SML1019 : Introduction to Linguistics - Undergraduate Study

Offered for Year: 2020/21

Module Leader(s): Dr Damien Hall
Lecturer: Dr Carol Fehringer, Professor Ian MacKenzie

Owning School: Modern Languages
Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus

Semesters

Semester 1 Credit Value:	10
Semester 2 Credit Value:	10
ECTS Credits:	10.0

Aims

In consonance with the overall aims of the degrees offered in the SML, this module aims to provide students with a broad-based introduction to linguistics using data mainly from French, German, and Spanish. It provides a basic introduction to the scientific study of human language. Students will be introduced to the description of French, German, or Spanish, especially to phonetic transcription and some basic tools for the description of the respective sound system, word structure and sentence structure. In Semester 2 more general topics such as sociolinguistics and historical linguistics will be explored.

Outline Of Syllabus

Lectures and seminars alternate.

Topics covered will include most of the following (precise details could vary according to staff availability):
phonetics
phonology
morphology
syntax
semantics
historical linguistics
sociolinguistics: language contact
sociolinguistics: language variation

Teaching Methods

Please note that module leaders are reviewing the module teaching and assessment methods for Semester 2 modules, in light of the Covid-19 restrictions. There may also be a few further changes to Semester 1 modules. Final information will be available by the end of August 2020 in for Semester 1 modules and the end of October 2020 for Semester 2 modules.

Teaching Activities

Category	Activity	Number	Length	Student Hours	Comment
Structured Guided Learning	Lecture materials	5	2:00	10:00	N/A
Guided Independent Study	Assessment preparation and completion	30	1:00	30:00	N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities	Small group teaching	17	1:00	17:00	8 hrs synchronous online. 9 hrs present-in-person
Structured Guided Learning	Structured research and reading activities	10	1:00	10:00	Lecture preparation
Guided Independent Study	Independent study	132	1:00	132:00	N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities	Module talk	1	1:00	1:00	Synchronous online
Total				200:00

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The module talk introduces students to what linguistics is and does, and goes over practical aspects such as how the module will run. Structured learning from recordings introduces students to the general principles of a number of subdisciplines of linguistics in turn. They will be asked to listen to recordings and do some preliminary reading before engaging in the small group teaching. Small group teaching will enable students to apply the general principles of each linguistic subdiscipline to their own language (in each semester students will choose whether to join the French, German or Spanish seminar). Directed research and reading will allow students to consolidate their understanding, practice new skills, and identify gaps, which they can address during lecturers’ online office hours.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams

Description	Length	Semester	When Set	Percentage	Comment
Written Examination	120	2	A	100	N/A

Formative Assessments

Description	Semester	When Set	Comment
Written Examination	1	M	48 hr Take-home exam

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The written in-class test will assess factual and technical knowledge, while the final examination will also assess analytical skills and self-expression. The overall assessment package aims to ensure both subject-specific knowledge development and the consolidation of core transferrable skills.

The formative assessment is a practice transcription in Semester 1.

Reading Lists

SML1019's Reading List

Timetable

Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
SML1019's Timetable

Module