LIN1020 - Describing and Analysing Language and Communication

Leader: D Anna Margetts and Dr Simon Musgrave

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2007 (Day)
Clayton Second semester 2007 (Off-campus)

Synopsis

This unit is complementary to LIN1010 and forms the second part of a first year sequence in the study of linguistics. LIN1010 and LIN1020 may be studied in any order. This unit provides students with an introduction to theoretical and descriptive frameworks adopted in the analysis of language. The theoretical and descriptive frameworks presented in this unit focus on the description of speech sounds and their organisation in linguistic systems; words and sentences and their constituents, sentence structures and the analysis of word, sentence and utterance meaning.

Objectives

LIN1020 focuses on techniques for different levels of language analysis and develops some of the applications of these powerful theoretical tools. Upon successful completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of what linguistics is and what linguists do.
2. Apply techniques from different areas of language analysis (sound systems, word and sentence structure and meaning, cross-cultural communication, ...).
3. Methodically collect and analyse linguistic data and to present findings in a clear and replicable way.
4. Display insights both into the language(s) one speaks and into languages not previously encountered.

Assessment

Three short assignments (800 words each): 45%
Class participation/on-line discussion/distance education discussion group: 15%
Exam (1.5 hours equivalent to 2000 words - problem solving based examination): 40%

Contact hours

3 hours (2 x 1 hour lectures and 1 x 1 hour tutorial) per week