2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

MODL1060 Language: Structure and Sound

20 creditsClass Size: 120

Module manager: Dr Leendert Plug
Email: l.plug@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Module replaces

LING1070 Linguistics 1

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module introduces students to the scientific study of language structure and speech sounds. It covers core concepts in linguistics and phonetics, focusing on how speech sounds are produced (phonetics) and function as part of the sound systems of languages (phonology), on the internal structure of words (morphology) and on the internal structure of sentences (syntax). Students will be confronted with data from a wide range of languages and learn to analyse structural aspects of the languages' grammars and physical aspects of their sounds. Students will gain insights into how language and speech work, and how language and speech patterns vary across the world’s languages. Having completed this module, students can go on to take more advanced modules in linguistics and phonetics.

Objectives

This module aims to:
(1) introduce students to linguistics as a scientific discipline
(2) introduce core concepts in the study of language grammars and speech sounds
(3) familiarise students with the aims and methods of phonetics, phonology, morphology and syntax
(4) develop students' awareness of cross-linguistic variation
(5) develop students' analysis skills through the practical analysis of data from a variety of languages
(6) develop students' communication and research skills through coursework assignments

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to demonstrate
(1) an understanding of the aims and scope of linguistics as a scientific discipline
(2) an understanding of core concepts in the study of language grammars and speech sounds
(3) an understanding of the aims and methods of phonetics, phonology, morphology and syntax
(4) an awareness of cross-linguistic variation and its theoretical implications
(5) basic linguistic and phonetic analysis skills

Syllabus

Following an introduction to general characteristics of human language and to the aims of linguistic theory and analysis, blocks of lectures and seminars are devoted to the morphological and syntactic structure of languages, and to the physical description of speech sounds and their place in the phonologies of languages. Seminars revolve around the discussion of practical analysis exercises.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	20	1.00	20.00
Seminar	9	1.00	9.00
Independent online learning hours			30.00
Private study hours			141.00
Total Contact hours			29.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Independent online learning
average 3 hrs per week self-study using the VLE 3x10 = 30

Private study
average 2.5 hrs reading per lecture 2.5x20 = 50
average 3 hrs preparation per seminar 3x9 = 27
19 hrs preparation for assessed essay = 19
45 hrs revision for written examination = 45
= 141

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Seminars will involve formative monitoring of students’ understanding of the core module content, as well as their use of the self-study materials developed for the module. Lectures will allow students to raise and lecturers to address areas of concern, in particular in relation to the assessment components.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	1,000 words	30.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		30.00

Non-submission of coursework will result in an automatic fail on the module.

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr 00 mins	70.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		70.00

Non-completion of the exam will result in an automatic fail on the module.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 26/04/2017

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