Postgraduate Course: Universals of Language MSc (LASC11139)
Course Outline
| School | School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course provides an overview of current explanations for language universals, with a focus on new empirical approaches to understanding how language structure might be shaped by the human cognitive system. |
| Course description |
This course provides an overview of current explanations for language universals, with a focus on new empirical approaches to understanding how language structure might be shaped by the human cognitive system. We will consider universals of language structure in phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics. In each domain we will discuss in detail recent empirical advances and their implications for the field.
The course is aimed at students with a background in linguistics and a broader interest in cognitive science, language acquisition, language variation and change, and / or the evolution of language.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2025/26, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: 0 |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 11,
Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 22,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
163 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Coursework (30%): 1000 word essay
Project (70%): 3500 word project report |
| Feedback |
Feedback will be given on coursework (research proposal essay) at the halfway point in the semester. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- demonstrate critical understanding of major debates about language universals
- demonstrate knowledge of empirical methods used to study the psychological underpinnings of language universals
- critically identify outstanding questions, problems, or issues in research on language universals
- work with others to offer original solutions to outstanding questions in the research on typology
- communicate ideas about specialised research questions in writing
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | linguistics,cognitive science,developmental,typology |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Jennifer Culbertson
Tel: (0131 6)51 5510
Email: Jennifer.Culbertson@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Sasha Wood
Tel:
Email: swood310@ed.ac.uk |
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