The Secret Life of Language (LING10001)
Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
Have you ever wondered how language actually works? Or how it can be that a 6 year-old child can know more about their native language than the most sophisticated computers? This subject is a practical introduction to the nature of human language which gives a conceptual framework for discussing language and provides the tools required to analyse and describe all of the world's 6000+ languages. Central areas of linguistics will be covered using data from languages from all over the world, including speech sounds, word structure, sentence structure, meaning, language learning, and language change.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students should have:
- explored the general nature of human language;
- learnt how language can be described and analysed;
- gained a conceptual framework for thinking about and discussing language;
- developed simple analytic skills as applied to language;
- attained a broad overview of academic approaches to the analysis of language;
- develop foundational discipline-specific research skills in analysing and describing languages from around the world;
- become acquainted with the use of learning and research technologies (LMS, library) to solve linguistic tasks;
- engaged in pedagogically led interactions in the classroom around problems and tasks in Linguistics;
- developed an understanding of linguistic, social and cultural diversity in the university and wider community.
Generic skills
At the completion of this subject, students should:
- be able to communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically
- have developed skill in critical thinking and analysis;
- have gained skills in observation and attention to detail;
- have developed skills in thinking in theoretical terms.
Last updated: 14 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 14 March 2025
Assessment
Additional details
- 3 problem-solving assignments (equivalent to 2000 words total) distributed throughout the semester [50%]
- 2-hour exam (equivalent to 2000 words) during the examination period [50%]
Hurdle Requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.
Note: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.
Last updated: 14 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Janet Fletcher Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 35 hours: 2 x 1 hour lecture and a 1 hour tutorial per week. There will be no tutorials in first week of semester. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 24 July 2017 to 22 October 2017 Last self-enrol date 4 August 2017 Census date 31 August 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 22 September 2017 Assessment period ends 17 November 2017 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 14 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation English Language - 200 Point Program Informal specialisation Technology in Language Learning - 200 Point Program Informal specialisation English Language - 200 Point Program Informal specialisation Language Testing - 200 Point Program Informal specialisation Technology in Language Learning - 200 Point Program Major Linguistics and Applied Linguistics Specialisation (formal) Language Testing Informal specialisation Language Testing - 200 Point Program Informal specialisation TESOL - 200 Point Program Minor English Language Studies Specialisation (formal) English Language Specialisation (formal) Technology in Language Learning Informal specialisation Graduate Certificate in Arts - Linguistics and Applied Linguistics Informal specialisation TESOL - 200 Point Program Informal specialisation Graduate Diploma in Arts - Linguistics and Applied Linguistics Specialisation (formal) TESOL Breadth Track Linguistics: English Language Studies Breadth Track Linguistics: Language Structure and Analysis - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Biomedicine
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Science
- Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 14 March 2025