LING3000

Linguistic Methods and Theory

20 Units 3000 Level Course

Available in 2014

Callaghan Campus Semester 2

This course explores how we can advance our understanding of human language. The basic way we do this is by coming up with new theoretical ideas and then collecting data to test whether these new theoretical ideas can account for the data or not. If they do account for the data, then we test them further against a wider range of data to see how much they can account for. If they don't account for the data, then we have to think of other ideas. This dialogue between data and ideas is central to advancing knowledge. Students will learn and practise scientific methods on how to collect original data, and on how to analyse and test ideas. Students will expand their own communication skills by gaining a deeper understanding of how human language works.

Objectives On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Describe key concepts and principles for linguistic data analysis in the core disciplinary fields.
2. Apply principles for the systematic collection of language data.
3. Apply principles for the ethical collection of original data.
4. Present, discuss, and evaluate analyses of original data.
Content The course explores the relationship between data collection and the testing of theories. Topics include:

1. How to select the kind of data collection exercise that will be appropriate to testing each particular theory.
2. How to satisfy discipline ethical standards.
3. How to ensure that data collected will satisfy basic statistical requirements.
4. Principles of linguistic analysis
Replacing Course(s) N/A
Transition N/A
Industrial Experience 0
Assumed Knowledge LING2000
Modes of Delivery Flexible Delivery / Student Centred Learning
Internal Mode
Teaching Methods Case Study
Lecture
Assessment Items
Case Studies 1 Case Study 30%
Essays / Written Assignments 2 Take-home assignments 40%

1 review of a student peer’s case study draft 10%
Presentations - Individual 1 Presentation of draft of case study 20%
Contact Hours Lecture: for 2 hour(s) per Week for Full Term
Timetables 2014 Course Timetables for LING3000