Course syllabus spring 2013
Course syllabus spring 2013
Title
English III, Linguistics option
Swedish title
English III, Linguistics option
Course code
EN103L
Credits
30 credits
Grading scale
UA / Excellent (A), Very Good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Pass (E) or Fail (U)
Language of instruction
English
Decision-making body
Faculty of Culture and Society
Syllabus approval date
2012-02-24
Syllabus valid from
2012-09-03
Entry requirements
Prerequisite courses for this course are: [EN101E English I (passed) and EN102E English II (passed)] or [EN101A English I (passed) and EN102A English II (passed)]
Level
Basic level
Main field
English
Progression level
G2E
Course contents
English III, Linguistic option, consists of two 7.5 credit modules and a 15 credit research paper.
• Language Evolution and Change (7.5 credits)
• Empirical Methods in Language Analysis (7.5 credits)
• Bachelor Research Paper (15 credits)
Module 1: Language Evolution and Change
In this module we explore the extent to which we can find empirical evidence for how and why the complex system that is human language evolved, and how and why languages constantly change. A particular challenge lies in the question: how does the language faculty come to play in our social and cultural behaviour?
Module 2: Empirical Methods in Language Analysis
This module is concerned with the tools and methods used in language analysis, in particular corpus linguistics and discourse analysis.
Module 3, Bachelor Research Paper, entails independent research into an issue, chosen and formulated in collaboration with the supervisor. The research performed is independent, but the student will receive feedback from a supervisor at various stages during the research process. The course will result in a research paper, defended in an academic seminar.
Learning outcomes
Module 1: Language Evolution and Change (7,5 credits)
In this module we explore the extent to which we can find empirical evidence for how and why the complex system that is human language evolved, and how and why languages constantly change. A particular challenge lies in the question: how does the language faculty come to play in our social and cultural behaviour?
Knowledge and understanding
After finishing module 1, the student will:
- be familiar with recent findings relating to the evolution of language, and
- understand how and why languages change.
Skills and ability
After finishing module 1, the student can account for:
- the converging evidence from cognitive science, primate evolution, and archaeology which allows us to make hypotheses about the origins of human language, and
- the way in which human cognitive faculties drive language change.
Critical skills and approach
After finishing module 1, the student should be able to critically evaluate:
- the human language faculty in relation to social and cultural behaviour, and their own, further readings in the field.
Module 2: Empirical Methods in Language Analysis (7.5 credits)
This module is concerned with the tools and methods used in language analysis, in particular corpus linguistics and discourse analysis.
Knowledge and understanding
After finishing module 2, the student will be familiar with:
- available corpora and software tools for their investigation (online and in-house), including database construction, and
- the foundations of discourse analysis.
Skills and ability
After finishing module 2, the student will be able to:
- create their own small, specialized corpus,
- carry out a corpus based discourse analysis.
Critical skills and approach
After finishing module 2, the student:
- can make informed decisions as to which research method is appropriate for a specific research question,
- can select and analyze data appropriately, and is aware of the advantages – and limitations – of empirical language research.
Module 3: Bachelor Research Paper (15 credits)
The aim of module 3 is to allow the student to focus on a research topic within the field of English Studies, perform an independent, supervised research into the topic, present it in writing, and defend it in an academic seminar.
Knowledge and understanding
After finishing module 3, the student:
- understands and can show knowledge of what independent academic work entails;
- can show knowledge of theories and methods pertaining to the study of language, literature, or culture, and
Skills and ability
After finishing module 3, the student:
- can formulate a research issue in the field of English Studies;
- is able to link the research issue productively to a relevant theory or theories;
- can search, select, evaluate, read, and refer to primary and secondary material/literature/
- can engage with relevant methods and methodological problems;
- can perform a linguistic analysis and draw conclusions from the analysis;
- can present the research in a paper which follows pertinent conventions of presentation and language;
- can, recognising their own competence, finish the research within the agreed time frame;
- can critically and constructively respond to another student’s paper in an academic seminar, and
Critical skills and approach
After finishing module 3, the student:
- can reflect on their knowledge academically
Learning activities
A combination of resources is available, including lectures, seminars, group work, self-study, library research, independent, supervised research, and a formal opposition seminar.
A student who has not finished the bachelor research paper during the course, or has not received a passing grade on the paper at the end of the course cannot be guaranteed continued supervision.
Assessment
Module 1: Language Evolution and Change (7.5 credits)
Module 1 is assessed through a combination of the following:
• Participation in discussions and collaborative in-class activities (50%)
• Critical review of a chapter or article from a selection of specialist books and articles beyond the mandatory course literature (50%)
Re-sits take the form of extended written assignments.
Module 2: Empirical Methods in Language Analysis (7.5 credits)
• Participation in discussions and collaborative in-class activities (50%)
• Research project presented as a Powerpoint (50%)
Re-sits take the form of extended written assignments.
Module 3: Bachelor Research Paper (15 credits)
Module 3 is examined through an independently produced Bachelor Research Paper, which is defended in an academic seminar. The student also has to oppose another student’s paper in a seminar.
The right to re-examination
A student who has failed an exam is given two more opportunities to be re-examined on the same course content. After this, a student also has the right to be examined on the same course content when the course is run the next time. Exams and re-exams take place as specified in the timetable for the course. It is the student’s responsibility to find out when and how exams and re-exams take place, and to sign up for re-exams when that is required.
Course literature and other study material
Module 1: Language Evolution and Change
Deutscher, Guy. 2005. The unfolding of language. London: Arrow House.
Dunbar, Robin. 1996. Grooming, gossip and the evolution of language. London: faber and faber.
Module 2: Empirical Methods in Language Analysis
Baker, Paul. 2006, 2nd edition. Using corpora in discourse analysis. London/New York: Continuum.
Additional material may be introduced in the course, but no more than 100 pages.
Module 3: Bachelor Research Paper
Ramage, John D., John C. Bean and June Johnson. The Allyn and Bacon Guide to Writing. 5th ed. New York: Pearson and Longman.
Graff, Gerald and Cathy Birkenstein. 2010. They Say/I Say - The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing.New York: Ww Norton & Co.
Primary and secondary reading for the research paper is selected in cooperation with the supervisor.
Course evaluation
The course is concluded with an individual course evaluation focusing on the goals of the course. The evaluations are summarized and made available to the students at the completion of the course.