Students
LING3391 – Forensic Linguistics
2021 – Session 2, Weekday attendance, North Ryde
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
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Maria Herke
Margaret Wood
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
50cp at 2000 level or above including 10cp of LING units at 2000 level
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
Forensic linguistics is a diverse, rapidly-growing field that applies linguistic knowledge and methods to the forensic context of law, language, crime investigation, and judicial procedure. This unit covers the various sub-fields and issues of forensic linguistics, such as, key theoretical and methodological approaches within the field, the work of the forensic linguist, the sub-field of forensic phonetics including speaker identification and voice comparison, authorship attribution of written texts, the linguistic investigation of plagiarism, and the linguist as an expert witness. Key outcomes of the unit are the ability to understand and describe basic concepts and theories in forensic linguistics, to demonstrate basic knowledge of a wide range of issues in forensic linguistics both in the national and international context. Students will have the opportunity to critically observe and linguistically describe relevant evidential data, as well as to analyse linguistic evidence in a scientific manner.
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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 key theoretical and methodological approaches within the field of forensic linguistics.
- ULO2: Demonstrate basic knowledge of a wide range of issues in forensic linguistics in both the national and the international context.
- ULO3: Critically observe relevant evidential data, and linguistically describe and characterise it.
- ULO4: Demonstrate the knowledge and ability to analyse linguistic evidence in a scientific manner.
General Assessment Information
Requesting an extension to assessment 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 assessments
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forensic linguistc case study | 40% | No | Week 13 |
| Proposal for Forensic Linguistic case study | 25% | No | Week 7 |
| Participation and engagement | 35% | No | Week 2 - Week 13 |
Forensic linguistc case study
Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 40%
Students will analyse the linguistic evidence using the methodology, both of which were outlined in their earlier proposal in Assessment 2. Drawing on evidence and theoretical approaches from the unit and literature, students will then write up their findings as a professional report for their proposed audience.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate basic knowledge of a wide range of issues in forensic linguistics in both the national and the international context.
- Critically observe relevant evidential data, and linguistically describe and characterise it.
- Demonstrate the knowledge and ability to analyse linguistic evidence in a scientific manner.
Proposal for Forensic Linguistic case study
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 25%
Students present a written plan for a proposed Forensic Linguistic analysis case study. In this assessment, students will nominate a forensic linguistic issue/ problem from the national or international context and they will nominate a proposed professional organisation as their audience. Students will outline the linguistic evidence, either sourced or collected, and a relevant methodology that they propose to use to address this issue.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Describe key theoretical and methodological approaches within the field of forensic linguistics.
- Demonstrate basic knowledge of a wide range of issues in forensic linguistics in both the national and the international context.
- Critically observe relevant evidential data, and linguistically describe and characterise it.
- Demonstrate the knowledge and ability to analyse linguistic evidence in a scientific manner.
Participation and engagement
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Week 2 - Week 13
Weighting: 35%
Students complete a sequence of reading reflections and online peer feedback tasks throughout the teaching session.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Describe key theoretical and methodological approaches within the field of forensic linguistics.
- Demonstrate basic knowledge of a wide range of issues in forensic linguistics in both the national and the international context.
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
Seminar content will be delivered to you online via your ilearn site in the form of screencast videos (vlogs) and also via a weekly online 1 hour seminar There are no face to face classes for this unit, however if you wish to chat with myself (Maria), then do please email and we can organise a Zoom meeting.
Readings will be made available via Leganto which can be accessed via the unit ilearn page.
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.
Unit information based on version 2021.03 of the Handbook