Undergraduate Course: Origins and Evolution of Language (Hons) (LASC10031)
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 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | An introduction to the scientific study of the origins and evolution of human language. |
| Course description |
We will review current theories which attempt to explain how and why human language evolved, covering both the biological evolution of the human capacity for language, and cultural evolution of languages themselves. Modern evolutionary linguistics is a highly interdisciplinary field, and we will touch on the basics of evolutionary biology, animal communication and animal cognition, fieldwork on emerging sign languages, and computational models and experimental studies of language evolution pioneered here in Edinburgh, among other topics. No prior knowledge of these areas is assumed.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
Students MUST have passed:
LEL2A: Linguistic Theory and the Structure of English (LASC08017)
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | Students studying on MA Cognitive Science (Humanities) are permitted to take this course without having met the pre-requisite(s). However, it is advisable that students discuss the suitability of the course with their Cohort Lead and the Course Organiser before enrolling. |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Visiting 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
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| Academic year 2026/27, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 0 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
196 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
100 %,
Coursework
0 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Final exam (3 hours) - 100% |
| Feedback |
Each week's reading is accompanied by a formative quiz on Learn, featuring exam-style questions, which provides and opportunity to test your understanding of the readings. Feedback will be provided on your answers each week.
Tutorials involve group discussion of papers tackling core issues discussed in class and which are relevant to assessment - the focus again is on critical evaluation of theory and evidence, and the tutorial format is intended to maximise opportunities for feedback from peers and tutors. |
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Minutes |
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| Main Exam Diet S1 (December) | Origins and Evolution of Language | 180 | |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Speak and write informedly and responsibly about the origins of language
- Know how to keep track of fresh developments in the field, and be able to put such developments in perspective.
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Reading List
| - Fitch, W.T. (2010) The Evolution of Language. Cambridge University Press. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
This course introduces students to evolutionary linguistics, with a particular emphasis on a modern, evidence-based understanding of the origins and evolution of human language. Students discuss and evaluate recent papers in the tutorial groups, and the course assessment involves producing a written essay demonstrating independent reading, synthesis and critical evaluation of literature from the field.
Core skills gained or developed on this course:
Critical thinking; Critical analysis and evaluation; Formulating original arguments and justifying it; Independence; Academic reading skills; Report writing; Written communication; Oral communication (discussion, debating respectfully, influencing). |
| Additional Class Delivery Information |
Teaching Contact Time: 9 weeks out of 11 at 3 hours/week = 27 hours
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| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Kenny Smith
Tel: (0131 6)50 3956
Email: Kenny.Smith@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Kayla Johnson-McCraw
Tel: (0131 6)50 3440
Email: Kayla.Johnson@ed.ac.uk |
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