3768 - Graduate Diploma in Linguistics

This program offers an opportunity for students who already have a bachelors degree without a linguistics major to complete an undergraduate major in order to qualify for entry into the honours program in linguistics.

Students completing this course will have: 1. an understanding of diverse aspects of the academic discipline; 2. an understanding of the world view of the field of study; 3. a familiarity with 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. developed sound analytical skills; 7. developed the ability to use relevant technology such as databases, information management systems and search engines effectively.

The course consists of 48 points. Students will normally complete eight 6-point units conforming to the requirement of the linguistics major (below). Students with some background in linguistics may undertake a combination of 6-point and 12-point (level 4) units in consultation with the course coordinator.

A linguistics major must normally include the two core introductory units (6 points each) and at least one unit from each of the four groups listed*, with a minimum of 18 points being completed at level three or level 4.

* Additional units to make up a total of 48 points can be selected from groups 1-4 or the honours electives.

Core introductory units

• LIN1010 The language game: Why do we talk the way we do?
• LIN1020 Describing and analysing language and communication

Group 1: Structure

• LIN2070/LIN3070 Eastern Austronesian languages of Indonesia, East Timor and Oceania
• LIN2090/LIN3090 Syntax: Grammatical structure, typology and universals
• LIN2370/LIN3370 Aboriginal languages of Australia
• LIN2510/LIN3510 Structure of English

Group 2: Sound and meaning

• LIN2110/LIN3110 Phonetics and phonology
• LIN2310/LIN3310 Semantics: Meaning in human languages
• LIN2330/LIN3330 Pragmatics: Strategies for communication
• LIN2570/LIN3570 The analysis of discourse: Texts, narrative and society

Group 3: Language and society

• LIN2080/LIN3080 Language across time
• LIN2190/LIN3190 History and sociolinguistics of English
• LIN2350/LIN3350 Sociolinguistics
• LIN2390/LIN3390 Language and identity
• LIN3030 Issues in language endangerment

Group 4: Applications

• LIN2430/LIN3430 Psycholinguistics and child language acquisition
• LIN2470/LIN3470 Intercultural communication
• LIN2490/LIN3490 Literacies and communication
• LIN2550/LIN3550 Second language acquisition and attrition
• LIN3180 Data Management for linguists
• LIN4040 Researching endangered languages (12 points)
• LIN4050 Issues in language endangerment and language maintenance (12 points)
• LLC2160/LIN3160 Managing intercultural communication

Honours electives

• LIN4720 Special topics in linguistics (12 points)
• LIN4740 Linguistic theory (12 points)

Alternative electives may be approved on an individual basis.

Students who complete the graduate diploma with a credit average, may apply to transfer to a relevant masters program.

After successful completion of 24 points, students may apply to exit the program with a Graduate Certificate.

Graduate Diploma of Linguistics

* Where more than one award is listed, or in the case of double degrees, where more than one award is listed for one or both components of the double degree, the actual award/s conferred may depend on units/majors/streams/specialisations studied, the level of academic merit achieved (eg in the case of 'with honours' programs), or other factors relevant to the individual student's program of study.