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

Postgraduate Course: Universals of Language MSc (LASC11139)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThis 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.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2024/25, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Quota:  0
Course Start Semester 1
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 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Coursework (33%): 1000 word essay

Project (67%): 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:
  1. demonstrate critical understanding of major debates about language universals
  2. demonstrate knowledge of empirical methods used to study the psychological underpinnings of language universals
  3. critically identify outstanding questions, problems, or issues in research on language universals
  4. work with others to offer original solutions to outstanding questions in the research on typology
  5. communicate ideas about specialised research questions in writing
Reading List
None
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
Keywordslinguistics,cognitive science,developmental,typology
Contacts
Course organiserDr Jennifer Culbertson
Tel: (0131 6)51 5510
Email: Jennifer.Culbertson@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Toni Noble
Tel: (0131 6)50 2692
Email: Toni.noble@ed.ac.uk
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