Another resource for you
Another resource for you
Why use the phrase "Sleeping Languages"?
Why use the phrase "Sleeping Languages"?
Deepen your understanding by viewing an Instagram video from an Indigenous speaker of Ktunaxa, a language in use across the Ktunaxa Nation, which includes Montana, Idaho, and British Columbia (Canada).
Week 13
Week 13
Module 24
Monday, April 21
FIELDTRIP!
FIELDTRIP!
📚 CSUDH Library visit: Guided tour of the Dominguez Hills at 65 special collection with university archivist Greg Williams
📚 CSUDH Library visit: Guided tour of the Dominguez Hills at 65 special collection with university archivist Greg Williams
We will meet in LCH A-221 and walk together to the Library Gallery LIB 1940 room (outside entrance near the Globe Sculpture).
Module 25
Wednesday, April 23
Linguistic Profiling & Forensic Linguistics
Linguistic Profiling & Forensic Linguistics
Sleeping Languages and Language Reclamation
Sleeping Languages and Language Reclamation
Project Day, Peer Collaboration
Project Day, Peer Collaboration
Planning Final Projects (on your own)
Week 14
Week 14
Module 26
Monday, April 28
🎯 Guest speaker, Legal Expert
🎯 Guest speaker, Legal Expert
Kerri Andersen, JD, Beautiful Day Collective
Kerri Andersen, JD, Beautiful Day Collective
Mendez v. Westminster (1946)
Mendez v. Westminster (1946)
Module 27
Wednesday, April 30
Focus on "Birthright Citizenship"
Focus on "Birthright Citizenship"
Lau v. Nichols (1974)
Lau v. Nichols (1974)
Bilingual Education & Dual Immersion Programs
Bilingual Education & Dual Immersion Programs
Review (Quiz)
Review (Quiz)
- Language and the Law
Another resource for you
Another resource for you
Lau v. Nichols
Lau v. Nichols
Expand your understanding of the significance of this Supreme Court case by viewing a brief documentary film on language in Chinese American immigrant experience.
Week 15
Week 15
Final week of class!
Film Festival!
Monday, May 5
Screening of Student Films
Screening of Student Films
Film Festival!
Wednesday, May 7
Screening of Student Films
Screening of Student Films
Google Sites
Report abuse