SEL8033 : Origins and Evolution of Language
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Christine Cuskley
- Owning School: English Lit, Language & Linguistics
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
To examine recent theories of language origins and evolution from a linguistic perspective; to examine work on the physical evidence concerning the origins of language, especially from a linguistic perspective; to consider additional evidence from a biological, neurological, archaeological and palaeontological perspective.
Outline Of Syllabus
i. Human evolution, genetics, and phylogeny in relation to language (weeks 1 – 4)
ii. Language-relevant changes to the brain and cognition in hominins (week 5)
iii. Communication and relevant cognitive skills in other species (week 6)
iv. The transition to language: Protolanguage and the evolution of syntax and morphology (weeks 7 – 8)
v. Evolution of social cognition, cultural evolution of language, gene culture co-evolution (weeks 9 – 11)
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 70:00 | 70:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 32:00 | 32:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 65:00 | 65:00 | N/A |
| Total | 200:00 |
Jointly Taught With
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| SEL3005 | Origins and Evolution of Language |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures introduce the relevant points of evolutionary biology as it pertains to language evolution, outline the main concepts and topics in evolutionary linguistics, give definitions and explanations, and discuss the primary hypotheses found in the evolutionary linguistics literature.
Seminars are intended as a forum to show that the student has read and digested primary literature, and can demonstrate the logic of the argumentation found in the readings for each class. Presentations from class members will be expected. Assignments will also be discussed in seminars.
Independent study is required for reading and writing the assessment.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 1 | A | 100 | One submitted essay of 4000 words, topic to be agreed between student and instructor on an individual basis. |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 1 | M | Formative quizzes throughout the semester including built-in feedback, allowing students to assess their comprehension of readings. |
| Research proposal | 1 | M | Research proposal for final essay |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The written assignment allows assessment of a student’s in-depth understanding of the concepts and issues covered, their grasp of the major hypotheses in the field, and their ability to argue cogently and concisely, including their ability to use correctly the technical terminology required in an evolutionary science. Advanced, logical argumentation skills will be expected and assessed.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- SEL8033's Timetable