PSY4509

Contemporary issues in cognition - Psycholinguistics ( 6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL)

Leader: Dr G Yelland

Offered:
Caulfield First semester 2005 (Evening)
Caulfield First semester 2005 (OCL)
Singapore First semester 2005 (OCL)
Singapore Second semester 2005 (OCL)

Synopsis: This unit will explore a variety of current and controversial issues within the domain of Psycholinguistics through student presentations and class discussion. The fundamental issue for the psycholinguist is what it is that we as language users do that enables us to comprehend and produce meaningful language in its various forms and increasingly, what goes wrong when language fails. Each seminar covers a different topic selected from: the acquisition of language, the mysteries of reading and spelling; language and the deaf; bilingualism and a range of developmental, acquired and progressive disorders of language (including dyslexia, SLI, stuttering, autism, aphasia, and dementia).

Objectives: On completion of this unit students will have: 1. acquired knowledge of fundamental issues underpinning modern psycholinguistics, including areas such as the structure of the processing system supporting our use of language, the child's acquisition of spoken and written language forms, and the nature of the defecits underlying a variety of language disorders; 2. gained an understanding of the contemporary research, theoretical and applied issues in psycholinguistics and have developed the skills necessary to critically appraise the current literature; 3. gained an appreciation of the value of informed group discussion in evaluating important ideas in psychology and 4. further developed skills in written and oral communication, and the use of current information technologies.

Assessment: Presentation of discussion paper (35%), Essay related to discussion paper topic - 1,500 words (35%), Participation in class discussion (30%).