PL1GML-Grammar and Meaning

Module Provider: Clinical Language Sciences
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Co-requisites: All other BSc Language Science and Psychology Part 1 modules
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2019/0

Email: d.o.fryer@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
£p£This module aims to introduce basic theoretical concepts in the scientific study of language and its acquisition by monolingual and bilingual populations. Content includes morphology and syntax, semantics, pragmatics, socio-linguistics and language processing. £/p£

Aims:

This module introduces students to basic theoretical concepts in linguistics, including grammar (morphology and syntax), socio-linguistics, semantics and pragmatics. It will introduce students to linguistic concepts that are necessary for their understanding of how language can be described, how its use may vary, how it is acquired (including bilingual acquisition) and how it can be impaired. Theoretical concepts will be applied to data from adults and children with typical and atypical language development. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

1. Describe the main morphological, syntactic, semantic and pragmatic properties of English sentences as well as how these are acquired by children (monolingual/bilingual)


2. Outline how language varies in its use on the basis of social, cultural and/or individual factors 


3. Apply relevant concepts, notation and terminology in the description, analysis and interpretation of language dat


4. Broadly distinguish between typical and atypical/impaired patterns of language data 

Additional outcomes:
The module also aims to encourage the development of academic writing abilities and to reinforce what is learned in large lecture groups through involvement in small-group seminars. Students will also develop their bibliographic and IT skills by use of indicated resources.

Outline content:

Language and symbol systems; the relevance of linguistics, its concepts and methods for speech and language therapy; language use; word (syntactic) categories; syntactic category tests and their application to typical and atypical language; morphology: inflection vs. derivation; thematic roles; argument structure; arguments vs. adjuncts; verbs; phrase structure and clinical applications; lexical and sentence meaning; lexical relations; pragmatics; discourse and conversation; social dimension of language; the role of family, gender.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Lectures with back-up seminar groups based on prepared practical work and reading and involving structured group discussion.

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Set exercises: Continuous assessment (test) set each fortnight on Blackboard.

Formative assessment methods:

Work which provides opportunities to improve performance (e.g. through feedback provided) but which does not necessarily always contribute towards the overall module mark

Penalties for late submission:

Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. Please refer to page 5 of the Postgraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspx

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding:
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 8 April 2019