Undergraduate Course: Introduction to Linguistics (LLLI07027)
Course Outline
| School | Centre for Open Learning |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 7 (Year 1 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | Linguistics is a broad topic, with connections to psychology, philosophy and cognitive science. This course will provide an overview of linguistic analysis, ranging from the study of human speech sounds to the structure and meaning of sentences. We'll also examine how our language system is acquired and what makes it different from the communication systems of animals.
THIS IS A CREDIT COURSE OFFERED BY THE CENTRE FOR OPEN LEARNING (COL); ONLY STUDENTS REGISTERED WITH COL SHOULD BE ENROLLED. |
| Course description |
The course will begin with an introduction to the academic study of language and a series of classes introducing students to the various theoretical ways in which we can approach language. This will include topics such as: phonetics; phonology; morphology; syntax; semantics, and; pragmatics. We will then move to broader topics that will utilise the terms and ideas that have been introduced, including language variation, acquisition and evolution. The course will finish with a consideration of the role language plays in making us human.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts of linguistics;
- critically evaluate language data
- understand how the different aspects of language interact
- consider everyday language use from a critical perspective
- articulate the ideas behind both sides of some of the major debates within the field (e.g., nativism vs usage-based theories)
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Reading List
Indicative reading list
Required:
O'Grady, W., Dobrovolsky, M., & Katamba, F. 1996. Contemporary linguistics: An introduction. 3rd ed. London: Longman.
Pinker, S. 1994. The language instinct: The new science of language and mind. New York: William Morrow.
Supplementary:
Fromkin, V., Rodman, R., & Hyams, N. 2003. An introduction to language. 7th ed. Australia: Thomson/Wadsworth.
Chapters and articles available through DiscoverEd will be assigned on a weekly basis.
Web sources
Language Log (various), 2003-. Available at: «http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/» [Accessed 1 Mar 2016]
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
By the end of the course students should have strengthened their skills in critical analysis and participation in group discussion. |
| Keywords | linguistics,grammar,phonology,morphology,syntax,semantics,pragmatics |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Mr James Mooney
Tel: (0131 6)50 3077
Email: james.mooney@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mr David Lonergan
Tel: (0131 6)51 4832
Email: David.Lonergan@ed.ac.uk |
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