This course approaches bilingualism from a multidisciplinary perspective. It aims to

  • develop an understanding of how English and Spanish are used in the U.S. among speakers, across regions and in a multitude of specific social contexts. 
  • introduce the relevant structural and functional characteristics focusing on bilingualism.
  • discuss aspects of code-switching (CS) in (online) interaction between bilingual speakers in the context of power and identity dynamics.

Through these three goals, the course introduces students to basic concepts of bilingualism and sociolinguistics of language communities in the United States. It provides a descriptive and critical overview of the different advantages and challenges of growing up and growing old bilingual as well as touching on the complex nature of bilingual identity construction transcending online and offline contexts.