Students

LING332 – Culture and Language

2017 – S1 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Lecturer and Unit Convenor
Dr Nick Wilson
C5A 553
Lecturer
Dr Joe Blythe
Administration
Margaret Wood
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
39cp at 100 level or above
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit aims to develop students' knowledge of how cultural patterns (beliefs, values and norms) affect or relate to language and language use. It is grounded in an analysis of the theoretical and methodological issues common to linguistics and anthropology. Increasing globalisation, internationalisation and migration provide an imperative to develop awareness and understanding of issues associated with linguistic diversity. One effective approach is driven by a perspective of language as one part of cultural practice, and so focuses on the cultural meanings displayed in language use. Anthropological linguistics is interested in the meaning behind the ways in which language is used.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and themes relevant to studying language and culture links.
  • Explain how cultural beliefs and values can influence the communication norms of a group.
  • Apply and adapt anthropological linguistics knowledge to consideration of real world issues.
  • Develop, conduct and report on an ethnography of communication research project.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the different types of ethnographic theories and methods and their appropriate application.

General Assessment Information

Feedback

This unit uses both formative (aimed to help you develop)  and summative (measuring your performance) feedback at various stages. For Assignment 1, you will receive a summative mark and feedback on how you have performed in terms of your critical writing. For Assignment 2, you will receive formative feedback on the content of your research plan and summative feedback (i.e. the mark) on the effectiveness of your academic communication. The formative feedback is intended to be helpful in carrying out the research for Assignment 3. For Assignment 3, you have the option to present a short overview of what you have done in your project in week 12. The aim of this is to allow you to reflect on this and develop your discussion and analysis in response. The final mark and feedback you receive for the report will be summative only, as you will have had feedback on your progress at two occasions and informally during class.

 

Extensions for Late Work

Where a student knows ON or BEFORE THE DUE DATE that he/she cannot submit the assignment on the due date because of illness or other certified personal difficulties, the student is entitled to ask for an extension for that piece of work. The extension means that no marks will be deducted for lateness. In order to apply for an extension, students need to make an online Disruption to Studies application via ask.mq.edu.au and provide supporting evidence.

Late Submissions

To help students submit their work in a timely fashion, assignment details are available from the first week of the session.

If the an extension has not been granted due to certificated medical problems or to 'unavoidable disruption' prior to the day of submission, a late submission will accrue a deduction of 5% of the total marks available for the assignment for each day past the due date. Weekends and public holidays are included.

Moderation of assessment

All assessment is marked by the unit convenor and is moderated by another lecturer using sample checking and statistical analysis of the spread of marks to ensure fairness and consistency across the unit.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Critical Review 30% No Week 5
Research Plan 10% No Week 7
Ethnographic Research Project 60% No Week 13

Critical Review

Due: Week 5
Weighting: 30%

Due Date: Monday 27th March 2017

Word limit: 1000 words

You will write a short (1000 word) critical review of a research article from the Journal of Linguistic Anthropology, demonstrating your understanding of anthropological theory and the ability to critically evaluate research. The review should succinctly describe, in essay form, the research documented in the article and provide a critical response to it. In writing your critical review, you should discuss and explain:

  • The primary research that the author carried out.
  • The theoretical concepts supporting the article.
  • How the findings of the research support or challenge other work in linguistic anthropology.

It is crucial that you consider other academic sources in your review; ideally these will be other research articles or research books, but you may also use textbooks as a source of information about theory and method pertinent to the article.

A list of articles suitable for review will be made available on iLearn in week 1.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and themes relevant to studying language and culture links.
  • Explain how cultural beliefs and values can influence the communication norms of a group.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the different types of ethnographic theories and methods and their appropriate application.

Research Plan

Due: Week 7
Weighting: 10%

Due date: Monday 10th April 2017

Word limit: 500 words

You will submit a 500 word plan of your proposed linguistic ethnography project (see Assessment Task 3) including details of the group you intend to study, the type of data that will be collected and the focus you intend to take in your ethnography.

Feedback from this assessment will be available to you prior to undertaking the Ethnographic Research Project


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop, conduct and report on an ethnography of communication research project.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the different types of ethnographic theories and methods and their appropriate application.

Ethnographic Research Project

Due: Week 13
Weighting: 60%

Due date: Friday 9th June 2017

Word limit: 2000 words

You will have already planned this project for Assessment Task 2 and received formative feedback that will help with this task.

Choose a social or cultural group to which you have existing access, and that you are already a member of.

Based on your observation and interaction with your chosen social or cultural group, you should write an ethnographic account of the group’s linguistic practices focusing on one of the following areas:

  1. Ritual interaction and social meaning
  2. A “rich point” (Agar 1994)
  3. The structure of the group and how different linguistic styles are used to construct identity within the group
  4. An focus of your own design (must be approved by the unit convenor through feedback on the research plan)

The ethnographic report should be no more than 2000 words, excluding figures and references. You must describe the group sufficiently to contextualise your discussion of whichever focus you choose. Prior to submitting the report, you will given the opportunity to present a short (3 min) overview of your research to the class and receive verbal, formative feedback on what you have done.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain how cultural beliefs and values can influence the communication norms of a group.
  • Apply and adapt anthropological linguistics knowledge to consideration of real world issues.
  • Develop, conduct and report on an ethnography of communication research project.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the different types of ethnographic theories and methods and their appropriate application.

Delivery and Resources

Delivery

The unit is taught in 13 x 2 hour seminars; with large and small group discussions and activities aimed at assisting students’ skills and knowledge acquisition. All assignments are submitted online through the LING332 ilearn website.

Time and place: Tuesdays, 3pm - 5pm, E6A 131

Reading

The required texts are:

Duranti, A. (1997). Linguistic Anthropology. Cambridge: CUP. (only 3 copies in the library - you should buy this)

Copland, F., & Creese, A. (2015). Linguistic ethnography: Collecting, analysing and presenting data. London: Sage. (available as an e-book through the library)

 

Further reading will be made available via iLearn.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html​

Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html

Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Explain how cultural beliefs and values can influence the communication norms of a group.
  • Apply and adapt anthropological linguistics knowledge to consideration of real world issues.
  • Develop, conduct and report on an ethnography of communication research project.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the different types of ethnographic theories and methods and their appropriate application.

Assessment tasks

  • Research Plan
  • Ethnographic Research Project

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and themes relevant to studying language and culture links.
  • Explain how cultural beliefs and values can influence the communication norms of a group.
  • Apply and adapt anthropological linguistics knowledge to consideration of real world issues.
  • Develop, conduct and report on an ethnography of communication research project.

Assessment tasks

  • Research Plan
  • Ethnographic Research Project

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and themes relevant to studying language and culture links.
  • Explain how cultural beliefs and values can influence the communication norms of a group.
  • Apply and adapt anthropological linguistics knowledge to consideration of real world issues.
  • Develop, conduct and report on an ethnography of communication research project.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the different types of ethnographic theories and methods and their appropriate application.

Assessment tasks

  • Critical Review
  • Research Plan
  • Ethnographic Research Project

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and themes relevant to studying language and culture links.
  • Explain how cultural beliefs and values can influence the communication norms of a group.
  • Apply and adapt anthropological linguistics knowledge to consideration of real world issues.
  • Develop, conduct and report on an ethnography of communication research project.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the different types of ethnographic theories and methods and their appropriate application.

Assessment tasks

  • Critical Review
  • Research Plan
  • Ethnographic Research Project

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and themes relevant to studying language and culture links.
  • Explain how cultural beliefs and values can influence the communication norms of a group.
  • Apply and adapt anthropological linguistics knowledge to consideration of real world issues.
  • Develop, conduct and report on an ethnography of communication research project.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the different types of ethnographic theories and methods and their appropriate application.

Assessment tasks

  • Critical Review
  • Ethnographic Research Project

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and themes relevant to studying language and culture links.
  • Explain how cultural beliefs and values can influence the communication norms of a group.
  • Apply and adapt anthropological linguistics knowledge to consideration of real world issues.
  • Develop, conduct and report on an ethnography of communication research project.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the different types of ethnographic theories and methods and their appropriate application.

Assessment tasks

  • Research Plan
  • Ethnographic Research Project

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and themes relevant to studying language and culture links.
  • Explain how cultural beliefs and values can influence the communication norms of a group.
  • Apply and adapt anthropological linguistics knowledge to consideration of real world issues.
  • Develop, conduct and report on an ethnography of communication research project.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the different types of ethnographic theories and methods and their appropriate application.

Assessment tasks

  • Critical Review
  • Research Plan
  • Ethnographic Research Project

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and themes relevant to studying language and culture links.
  • Explain how cultural beliefs and values can influence the communication norms of a group.
  • Apply and adapt anthropological linguistics knowledge to consideration of real world issues.
  • Develop, conduct and report on an ethnography of communication research project.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the different types of ethnographic theories and methods and their appropriate application.

Assessment tasks

  • Research Plan
  • Ethnographic Research Project

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and themes relevant to studying language and culture links.
  • Explain how cultural beliefs and values can influence the communication norms of a group.
  • Apply and adapt anthropological linguistics knowledge to consideration of real world issues.
  • Develop, conduct and report on an ethnography of communication research project.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the different types of ethnographic theories and methods and their appropriate application.

Assessment tasks

  • Research Plan
  • Ethnographic Research Project

Changes from Previous Offering

Textbook has changed.

Formative feedback has been increased.

Order of topics has changed.