units

ATS2677

Faculty of Arts

18 September 2017 18 April 2024
Monash University

Undergraduate - Unit

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2013 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

print version

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

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LevelUndergraduate
FacultyFaculty of Arts
Organisational UnitLinguistics
OfferedNot offered in 2013
Coordinator(s)Dr Alice Gaby

Notes

Previously coded LIN2370

Synopsis

The size of Australia and its long history of human inhabitation have produced considerable linguistic diversity, although its languages generally share similar phonologies, cognate words, and recurrent patterns of meaning. In its overview of phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics, this unit will examine what structural features can be considered typical of Australian languages, and how/whether these can be related to typical features of Australian cultures. It will also examine the present sociolinguistic status of Australian aboriginal languages, bilingualism and the role of linguistics in language maintenance and revitalization.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit students will:

  1. Understand key features of the phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics of Australian Aboriginal languages and be able to identify such features in a number of different Aboriginal languages.
  2. Be aware of some of the key theoretical issues regarding the structure of Aboriginal languages.
  3. Understand relevant sociolinguistic issues including language status, bilingualism and the role of linguistics in language maintenance and revival and the implication of these for language education and planning.

More generally students are expected to develop their abilities to:

  1. Read critically.
  2. Use analytic and interpretive skills in dealing with language data.
  3. Assess evidence supporting various theories and thereby evaluate these theories.
  4. Present logical, coherent arguments both orally and in writing.

Assessment

Written work (3600 words): 80%
Class exercises and participation: 20%

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Alice Gaby

Contact hours

2 hours (1 x 2 hour seminar) per week

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Linguistics
Australian Indigenous studies

Prerequisites

A first year sequence in Linguistics.

Prohibitions

ATS3677