Students
LING1109 – Language, Culture and Communication
2021 – Session 2, Special circumstances
Session 2 Learning and Teaching Update
The decision has been made to conduct study online for the remainder of Session 2 for all units WITHOUT mandatory on-campus learning activities. Exams for Session 2 will also be online where possible to do so.
This is due to the extension of the lockdown orders and to provide certainty around arrangements for the remainder of Session 2. We hope to return to campus beyond Session 2 as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.
Some classes/teaching activities cannot be moved online and must be taught on campus. You should already know if you are in one of these classes/teaching activities and your unit convenor will provide you with more information via iLearn. If you want to confirm, see the list of units with mandatory on-campus classes/teaching activities.
Visit the MQ COVID-19 information page for more detail.
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Annabelle Lukin
Margaret Wood
Co-convenor
Catherine Martin
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit investigates language through issues the major linguists have asked over the last century. These questions begin with: what counts as a sign and how sign systems begin in a community, but organise the brain of the individual. We track the emergence of language in the child and variations of language which are a consequence of new pressures to act, talk, and think throughout our social networks. The unit also examines the variation of languages across 'language families', and the extent to which linguistic tools can be applied in diverse areas of cultural analysis - from electronic channels to verbal art. We consider the power of language by looking at the relationship of language to the ideologies of everyday experience, as well as those that are actively produced and maintained by powerful groups with vested interests. |
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: Describe basic principles in the study of language as a meaning making system
- ULO2: Recognize and analyse patterns in language
- ULO3: Relate these patterns to what language is doing for its speakers in a given social and cultural context
- ULO4: Understand key vectors of variation in language: code, register, dialect, typological variation
- ULO5: Understand how language grows and develops in human cultures and within the individual
- ULO6: Select and apply basic tools and techniques for the study of language data
- ULO7: Make judgments about the social and cultural implications of linguistic patterns in natural language data
General Assessment Information
Faculty assessment task late submission policy
Requesting an extension to assignment due date
On occasion, you may be in a situation when you aren't able to submit an assessment task on time. Extensions are only given in special circumstances, by completing a Special Consideration request. For more information on Special Consideration, see https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration
Late submission of assignments
If you haven't been approved for an extension and you submit your assessment task late, penalties are applied. You should consult your unit convenor if you are in this position. Late submissions will receive a 5% per day penalty. If you submit the assessment task 10 days or more beyond the due date, without an approved extension, you will be awarded a maximum of 50% of the overall assessment marks. Weekends and public holidays are included.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Take home exam during final exam period | 30% | No | 15/11/21 (9am) - 18/11/21 (midnight) |
| Tutorial tasks/preparation | 30% | No | Midnight Fri: week7 (10/9/21) & week 12 (29/10/21) |
| Module study | 40% | No | 5/11/21 midnight |
Take home exam during final exam period
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 18 hours
Due: 15/11/21 (9am) - 18/11/21 (midnight)
Weighting: 30%
Exam consisting of two parts: short answer and one long answer.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Describe basic principles in the study of language as a meaning making system
- Recognize and analyse patterns in language
- Relate these patterns to what language is doing for its speakers in a given social and cultural context
- Understand key vectors of variation in language: code, register, dialect, typological variation
- Understand how language grows and develops in human cultures and within the individual
- Select and apply basic tools and techniques for the study of language data
- Make judgments about the social and cultural implications of linguistic patterns in natural language data
Tutorial tasks/preparation
Assessment Type 1: Field work task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 18 hours
Due: Midnight Fri: week7 (10/9/21) & week 12 (29/10/21)
Weighting: 30%
Tutorial preparation, participation and task completion/submission constitutes 30% of the overall mark for this unit. Each week students are required to read an article, and do a task in preparation for the tutorial. Students bring notes on the reading and the task for discussion in the tutorial. These tasks are submitted for marking at two points in the semester: end of week 7, and end of week 12. Students receive a mark out of 15 on each of these submissions. The mark will take account not only of the work submitted, but of student participation and contribution in the tutorials.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Describe basic principles in the study of language as a meaning making system
- Recognize and analyse patterns in language
- Relate these patterns to what language is doing for its speakers in a given social and cultural context
- Understand key vectors of variation in language: code, register, dialect, typological variation
- Understand how language grows and develops in human cultures and within the individual
- Select and apply basic tools and techniques for the study of language data
- Make judgments about the social and cultural implications of linguistic patterns in natural language data
Module study
Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 5/11/21 midnight
Weighting: 40%
Data collection, analysis and interpretation (1500 words), based on a topic that set by the student.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Describe basic principles in the study of language as a meaning making system
- Recognize and analyse patterns in language
- Relate these patterns to what language is doing for its speakers in a given social and cultural context
- Understand key vectors of variation in language: code, register, dialect, typological variation
- Understand how language grows and develops in human cultures and within the individual
- Select and apply basic tools and techniques for the study of language data
- Make judgments about the social and cultural implications of linguistic patterns in natural language data
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
Lecture and tutorials
This unit has a one hour live lecture on zoom, and a weekly one hour tutorial, with online availability and face-to-face (COVID permitting).
Weekly readings
Each week students are required to do some reading - see links in Leganto via iLearn.
Tutorial activities
Each week students have a weekly task to prepare and bring to the tutorial. These activities can be found on iLearn.
EXTERNALS ONLY
Externals can attend live lectures, or listen to recordings. Tutorials are replaced by discussion board interaction. External students will be required to submit weekly tutorial activities via the discussion board. There will be an external tutor who will contact you and support your online activities.
Unit Schedule
Ling1109 is offered as four modules, with each module running for 3 weeks. In the final week, the lecture will be revision and exam preparation.
Module 1: Signs and Social Networks [Weeks 1-3]
Language is a social and semiotic system. In other words, it is a resource for meaning in society. In this module we examine the nature of linguistic signs, writing systems and the role of our social networks in constructing our habits of talking and thinking.
Module 2: Linguistics in the Era of Big Data [Weeks 4-6]
Since the 1950s, computers have been used to help us understand languages and texts. This module introduces corpus linguistics, and some of the basic tools for study the large bodies of data we now have available to us.
Module 3: Language as Political Instrument [Weeks 7-9]
Language is ideologically saturated and is always an instrument in the pursuit of power. In this module we look at the ideological nature of language, including that role of grammar as an ideological weapon.
Module 4: A World of Variation [Weeks 10-12]
In this module we focus on the ways in which language and languages vary. The world is estimated to have c. 7000 languages, which offer their speakers distinct ways of making sense of the world. A language also varies across time and space, and by "register", that is, by the many distinct contexts in which we use language.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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 |
|---|---|
| 12/07/2021 | Added guidance note for Externals under 'delivery and resources' Cheers Annabelle |
Unit information based on version 2021.01R of the Handbook