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School of Literature, Languages and Linguistics · ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences
This course gives an introduction to human language, its structure and how it can be described and analysed, as well as what all human languages have in common and how they differ. The methodology of linguistics (the scientific study of language) is introduced, focusing on the formulation of generalisations that say what all human languages share. The aim of the course is to give a conceptual framework for (1) critically thinking about and discussing language and language-related topics, and (2) aiding the acquisition of a second language. Students will engage with diverse languages, including Indigenous Australian languages and other languages of the Asia-Pacific and from around the globe. The course will be of interest to any student who wishes to learn more about language and is an essential foundation for further studies in linguistics.
Analytical tasks (equivalent to 2,500 words)
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3
3 hour formal final examination (equivalent to 2,500 words)
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3
130 hours of total student learning time made up from: a) 36 hours of contact over 12 weeks: 24 hours of lectures and 12 hours of tutorials; b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.
Textbook: Genetti, Carol (ed). 2019. How languages work: An introduction to language and linguistics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. For additional readings, please refer to Wattle.