Aims

This module explores intermediate to advanced linguistic theory, focusing on analysis and argumentation in linguistics relative to the topic under study. The specific topics covered will vary from year to year, depending on the current research in the field.

Outline Of Syllabus

The specific topics covered will vary from year to year, depending on the current research in the field.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Directed readings help students come to grips with primary literature in linguistic theory. Discussion of readings will be expected. Students will also be expected to lead discussion of papers read by the group as a whole. Private study is an important part of the module, requiring close reading of the material both in advance of seminars and as a follow-up to them. In addition to close reading of the papers assigned to the group as a whole, each student will need to spend time reading and understanding literature specifically relevant to the topic of their assessment essay.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Given that the student will be dealing with primary literature, the assessment provides a means for the student to show an understanding of the tools and methods of linguistic theorising through either analysing some set of data in a fashion relevant to the topic at hand, or presenting an informed evaluation of particular positions in the literature.