Master in Linguistics in Language Endangerment Studies

Course code: 3797 ~ Course abbreviation: MLLES ~ Total credit points required: 72 ~ 1.5 years full-time, 3 years part-time ~ Managing faculty: Arts

Study mode and course location

On-campus (Clayton)

Off-campus (Clayton)

Multimode (Clayton)

Course description

The course offers professional development for a wide range of language maintenance practitioners. It is designed for those who are involved in, or aspire to become involved in, work with minority endangered language groups. Training is provided in the specialist skills needed to document and maintain endangered languages both in homeland and in diaspora or immigrant community settings.

Course objectives

Students successfully completing this course will have: 1. a sound knowledge of diverse aspects of the academic discipline; 2. an understanding of the world view of the field of study; 3. a critical appreciation of the secondary literature in the field of study; 4. a familiarity with many of the key texts and cultural products pertaining to the field of study; 5. advanced reading and communication skills, both written and verbal; 6. advanced analytical skills; 7. a grasp of research methodology and ethics, and an ability to undertake a small, independent research project in one of the disciplines represented in the program.

Minimum pass grade

To graduate with the Masters, students must gain a credit (60 C) or above in core units and a minimum credit average overall.

Course structure

The course consists of 4 compulsory core units at level 4 (36 points) and level 5 (24 points), and an elective at fourth or level 5 (12 points). Students take the group 1 core unit (12 points) and one group 2 core unit (12 points), followed by one group 2 core unit (12 points) and a group 3 elective (12 points), followed by the group 4 core research project. Students who are exempted from any of the core units will select additional electives from group 3.

Course requirements

Group 1 core unit (12 points)

ALM4110 General linguistics

Group 2 core units (12 points)

LIN4040 Researching endangered languages
LIN4050 Issues in language endangerment and language maintenance

Group 3 electives (12 points)

ALM4140 Special topic in applied linguistics
ALM4250/ALM5250 Second language acquisition
ALM5010 Topics in linguistics
ALM5230 Bilingualism
ALM5270 Literacy
or another unit approved by the co-ordinator

Group 4 core unit (24 points)

ALM5510 Language maintenance in practice

Exit points

Students who have completed 24 points of the Master in Linguistics in Language Endangerment Studies may apply to exit with a Graduate Certificate in Linguistics in Language Endangerment Studies. Students who have completed 48 points of the Master in Linguistics in Language Endangerment Studies may apply to exit with a Postgraduate Diploma in Linguistics in Language Endangerment Studies.

Course coordinator

Dr Margaret Florey