Students

LING1121 – Language Myths and Realities

2020 – Session 1, Weekday attendance, North Ryde

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, any references to assessment tasks and on-campus delivery may no longer be up-to-date on this page.

Students should consult iLearn for revised unit information.

Find out more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and potential impacts on staff and students

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff co-convenor
Nick Wilson
nick.wilson@mq.edu.au
co-convenor
Joe Blythe
joe.blythe@mq.edu.au
Margaret Wood
margaret.wood@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit explores some common misunderstandings about language, and introduces students to a range of linguistic topics such as historical linguistics, language evolution, writing systems, and gesture. The unit showcases what linguists do outside of academia and provides practice in analysing real linguistic data.

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:

  • ULO1: Compare societal perspectives about language with findings from current linguistic research.
  • ULO2: Demonstrate some basic theoretical and technical knowledge about some sub-disciplines of linguistics.
  • ULO3: Understand how language data is collected for the purpose of linguistic research.
  • ULO4: Apply basic theoretical and technical linguistic knowledge to the analysis of language data.
  • ULO5: Critically discuss a myth about language in light of linguistic realities using standard written English discourse.

Assessment Tasks

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Assessment details are no longer provided here as a result of changes due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Students should consult iLearn for revised unit information.

Find out more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and potential impacts on staff and students

General Assessment Information

All requests for deadline extensions must be submitted through ask.mq.edu.au

Assignments submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at the rate of 3% of the total mark available for the assessment per day. Any work submitted without an approved extension after other students have received their marks will be treated as a non-submission.

In line with the Macquarie University Assessment Policy, non-submission of any assignment that leads to a total unit mark of less than 50 will result in an FA grade being awarded.

Delivery and Resources

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Any references to on-campus delivery below may no longer be relevant due to COVID-19.

Please check here for updated delivery information: https://ask.mq.edu.au/account/pub/display/unit_status

This unit is taught through 2 x 1 hour lectures each week and 1 x 1 hour tutorial.

All lectures are recorded and live-streamed, but only the audio and the capture of what is on the screen. As we have lectures about gesture and sign languages, relying only upon the recording or live stream may not capture the entire content of the lecture.

There is no textbook for this unit. All readings are available through the Leganto reading list, accessible via the iLearn page.

Unit Schedule

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

The unit schedule/topics and any references to on-campus delivery below may no longer be relevant due to COVID-19. Please consult iLearn for latest details, and check here for updated delivery information: https://ask.mq.edu.au/account/pub/display/unit_status

Topics that will be covered include:

  • Etymology and Meaning
  • Historical Linguistics
  • Speech and Articulation
  • Folk-linguistics
  • Constructed Languages
  • Myths and realities about linguistic jobs
  • Language and artificial intelligence

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/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/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

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

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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.

Changes since First Published

Date Description
13/02/2020 updated dates following FSQC approval of assessment change