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LING7793 – Advanced Topics in Australia's Indigenous Languages

2020 – Session 1, Weekday attendance, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Joe Blythe
joe.blythe@mq.edu.au
Margaret Wood
margaret.wood@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit aims to give students advanced knowledge of the structure and use of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages within contemporary settings, as well as prior to European colonization. Students will study several specific Aboriginal languages in depth, as well as gaining a general knowledge of the linguistic prehistory of Australia, kinship and social organization, language and the land, multilingualism, language maintenance, language contact. Other topics to be covered include Aboriginal sign languages, Aboriginal song, Aboriginal conversation and narrative, language and the law, Aboriginal languages in Education and first language acquisition. Important ethical practices for conducting research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait communities will be a key focus throughout the unit.

Important Academic Dates

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

Learning Outcomes

  • ULO1: Demonstrate a knowledge of phonological and grammatical structures of several indigenous languages.
  • ULO2: Analyse, evaluate and discuss the semantics of Australian Aboriginal kinship and social organisation.
  • ULO3: Articulate their understanding of the context of language contact in Australia especially with respect to multilingualism, pidgins, creoles, mixed languages and varieties of Aboriginal English.
  • ULO4: Understand, describe and apply ethical considerations regarding working with Aboriginal people when conducting research into their language and cultural practices.
  • ULO5: Effectively communicate to a range of audiences relevant topics such as language documentation and revitalisation, and linguistic diversity in indigenous Australia.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
2. Language contact task 15% No TBC
4. Final essay (2500-2800 words) 50% No TBC
3. Morphosyntax task 20% No TBC
1. Kinship and social organisation 15% No TBC

2. Language contact task

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: TBC
Weighting: 15%

Write a short report and/or solve a problem set relating to situation of stable multilingualism or contact induced language change/language shift. (500 words maximum)
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate a knowledge of phonological and grammatical structures of several indigenous languages.
  • Articulate their understanding of the context of language contact in Australia especially with respect to multilingualism, pidgins, creoles, mixed languages and varieties of Aboriginal English.
  • Effectively communicate to a range of audiences relevant topics such as language documentation and revitalisation, and linguistic diversity in indigenous Australia.

4. Final essay (2500-2800 words)

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: TBC
Weighting: 50%

Final essay


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate a knowledge of phonological and grammatical structures of several indigenous languages.
  • Understand, describe and apply ethical considerations regarding working with Aboriginal people when conducting research into their language and cultural practices.
  • Effectively communicate to a range of audiences relevant topics such as language documentation and revitalisation, and linguistic diversity in indigenous Australia.

3. Morphosyntax task

Assessment Type 1: Problem set
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: TBC
Weighting: 20%

Solve morphological problem sets relating to an Australian language. (Equivalent to 1000 words)
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate a knowledge of phonological and grammatical structures of several indigenous languages.

1. Kinship and social organisation

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: TBC
Weighting: 15%

Write a short report and/or solve a problem set relating to kinship/social organisation of the speakers of an Australian language. Students will be required extract relevant information from a reference grammar of the language in question. (400 words minimum)
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Analyse, evaluate and discuss the semantics of Australian Aboriginal kinship and social organisation.

1 If you need guidance or support to understand or complete this type of assessment, please contact the Learning Skills Team

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

TBC

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 improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Enquiry Service

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

Equity 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.

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.