Seminars in Languages and Linguistics A

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

On campus.

A program of advanced seminars on a current topic in language and cultural studies and/or linguistics and applied linguistics. The topic studied will vary from year to year depending on the availability of staff. Students will gain an in-depth knowledge of the particular topic under consideration, and will analyse and report on their research. Available topics will be posted during Semestser two of the previous year.

In 2011 the topic of the seminar will be "A History of Emotions". This seminar will provide students with an opportunity to examine the ways in which historians, philosophers, literary scholars and linguists have approached writing about emotions. It will consider various disciplinary approaches to the topic both in a historical perspective and in a contemporary one, reading key European texts on how emotions are represented, constructed and understood. A range of emotions will be explored such as fear, grief, trauma, love, desire, and pleasure. Different text types, for instance literature, diaries and letters, will be read as well as oral histories across time and place through themes such as war, migration, sexuality, gender and race.

• demonstrate in-depth knowledge of a particular cultural or linguistic topic.
• demonstrate the ability to analyse, and to report on their reading in a manner appropriate to the methodology adopted.
• demonstrate a critical understanding of how scholars have theorised emotions;
• understand and reflect upon theoretical and methodological issues involved with writing a history of emotions; and
• improve research and interpretative skills by developing a research project which is theoretically informed.

Written work totalling 5000 words 100% (commencing at the beginning of semester and due at the end of the subject). The assessment in History of Emotions will be: (1) A seminar presentation accompanied by a 1000 word discussion paper to be submitted within one week of the presentation (allocated in week one) 15%. (2) Seminar participation 10%. (3) A written research task of 4000 words 75% (due during the examination period).

This subject has the following hurdle requirements:

• Regular participation in tutorials is required with a minimum of 80% attendance.
• All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Materials supplied by the school

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• be able to communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically: through essay and assignment writing, tutorial discussion and class presentations.
• Written communication: through essay and assignment preparation and writing.
• Public speaking and confidence in self-expression: through tutorial participation and class presentations.
• Attention to detail: through close reading and textual analysis, essay preparation and writing, and examination revision.
• Time management and planning: through managing and organizing workloads for required and recommended reading, essay and assignment completion and revision for examinations