Language in Aboriginal Australia

Subject LING20009 (2012)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2012.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 2 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

Semester 1, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

On campus



Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 2 x 1 hour lectures and 1 x 1 hour tutorial per week. There will be no tutorials in the first or last weeks of semester.
Total Time Commitment:

3 contact hours/week, 5.5 additional hours/week. Total of 8.5 hours per week.
Prerequisites:

none
Corequisites:

none
Recommended Background Knowledge:

none
Non Allowed Subjects:

Formerly available as 175-214/314 and 175-018/674-310. Students who have completed these subjects are not eligible to enrol in this subject.
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Assoc Prof Rachel Nordlinger

Contact

racheln@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject develops an appreciation of the role of language in Aboriginal Australia, traditionally and today. On completion of the subject, students should have a general knowledge of the linguistic features which characterise Australian Aboriginal languages, including characteristics of grammar and pronunciation, and understand the ways in which social factors affect language structure and use in Aboriginal Australia.
Objectives:
  • have developed an appreciation of the role of language in Aboriginal Australia, traditionally and today.
  • have a general knowledge of the linguistic features which characterise Australian languages, including phonological and grammatical characteristics.
  • understand the ways in which social factors affect language structure and use in Aboriginal Australia.
  • be able to crack the code of unfamiliar languages and cultures.
  • appreciate the complexities of Australian indigenous cultures, as they surface in their languages.
Assessment:

Problem-solving assignments totalling 2000 words 50% (due throughout the semester) and an essay of 2000 words 50% (end of semester).

This subject has the following hurdle requirements:

  • Regular participation in tutorials is required with a minimum of 75% attendance.
  • All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day and in-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.
Prescribed Texts:

Language and Culture in Aboriginal Australia (Walsh & Yallop) 2005
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • be able to step outside their own language and culture.
  • be able to articulate concepts important in other cultures.
  • be able to imagine and get inside the mental world of other cultures.
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Australian Indigenous Studies
Australian Indigenous Studies
Australian Indigenous Studies
Australian Indigenous Studies Major
Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
Related Breadth Track(s): Linguistics: Language in its social and cultural context

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