ENG4602 - Language: Research and Analysis 1

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Demonstrate awareness of the different domains of linguistic study and typical problems addressed by linguistics.
Analyse sentences in English using a range of grammatical concepts. Distinguish the different phonemes used in English.
Research the formation and use of English words using the online OED and other appropriate sources.

Content:

Students begin this module by exploring and reflecting on the range of different approaches to language which linguistics encompasses, and undertaking some basic exercises in typology using a database of different languages from around the world. They then go on to gain confidence in learning and applying a range of basic skills and concepts essential for the analysis of written and spoken language, including recognition and notation of phonemes used in English; the basic building blocks of sentences, from morphemes to phrases, clauses, and sentences; use of the OED.

Learning and Teaching Information:

The main form of teaching session will be the seminar, where concepts and skills will be introduced by the lecturer and learned through practical application - specific tasks, problem-solving, discussion and collaborative close reading of texts, with regular provision of formative feedback on those activities (including through Directed Activities - see below). There will be two two-hour seminars each week. Additional resources and support for guided independent study will be provided via Moodle and through availability of weekly staff drop-in times for advice, clarification, discussion of assignment plans, etc. Learning of phonemes will include exercises in transcribing from audio resources. Syntax will be learned through introduction of key concepts at each level (ie morphology, word classes, finite and non-finite verb forms, phrases esp. English noun phrase structure, clause analysis, and complex sentence structure). Working understanding and ability to apply these terms will be developed through analysis of sentences from a range of sources, some purpose-written and some from published sources with more irregular features (eg lines of Shakespeare); and also through exercises involving analysis of sentence structure in other languages.

Seminars
Hours: 40
Intended Group Size: 15

Guided independent study
Hours: 160

Further details relating to assessment
Directed activities: these consist of weekly tasks that must be completed and submitted for inspection at timetabled sessions each week. The assessment will be assessed on a pass/fail basis with a pass requiring at least 75% of all weekly tasks to be completed successfully. A pass will lead to the full award of 10% towards the final module mark. A fail in directed activities will contribute 0% to the final mark. Directed Activities do not have to be passed to gain credit for the module.

Formative assessment is built into the multiple-attempt format of the quizzes. For the essay, Directed Task and seminar exercises will be used to help students prepare for and practise fulfilling the requirements of the task.

Assessment:

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Richard Storer
Level - 4
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 4S1

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