Monash University Handbook 2010 Postgraduate - Course

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:

• an understanding of diverse aspects of the academic discipline
• an understanding of the world view of the field of study
• a familiarity with the secondary literature in the field of study
• a familiarity with many of the key texts and cultural products pertaining to the field of study
• advanced reading and communication skills, both written and verbal
• developed sound analytical skills
• developed the ability to use relevant technology such as databases, information management systems and search engines effectively.

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 four) 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 four.

* 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 course 3767 Graduate Certificate in Linguistics.

Graduate Diploma of Linguistics