ML1IL: Introduction to Linguistics

Module code: ML1IL

Module provider: Languages and Cultures; School of Humanities

Credits: 20

Level: Level 1 (Certificate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Professor Federico Faloppa, email: f.faloppa@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

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: 2 October 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

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); 
• approach 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. 

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Better understand what language is, and how human beings perform it
2. Approach modern European languages from a descriptive and scientific viewpoint
3. Acquire methods and tools for approaching any other language from a descriptive and structural viewpoint
4. Develop meta-linguistic awareness (useful for learning and approaching languages in general)
5. Develop research and writing skills

Module 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 pass a class test at the end of the module. Students will also be expected to contribute to class discussion and debates by focusing on specific aspects and by presenting their findings in guided seminars. 

Structure

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. 

Study hours

At least 30 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.

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

Reassessment

Additional costs