ENG4603 - How Language Works

Objectives:

Assessment tasks are designed to enable students to demonstrate the Learning and Employability outcomes for the relevant level of study. Level Learning Outcomes are embedded in the assessment task(s) at that level. This enables a more integrated view of overall student performance at each level.

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; use of the OED.

During both semesters students will be encouraged to audit and reflect on their employability skills and career plans, in preparation for finding a placement the following year. They will reflect on how the academic skills exercised in the first two elements of assessment are relevant to their employability. At the end of the module, after completing the Integrated Assessment for their programme, they will engage in a Professional Challenge Project or work placement.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Weekly seminars
Hours: 50
Intended Group Size: 15

Professional Challenge Project / Work Placement Preparation
Hours: 10
Intended Group Size: 15

Professional Challenge Project or Work Placement
Hours: 20 (minimum)
Intended Group Size: 1

Guided independent study
Hours: 220

Further details relating to assessment
Negotiated Assessment: the negotiated assessment task will be to create an artefact which presents and compares features of three different languages.

Essay: the task for the essay will be to explain and illustrate some basic concepts in phonology and morphology, and also demonstrate the ability to retrieve and summarise relevant information from the OED.

Online Quizzes: Five pass / fail online quizzes are used specifically to ensure that students develop an appropriate level of competence in applying learning outcomes K1 and K3 to recognition of basic linguistic features (eg distinguishing and identifying speech sounds, word classes, phrase types, clause elements, etc). The quizzes are online and students can make as many attempts as they need to achieve the pass level.

Early Assessment: there will be a formal assessment in all four Level 4 modules in the programme between Weeks 4 and 7 in Semester 1, preceded by appropriate guidance and practice exercises. In ENG4603 early assessment will be in the form of the Online Quizzes, which are made available from Week 4.

Formal assessment will be preceded in each module by some formative assessment exercises (eg analysis, referencing exercise, brief report on a research task) and an ‘assessment unpacking’ session.

Integrated Assessment: The Integrated Assessment will normally be a group project which takes place in the designated two-week Integrated Assessment period after Easter Vacation. Students will collaborate in designing and creating a 20-minute podcast which creatively synthesises and presents some of the content of ENG4603 and ENG4613 in a format appropriate to the platform.

This module will culminate in a two-week Professional Challenge Project or a two-week work placement. Students will have the chance to opt which path they want to take during the course of the module. Guidance regarding the options will be included in the Module Handbook and supported by briefings at the beginning of Semester 2.

A pass in the Professional Challenge Project will be achieved through participation in key tasks throughout the project. A pass in the work placement will include input from the employer. During the Professional Challenge Project or Placement, students will complete a Reflective Statement outlining their learning from the project /placement.

Professional Challenge Project / Work Placement must be passed in line with University regulations.

Assessment:

001 Negotiated assessment; 1,500 word equiv.; end of semester 1 30%
002 Essay; 2,500 words; mid-semester 2 50%
003 Online quizzes; pass/fail; throughout semester 1 & 2 0%
004 Integrated assessment; 20 min podcast; end of semester 2 20%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Richard Storer
Level - 4
Credit Value - 30
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 4YL

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