Students

LING1109 – Language, Culture and Communication

2024 – 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
Felicity Cox
felicity.cox@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

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Tutorial tasks/preparation 30% No Week 7 and Week 12
Major assignment 40% No Week 12
Take home exam during final exam period 30% No Week 13

Tutorial tasks/preparation

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 18 hours
Due: Week 7 and Week 12
Weighting: 30%

 

Tutorial preparation, participation and task completion constitutes 30% of the overall mark for this unit.

 
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

Major assignment

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Week 12
Weighting: 40%

 

Data collection, analysis and interpretation, based on a topic set by the student and related to one of the unit modules.

 
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

Take home exam during final exam period

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 18 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 30%

 

Take home exam during final exam period

 
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

This unit consists of a one hour weekly lecture, and a one hour tutorial. Students need to undertake weekly readings and tutorial activities. 

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 connect.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 the Service Connect Portal, 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 2024.03 of the Handbook