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The Secret Life of Language (LING10001)

Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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As part of the University’s response to COVID-19 and the associated Government restrictions and guidelines, most subjects will continue to be delivered online in Winter and Semester 2.
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.
You’re currently viewing the 2020 version of this subject

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
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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

DescriptionTimingPercentage

3 problem-solving assignments

  • 2000 words (total)
Throughout the semester50%

Exam (equivalent to 2000 words)

  • 2 hours
During the examination period50%
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 periodN/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
    CoordinatorPeter Hurst
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours35 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 commitment170 hours
    Teaching period 3 August 2020 to 1 November 2020
    Last self-enrol date14 August 2020
    Census date21 September 2020
    Last date to withdraw without fail16 October 2020
    Assessment period ends27 November 2020

    Semester 2 contact information

    pthurst@unimelb.edu.au

Time commitment details

170 hours

Last updated: 3 June 2023

Further information

Last updated: 3 June 2023