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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2017/2018

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences : Lifelong Learning (PPL)

Undergraduate Course: Introduction to Linguistics (LLLI07027)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences CollegeCollege of Humanities and Social Science
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 7 (Year 1 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryLinguistics is a broad topic, with connections to psychology, philosophy and cognitive science. This course will provide an overview of linguistic analysis, ranging from the study of human speech sounds to the structure and meaning of sentences. We'll also examine how our language system is acquired and what makes it different from the communication systems of animals.

THIS IS A CREDIT COURSE OFFERED BY THE CENTRE FOR OPEN LEARNING (COL); ONLY STUDENTS REGISTERED WITH COL SHOULD BE ENROLLED.
Course description The course will begin with an introduction to the academic study of language and a series of classes introducing students to the various theoretical ways in which we can approach language. This will include topics such as: phonetics; phonology; morphology; syntax; semantics, and; pragmatics. We will then move to broader topics that will utilise the terms and ideas that have been introduced, including language variation, acquisition and evolution. The course will finish with a consideration of the role language plays in making us human.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Not being delivered
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts of linguistics;
  2. critically evaluate language data
  3. understand how the different aspects of language interact
  4. consider everyday language use from a critical perspective
  5. articulate the ideas behind both sides of some of the major debates within the field (e.g., nativism vs usage-based theories)
Reading List
Indicative reading list

Required:

O'Grady, W., Dobrovolsky, M., & Katamba, F. 1996. Contemporary linguistics: An introduction. 3rd ed. London: Longman.

Pinker, S. 1994. The language instinct: The new science of language and mind. New York: William Morrow.

Supplementary:

Fromkin, V., Rodman, R., & Hyams, N. 2003. An introduction to language. 7th ed. Australia: Thomson/Wadsworth.

Chapters and articles available through DiscoverEd will be assigned on a weekly basis.

Web sources

Language Log (various), 2003-. Available at: «http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/» [Accessed 1 Mar 2016]
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills By the end of the course students should have strengthened their skills in critical analysis and participation in group discussion.
Keywordslinguistics,grammar,phonology,morphology,syntax,semantics,pragmatics
Contacts
Course organiserMr James Mooney
Tel: (0131 6)50 3077
Email:
Course secretaryMr David Lonergan
Tel: (0131 6)51 4832
Email:
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