The Secret Life of Language (LING10001)

Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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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 be able to:

  • Explore the general nature of human language
  • Learn how language can be described and analysed
  • Gain a conceptual framework for thinking about and discussing language
  • Developed simple analytic skills as applied to language
  • Attain 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 acquaint with the use of learning and research technologies (LMS, library) to solve linguistic tasks
  • Engage in pedagogically led interactions in the classroom around problems and tasks in Linguistics
  • Develop 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

DescriptionTimingPercentage

3 problem-solving assignments

  • 2000 words (total)
Throughout the semester50%

Exam (equivalent to 2000 words)

  • 2 hours
During the examination period50%
Hurdle requirement: 1. Attendance hurdle requirement: This subject has a minimum requirement of 80% attendance at tutorials, seminars, or workshops. There is an expectation that students attend lectures. Throughout the teaching periodN/A
Hurdle requirement: 2. Late Penalty and Assessment hurdle requirement: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at five per cent (5%) of the possible marks available for the assessment task per day or part thereof. All pieces of assessment must be submitted to pass the subject. Each submitted assessment must be complete, constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task and will not be accepted after 10 University business days from the original assessment due date without written approval. Throughout the semesterN/A

Last updated: 14 March 2025

Dates & times

  • Semester 2
    CoordinatorJonathon Lum
    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 period22 July 2024 to 20 October 2024
    Last self-enrol date 2 August 2024
    Census date 2 September 2024
    Last date to withdraw without fail20 September 2024
    Assessment period ends15 November 2024

    Semester 2 contact information

    jonathon.lum@unimelb.edu.au

     

Time commitment details

170 hours

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
       -  Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
     

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Last updated: 14 March 2025

Further information

Last updated: 14 March 2025