The Secret Life of Language

Subject LING10001 (2015)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2015.

Credit Points: 12.5
Level: 1 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period 27-Jul-2015 to 25-Oct-2015
Assessment Period End 20-Nov-2015
Last date to Self-Enrol 07-Aug-2015
Census Date 31-Aug-2015
Last date to Withdraw without fail 25-Sep-2015

On campus



Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 2 x 1-hour lectures and a 1-hour tutorial per week. No tutorials in first week of semester.
Total Time Commitment:

Total of 170 hours

Prerequisites:

none

Corequisites:

none

Recommended Background Knowledge:

none

Non Allowed Subjects:

none

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 Overview, Objectives, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Dr Brett Baker

Contact

bjbaker@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

Have you ever wondered how language actually works? Or how it can be that a 6 year-old child can know more about their native language than the most sophisticated computers? This subject is a practical introduction to the nature of human language which gives a conceptual framework for discussing language and provides the tools required to analyse and describe all of the world's 6000+ languages. Central areas of linguistics will be covered using data from languages from all over the world, including speech sounds, word structure, sentence structure, meaning, language learning, and language change.

Learning Outcomes:

Students who complete this subject will:

  • Explore the general nature of human language
  • Learn how language can be described and analysed
  • Gain a conceptual framework for thinking about and discussing language.
  • Develop simple analytic skills as applied to language
  • Attain a broad overview of academic approaches to the analysis of language
  • Develop foundational discipline-specific research skills in analysing and describing languages from around the world
  • Become acquainted with the use of learning and research technologies (LMS, library) to solve linguistic tasks
  • Engage in pedagogically led interactions in the classroom around problems and tasks in Linguistics
  • Develop an understanding of linguistic, social and cultural diversity in the university and wider community

Assessment:
  • 3 problem-solving assignments (equivalent to 2000 words total) distrubuted throughout the semester [50%]
  • 2-hour exam (equivalent to 2000 words) during the examination period [50%]

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:
  • An Introduction to Language (Australian edition) (Fromkin et al (eds)) Latest edition
Recommended Texts:

none

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 communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically.
  • develop skill in critical thinking and analysis.
  • gain skill in observation and attention to detail.
  • develop skill in thinking in theoretical terms.
Notes:

Formerly available as 175-105. Students who have completed 175-105 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Related Course(s): Bachelor of Arts(Media and Communications)
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: English Language - 200 Point Program
English Language Studies
Language Testing - 200 Point Program
Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
TESOL - 200 Point Program
Technology in Language Learning - 200 Point Program
Related Breadth Track(s): Linguistics: Language Structure and Analysis
Linguistics: English Language Studies

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