ML1IL-Introduction to Linguistics

Module Provider: Languages and Cultures
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded: IT1IL Introduction to Linguistics
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Prof Federico Faloppa
Email: f.faloppa@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
This module aims to familiarise students with principles in general linguistics, and to give students an overall picture of what a language is, how it works, and what its main structures are, with a particular focus on French, German, Italian and Spanish. It will also provide useful meta-linguistic competence which can be applied to the study of any other language.

Aims:

This module aims to:  

• investigate the origin, development, and characteristics of human language; 


• introduce students to language typology and language ‘families’; 


• discuss language endangerment from an ecolinguistic perspective; 


• provide students with an overview of how the human brain process language (neurolinguistics); 


• approaching language acquisition (psycholinguistics), with a focus on bilingualism and multilingualism in childhood; 


• look at non-verbal communication from an intercultural perspective; 


• provide students with a general awareness of linguistic structures and variants; 


• explore modern European languages, covering phonological, morphological, syntactical, semantic and pragmatic aspects. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of this module it is expected that all students: 

• will better understand what language is, and how human beings perform it; 


• will be able to approach modern European languages from a descriptive and scientific viewpoint; 


• will acquire methods and tools for approaching any other language from a descriptive and structural viewpoint; 


• will develop meta-linguistic awareness (useful forlearning and approaching languages in general); 


• will be able to develop research and writing skills. 

Additional outcomes:
The module also encourages students to:
- develop a meta-linguistic awareness (useful for learning and approaching languages in general)
- develop research and writing skills (useful in preparation for the dissertation)
- develop their oral presentation and discussion skills and their effectiveness in group situations
- improve their grasp of foreign languages, their structures and varieties
- develop their IT skills by conducting OPAC and other web searches for material relevant to the module, and by being required to submit word-processed projects
- develop their problem-solving abilities (by doing specific exercises and class tests)
- make good use of appropriate reference materials (in preparation for Part 2 modules)

Outline content:

Lessons will be devoted to exploring elements of linguistic anthropology, semiotics, language typology, neurolinguistics, psycholinguistics, non-verbal communication, phonetics, morphology, syntax, semantics and pragmatics. Students will be required to read and comment on articles and book chapters, discuss a given topic in an essay format, do exercises in class, apply contrastive analysis (by comparing English, French, German, Italian and Spanish structures), and sit a class test at the endof the module. Students will also be expected to contribute to class discussion and debates by focusing on specific aspects and by presenting their findings via in guided seminars. 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module will be taught through a combination of formal lectures, seminars, and practical sessions (exercises), for which students will carry out preparatory reading. Seminars will be delivered in a structured group discussion.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	10	10
Seminars	5	5
Guided independent study:	80	80	10
Total hours by term	95	95	10
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	40
Oral assessment and presentation	20
Class test administered by School	40

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Students will be asked to write a 1500-2000 word essay (Autumn Term), take a 90-minute class test (Spring Term), and prepare a poster/oral presentation (Summer Term). The average of the three assignments will form the student's final mark.?One piece of assessment worth no more than 50% of the module mark can be replaced by a report produced after an academic placement. The placement must be agreed in advance by the module convenor; the length of the report is to be equivalent to standard departmental practice for coursework. 

Formative assessment methods:

Students will have the opportunity, to participate in group discussions/seminars and departmental research seminars, and to give and receive feedback about other formative activities.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
40%

Reassessment arrangements:
Reassessment in August, in the event of failure in this module and of failure in Part 1 as a whole, or (for compulsory modules only) of failure to qualify in Part 1.

Class test to be retaken in August. Coursework marks over 40% will be carried forward but coursework with a mark of less than 40% to be resubmitted by 1PM on the third Friday of August or, if the University is closed on the third Friday of August, at 1PM on the next working day thereafter.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: Federico Faloppa, Brevi lezioni sul linguaggio, Turin: Bollati Boringhieri, 2019 (ca. £14)

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: 25 April 2023