SEL2231 : Linguistic Controversies (Inactive)
- Inactive for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Gabriel Martinez Vera
- 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 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
In this module, we will look at a number of debates and controversies in linguistics, focusing on one or more specific areas of study. This will give us a chance to analyse the nature of linguistic argumentation and the sometimes less-than-straightforward relation between data and analysis. We will also discuss some of the fundamental views of linguistic structure and function that underlie specific pieces of research, and try to identify commonalities and differences between different camps. In addition, we will consider the extent to which technological and methodological innovations can sometimes help resolve controversies.
Outline Of Syllabus
Topics to be covered will include: examples of current controversies in linguistics; the types of reasoning found in discussion of controversies in the literature; the extent to which data can be suitable or unsuitable for certain types of analysis; examples of recent advances in technology and methodology that can help resolve old controversies (and sometimes create new ones).
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 11 | 2:00 | 22:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 50:00 | 50:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 30:00 | 30:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Project work | 1 | 30:00 | 30:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 57:00 | 57:00 | N/A |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures will impart knowledge of linguistic controversies in one or more fields within linguistics and of the methods that can be used to analyse them. The small group teaching will be used to consolidate this knowledge and to practice critical analysis of primary materials.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 2 | A | 60 | 2500 words |
| Report | 2 | M | 40 | 1000 words |
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 | 2 | M | 500-word written exercise |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The mid-term report will be literature-based, requiring close analysis of a linguistic controversy and the argumentation used in it. The final essay will give students an opportunity to show their understanding of all the material taught and to apply it to one or more case-studies.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- SEL2231's Timetable