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The Secret Life of Language (LING10001)
Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
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: 3 June 2023
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: 3 June 2023
Assessment
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
3 problem-solving assignments
| Throughout the semester | 50% |
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. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Additional details
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 June 2023
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Coordinator Peter Hurst 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 3 August 2020 to 1 November 2020 Last self-enrol date 14 August 2020 Census date 21 September 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 16 October 2020 Assessment period ends 27 November 2020 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 3 June 2023
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
An Introduction to Language (Australian edition) (Fromkin et al (eds)) Latest edition
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Minor English Language Studies Major Linguistics and Applied Linguistics Informal specialisation Language Testing - 200 Point Program Informal specialisation Technology in Language Learning - 200 Point Program Informal specialisation English Language - 200 Point Program Informal specialisation TESOL - 200 Point Program 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 Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- 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.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 3 June 2023