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2016/17 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

LING3250 The Life Cycle of Languages

20 creditsClass Size: 18

Module manager: Diane Nelson
Email: d.c.nelson@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2016/17

Pre-requisite qualifications

ENGL1020 English Structure and Style
OR
ENGL1030 Foundations of Language Study
OR
ENGL1021 Analysing English
OR
LING1070 Linguistics 1
OR
MODL1060 Language Structure and Sound

This module is mutually exclusive with

LING2360

The Life Cycle of Languages

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module introduces students to the major issues concerning language origins, diversity, endangerment and death. Topics covered include: language origins and evolution; biological models of evolution and biodiversity as they apply to languages; linguistic diversity; language and population genetics; social, historical and political factors leading to language endangerment and death; and language documentation and revitalisation.

Objectives

This module aims to:

(1) Introduce major issues concerning language origins, diversity, endangerment and death.
(2) Develop understanding of biological theories of evolution and biodiversity as they apply to linguistics
(3) Develop critical awareness of the major causes of language endangerment and death within a historical and political context
(4) Develop independent research and analytical skills through the completion of a Threatened Language Profile and an assessed essay.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:

1. demonstrate a coherent and detailed understanding of the terminology, concepts, and information used in the study of language origins, diversity, endangerment and revitalisation
2. read and show critical awareness of the literature in scientific journals
3. present a structured and coherent argument (using detailed linguistic and critical terminology) supported by information collected from different sources, which has been synthesised into a coherent and cohesive whole, referenced appropriately
4. effectively communicate information, arguments and analysis in a variety of forms
5. understand the interdisciplinary nature of the study of language origins, linguistic diversity and language endangerment and revitalisation
6. demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between theory and evidence in the study of language origins, linguistic diversity and language endangerment, and the importance of a theory's explanatory power
7. demonstrate an understanding of the competitive nature of opposing theories, and to be able to assess the contribution of evidence to conflicting claims

Syllabus

Where did language come from, how did languages diversify, and why do languages become endangered and extinct?

Language originated in the human species tens or hundreds of thousands of years ago; languages spread across the globe, evolving into families; and now, the world's languages are dying out at the alarming rate of one every two weeks. This module takes a biological and social approach to the life cycle of languages, seeking answers to questions such as:

- How, when and why did humans evolve the capacity for language?
- How did languages spread and diversify throughout the world into the language groups we know today?
- Is it appropriate to apply Darwin's theory of natural selection to languages? What are the parallels between linguistic diversity and biodiversity?
- What are the factors which are currently causing the premature death of nearly half of the world's languages? What is the scale of the problem, and what is lost when a language dies?
- What can linguists do to understand the problem, raise public awareness and help develop solutions?

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	17	1.00	17.00
Practical	3	1.00	3.00
Private study hours			180.00
Total Contact hours			20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

- 70 hours: Background reading
- 20 hours: Research for practical report
- 60 hours: Research and writing for assessed essay
- 30 hours: Preparation for exam.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

(1) A 500-word unassessed Threatened Language Profile will be assigned before Easter Break
(2) Students will receive feedback on the Threatened Language Profiles after the Easter break
(3) Informal feedback will be given to groups and individuals during the three in-class practical sessions
(4) Feedback on essays will be returned before the exam.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	2,500 words	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr 00 mins	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 20/04/2016

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