FOUNDATIONS OF LANGUAGE

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Overview

What is language? Where did it come from, how do we learn it, and what do we use it for? This subject introduces students to a range of basic topics in the study of language: how to define language, the basic structure of language, language in the brain, how to … For more content click the Read more button below. This is a level 1 subject and includes live sessions with the expectation of student attendance and participation.

What is language? Where did it come from, how do we learn it, and what do we use it for? This subject introduces students to a range of basic topics in the study of language: how to define language, the basic structure of language, language in the brain, how to distinguish languages from dialects, how language might have evolved, how children and adults acquire language, how and why languages change, and how language conveys social and cultural meaning, and different modalities of language (speech and sign).

This is a level 1 subject and includes live sessions with the expectation of student attendance and participation.

Portfolio

Office of the Provost

School

Subject coordinator

James Walker

Subject type

Undergraduate

Year level

Year Level 1 - UG

AQF level

Level 5 - Diploma

Available as elective

Yes

Available to study abroad / exchange students

Yes

Capstone subject
Capstones provide students with a way of integrating and applying knowledge and skills gained throughout their course.

Academic progress review - Schedule A subject

Subject instances

To view instance specific details which include - Assessments, Class requirements and Subject instance coordinators - please select your preferred instance via the drop-down menu at the top right-hand side of this page.

Learning resources

Prescribed - Book - For the Love of Language: An Introduction to Linguistics

Career ready

Work based learning (placement):No

Graduate capabilities

COMMUNICATION - Communicating and Influencing

COMMUNICATION - Cultural Intelligence and Global Perspective

COMMUNICATION - Digital Capability

DISCIPLINE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Creativity and Innovation

INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Research and Evidence-Based Inquiry

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL - Ethical and Social Responsibility

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL - Leadership and Teamwork

Subject intended learning outcomes

On successful completion you will be able to:

Identify important linguistic features in everyday language use.

Describe linguistic behaviour in a variety of interactional contexts.

Analyse linguistic resources to find information about a language.

Synthesise linguistic observations in an appropriate academic style.

Learning activities

Online exercises, assignments, tutorial discussions.

Handbook