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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2024/2025

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences : Language Sciences

Undergraduate Course: Methods in Theoretical Linguistics (LASC10109)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryIn this course you will become familiar with the core techniques used by theoretical linguists to build theories, design hypothesis-driven studies to test those theories, and disseminate your findings.
Course description This course helps you to develop a practical understanding of how to conduct research in theoretical linguistics. Topics to be covered include:
- Objects of study and large-scale research goals in theoretical linguistics;
- What is a linguistic theory? How do hypotheses relate to theories?
- Types of argument in theoretical linguistics;
- Types of evidence, and the relationship between theory and data;
- How to produce and disseminate theoretical research, and how to review theoretical work.
The course is designed to help you identify your own research question in theoretical linguistics, and conduct research to address your research question.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Students MUST have passed: LEL2A: Linguistic Theory and the Structure of English (LASC08017)
It is RECOMMENDED that students have passed LEL2D: Cross-linguistic Variation: Limits and Theories (LASC08020)
Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesVisiting students should have completed at least 3 Linguistics/Language Sciences courses at grade B or above. We will only consider University/College level courses.
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2024/25, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  16
Course Start Semester 2
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Lecture Hours 27, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 169 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Peer review 10% (500 words)
Abstract 30% (750 words)
Final assignment 60% (2500 words)
Feedback Students will be provided with in-class briefings before the abstract and peer review assignments are due. They will be offered one-to-one or small group briefings for their research reports (depending on the course enrolment numbers).
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the role of theory in linguistic research
  2. Derive predictions from established theories
  3. Develop, test, and reformulate hypotheses
  4. Identify and evaluate appropriate data sources for testing empirical hypotheses
  5. Develop skills in the presentation of structured theoretical arguments
Reading List
None
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills By taking the course, students will develop skills in:
- critical thinking
- structured argumentation
- hypothesis formulation
- hypothesis testing
KeywordsNot entered
Contacts
Course organiserDr Robert Truswell
Tel: (0131 6)51 5511
Email: Rob.Truswell@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Susan Hermiston
Tel: (0131 6)50 3440
Email: Susan.Hermiston@ed.ac.uk
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