Students

LING3300 – Linguistic Theory and Practice

2020 – Session 2, Special circumstance

Notice

As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.

To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Loes Koring
Nick Wilson
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
(40cp from LING2210 - LING2230)
Corequisites Corequisites
20cp from LING or SPHL units at 3000 level
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

Linguistic Theory and Practice is the capstone unit for the Bachelor of Linguistics and Language Sciences. As the capstone, it draws upon the skills and knowledge that students have acquired elsewhere in the course. Since the Bachelor of Linguistics and Language Sciences contains three specialisations: Theoretical and Descriptive Linguistics, Child Language Acquisition, and Applied Linguistics, this unit will offer a learning experience that is catered to each of the specialisations. Students will design a research project related to their specialisation, discuss the development of linguistic theories pertaining to their specialisation, and explore the pathways for employment and further study that capitalise on the skills and knowledge they have gained thus far in their studies.

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: Critically discuss a range of approaches to the study of language, showing an understanding of the ontological and epistemological differences between different theories of language.
  • ULO2: Communicate knowledge about key linguistic theorists using a variety of genres and modalities.
  • ULO3: Demonstrate an understanding of how linguistic research is conducted and the types of data and methods used in a range of fields of linguistic research.
  • ULO4: Apply your knowledge of linguistic theory and practice to research design aligned with your specialisation.
  • ULO5: Identify potential career pathways that utilise the skills and knowledge you have gained through studying linguistics and language sciences.

General Assessment Information

Assessment Submissions

Assessments are to be submitted electronically via the LING3300 iLearn page unless otherwise advised. Instructions for submitting assessments via Turnitin are available here:

 http://www.mq.edu.au/iLearn/student_info/assignments.htm

Late submissions:

  • Late submissions without an extension will receive a penalty of 3% of the total mark available for the assessment task per day including weekend days (i.e. this is 3% of the total marks possible for the task – NOT 3% of the marks the student received. For example, if the assessment task is worth 100 marks and the student is two days late their mark for the task is reduced by 6 marks.)
  • Late submission of an assessment task without an extension will not be accepted at all after the date on which marked assessment tasks have been released to the rest of the class. Any student with unsubmitted work at this date will receive a mark of 0 for the assessment task.
  • Extensions will only be given in special circumstances, and can be requested by completing the Special Consideration request at ask.mq.edu.au and providing the requisite supporting documentation.
  • Extensions that will result in submissions after the assessment task has been returned to the class will require a separate assessment task to be completed at the unit convenor's discretion.
  • For more information on Special Consideration, see the university website https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration\
  • If a student fails the unit due to non-submission of an assignment or non-attendance at an exam, an FA grade will be applied in accordance with the University's Assessment Policy.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Annotated bibliography and literature search 15% No Week 6, 06/09/2020
Expository Essay 30% No 27/09/2020
Online poster presentation of literature search and annotated bibliography 15% No Week 12
Research proposal / Report 40% No 08/11/2020

Annotated bibliography and literature search

Assessment Type 1: Annotated bibliography
Indicative Time on Task 2: 12 hours
Due: Week 6, 06/09/2020
Weighting: 15%

 

You will perform a literature search for your selected research/report topic. 20 references to be included. Paper to include research question/report focus, number of citations for each paper, journal impact factors. Each reference should be annotated for its method, results, and relevance.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically discuss a range of approaches to the study of language, showing an understanding of the ontological and epistemological differences between different theories of language.
  • Communicate knowledge about key linguistic theorists using a variety of genres and modalities.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of how linguistic research is conducted and the types of data and methods used in a range of fields of linguistic research.
  • Apply your knowledge of linguistic theory and practice to research design aligned with your specialisation.

Expository Essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 27/09/2020
Weighting: 30%

 

You will write a 2000 word expository essay on an influential figure or an influential framework in linguistics.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically discuss a range of approaches to the study of language, showing an understanding of the ontological and epistemological differences between different theories of language.
  • Communicate knowledge about key linguistic theorists using a variety of genres and modalities.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of how linguistic research is conducted and the types of data and methods used in a range of fields of linguistic research.
  • Apply your knowledge of linguistic theory and practice to research design aligned with your specialisation.

Online poster presentation of literature search and annotated bibliography

Assessment Type 1: Poster
Indicative Time on Task 2: 12 hours
Due: Week 12
Weighting: 15%

 

You will create an online digital poster presentation that introduces your research question/report focus and the literature that provides the background to the project.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically discuss a range of approaches to the study of language, showing an understanding of the ontological and epistemological differences between different theories of language.
  • Communicate knowledge about key linguistic theorists using a variety of genres and modalities.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of how linguistic research is conducted and the types of data and methods used in a range of fields of linguistic research.
  • Apply your knowledge of linguistic theory and practice to research design aligned with your specialisation.

Research proposal / Report

Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: 08/11/2020
Weighting: 40%

 

You will prepare and submit either a 3,000 word report that applies linguistic knowledge beyond academia, or a 3,000 word research proposal you have designed over the course of the unit. The aim of the research proposal is to propose a research question and describe its conception, background, and implementation. The aim of the report is to explore an application of linguistics to the real-world.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically discuss a range of approaches to the study of language, showing an understanding of the ontological and epistemological differences between different theories of language.
  • Communicate knowledge about key linguistic theorists using a variety of genres and modalities.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of how linguistic research is conducted and the types of data and methods used in a range of fields of linguistic research.
  • Apply your knowledge of linguistic theory and practice to research design aligned with your specialisation.
  • Identify potential career pathways that utilise the skills and knowledge you have gained through studying linguistics and language sciences.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

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

The learning and teaching strategies used in this unit include lectures taught by a number of different staff members from linguistics, and are a reflection on the wider field of linguistics. The main lecturer is Loes Koring who will be present on-line during the timetabled slot for each lecture and discuss the contents of each lecture with enrolled students during that time. The first half of the unit, students will critically evaluate several mainstream theories in linguistics, culminating in an essay on an influential figure or theory in linguistics. The second half of the semester will critically evaluate several methodologies used in the field of linguistics, and will focus on students' own research proposals.

  • Students are expected to read the reading materials before attending the weekly lectures, which will be delivered live online in order to allow for interaction and discussion.
  • The first two weeks, we will read several chapters from the book: What is this thing called science, by Chalmers. This book is available online.
  • The reading material(s) for each week will be specified in iLearn.
  • Lecture support material, assessment task instructions, and other relevant materials are uploaded to the LING3300 iLearn site. Lecture slides may be made available, although there is no guarantee that they will be available before lectures.  
  • The tutorial materials are designed for students to gain in-depth knowledge, and reflect on, materials discussed in the lectures, as well as work on and get (peer) feedback on the progress on their individual assessments. 
  • Students are expected to have attempted the tutorial preparation as set out each week in iLearn.

Unit Schedule

Week Lecture Tutorial Assessment due dates
1 Introduction to the unit and a bit of history Student introductions/expectations/essay assessment  
2 Empiricism vs. Rationalism Assignment 1  
3 Generative Grammar Group discussion  
4 Cognitive Approaches Searching and managing references  
5 Do we need grammar at all? Assignment 2  
6 Review Day Assignment 3 Submit annotated bibliography - Friday 6 Sept - 15%
7 Research questions in linguistics Individual consultations essay  
  Mid-semester Break   Submit essay - Sunday 27 Sept - 30%
8 Ongoing research projects Assignment 4  
9 Research Design Presenting  
10 Corpus Data Doing corpus research  
11 Armchair Linguistics Discussion students' research proposals  
12 Experimental Data Student presentations Student presentations - 15%
13 No lecture Individual consultations Research Proposal/Report Submit Research Proposal/Report - Sunday 8 Nov - 40%

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.