Students

LING1109 – Language, Culture and Communication

2022 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Annabelle Lukin
annabelle.lukin@mq.edu.au
Maria Herke
maria.herke@mq.edu.au
Co-convenor
Catherine Martin
catherine.martin@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
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

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
Module study 40% No 4/11/22 midnight
Tutorial tasks/preparation 30% No 9/9/22 midnight (submission 1); 21/10/22 (submission 2)
Timetabled on-campus invigilated exam 30% No 08/11/22 9am - 11/11/22 midnight - takehome exam

Module study

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 4/11/22 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

Tutorial tasks/preparation

Assessment Type 1: Field work task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 18 hours
Due: 9/9/22 midnight (submission 1); 21/10/22 (submission 2)
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

Timetabled on-campus invigilated exam

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 18 hours
Due: 08/11/22 9am - 11/11/22 midnight - takehome exam
Weighting: 30%

 

Exam consisting of two parts: short answer questions, 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

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

Contact hours

The unit has two timetabled contact hours - a one hour weekly lecture, and a one hour weekly tutorial. Tutorials begin in week 2. 

Reading

Each week there are readings to support the unit content. We have resources to help you with these readings. Check iLearn to find extra help. 

Weekly tutorial tasks

You are expected to prepare for your tutorials each week by completing the set readings, and by undertaking a tutorial task prior to the lecture. 

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:

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

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

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

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

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 2022.03 of the Handbook