Linguistic Field Methods (LING40006)
HonoursPoints: 25On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject instructs students on how to analyse an unknown language, working with a native speaker, as a class team. You will learn the main techniques for conducting such an analysis, ranging from phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics, applying them in consultation sessions with an actual speaker. These skills, taught through detailed work on the language chosen, generalise to those needed to analyse any unknown language on its own terms. Ethical issues, field research techniques, goals of linguistic documentation, and relevant software and Internet support, will also be covered through special workshops held during the semester. A different language is chosen each year: languages studied in the past have included Khmer, Vietnamese, Bugis (Sulawesi, Indonesia), Sasak (Lombok, Indonesia), Lau (Solomon Islands), Bisayan (Philippines), Acehnese (Aceh, Indonesia), Golin (PNG) and Ganalbingu (Australia).
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students should:
- have learnt the main techniques for analysing an unknown language on its own terms, from primary data;
- be acquainted with relevant software packages to support fieldwork research;
- be familiar with practical, personal and ethical issues of linguistic fieldwork.
Generic skills
At the completion of this subject, students should:
- have developed their research ability by working out the logic and structure of unknown systems;
- have developed an understanding of social, ethical and cultural contexts through working with language speakers from quite different cultural backgrounds;
- have developed their teamwork abilities through working with other researchers.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| LING20005 | Phonetics | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| LING20006 | Syntax | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
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: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
- One data-based analytical assignment totalling 2000 words due throughout the semester [20%]
- A 4000 word analysis of a selected area of the language's grammar [40%] (due at the end of the semester)
- A presentation on the project topic, equivalent to 2000 words, during semester [20%]
- Team contribution to the running of the research project such as maintaining the communal corpus, illustrating key aspects of the research, maintaining the lexical database, or other tasks facilitating the research by the whole group, equivalent to 2000 words, ongoing through the semester [20%]
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: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Brett Baker Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 2 x 2 hour seminars per week Total time commitment 340 hours Teaching period 29 July 2019 to 27 October 2019 Last self-enrol date 9 August 2019 Census date 31 August 2019 Last date to withdraw without fail 27 September 2019 Assessment period ends 22 November 2019 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
340 hours
Additional delivery details
If not admitted to Honours, the Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced), or the Graduate Certificate in Arts (Advanced) in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics, students must contact the subject coordinator prior to enrolling in this subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
A set of readings dealing with specific issues of fieldwork (both linguistic, and anthropological fieldwork more generally) and documentary linguistics will be made available. According to the language selected for study, a series of orienting articles and/or books on related languages will be placed on reserve.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Specialisation (formal) Linguistics and Applied Linguistics Specialisation (formal) Linguistics and Applied Linguistics Specialisation (formal) Linguistics and Applied Linguistics Specialisation (formal) Linguistics and Applied Linguistics Informal specialisation PD-ARTS Linguistics and Applied Linguistics Informal specialisation Linguistics and Applied Linguistics - 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.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 3 November 2022