LS2LAM: Language and the Mind

Module code: LS2LAM

Module provider: English Language and Applied Linguistics; School of Humanities

Credits: 20

Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Fraibet Aveledo, email: f.aveledo@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE LS1ELS AND ( TAKE LS1SG OR TAKE PL1LING1 ) (Compulsory)

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module critically examines how the mind acquires, stores and processes language and the research methods employed in the field of psycholinguistics.  It covers a wide range of topics and draws its ideas from disciplines such as psychology, linguistic analysis, speech science, and neuroscience. It is distinctive in that students will learn to apply the main theories in practical examples, to follow methodologies for psycholinguistics research experiments and to apply lexical decision tasks.   

The module is useful for those interested in careers involving research in psycholinguistic and neuroscience fields, teaching languages, speech and language therapy, analyses of language impairments, and forensic speech science.  

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. demonstrate a high-level understanding of the main concerns of psycholinguistics; 
2. apply research methodologies to the investigation of psycholinguistic questions; 
3. analyse experimental data and findings from a psycholinguistic perspective; 
4. conduct a small-scale psycholinguistic experiment; 

Module content

The focus of the module is on a) the storage of knowledge of language (how words are stored and retrieved); b) the relationship between language and cognition; c) the brain structure and the location of language processes in the brain; d) main theories of first and second language acquisition; e) language processing in bilinguals; f) communication in impaired populations; g) research methods in psycholinguistics. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures, seminars, field work, practical oral classes.

Study hours

At least 22 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

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

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs