Students

LING218 – Grammar and Meaning

2014 – S1 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Annabelle Lukin
Contact via annabelle.lukin@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
LING109(P) or LING110(P) or LING120(P)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
Grammar is the powerhouse of language. The grammar of language emerges over time, as people use language for the varied processes of living. This course will introduce you to the relationship of grammar and meaning, through understanding the three functions of language:- textual function: how we organise our language into coherent text in the many different contexts in which we interact- interpersonal function: how we enact our social relationships through language- ideational function: how we use language to construe our experience of the world around us, and the world inside us.The analysis you will learn about in this unit is used in many different fields of study, including computational linguistics, translation, literary studies, child language development, political and media discourse, the language of health professionals, the language of education, etc. This is a course for people who love language, or who understand that language is important to all aspects of human life.

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:

  • analyze and discuss the relationship between meaning and social context, through the concepts of field (the type of social action), tenor (the kinds of relations between the interactants), and mode (how language contact occurs)
  • identify and discuss the significance of how the flow of information is organized in a text (the grammar for creating coherent text)
  • identify and discuss the significance of the grammar of interpersonal meanings in a text (the grammar for enacting our social relations in their myriad forms)
  • identify and discuss the significance of ideational meanings in a text (the grammar for construing experience of the world around us and inside us)

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI assisted?
Clause analysis 10% End of week 4 No
Short assignment 15% End of week 6 No
Long assignment 50% Friday week 13 No
Examination 25% exam period No

Clause analysis

Due: End of week 4
Weighting: 10%
Groupwork/Individual:
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?:

A one paragraph description of the text, and a division of the text into clauses.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • analyze and discuss the relationship between meaning and social context, through the concepts of field (the type of social action), tenor (the kinds of relations between the interactants), and mode (how language contact occurs)
  • identify and discuss the significance of ideational meanings in a text (the grammar for construing experience of the world around us and inside us)

Short assignment

Due: End of week 6
Weighting: 15%
Groupwork/Individual:
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?:

For this task, students will be given a short text to analyse. They will also write a brief (c.500) discussion of their findings, and relate the findings to the social function of the text.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • analyze and discuss the relationship between meaning and social context, through the concepts of field (the type of social action), tenor (the kinds of relations between the interactants), and mode (how language contact occurs)
  • identify and discuss the significance of how the flow of information is organized in a text (the grammar for creating coherent text)
  • identify and discuss the significance of the grammar of interpersonal meanings in a text (the grammar for enacting our social relations in their myriad forms)

Long assignment

Due: Friday week 13
Weighting: 50%
Groupwork/Individual:
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?:

Students will analyse a text based on the four functions of language introduced in the course. The assignment will combine some analysis provided by the convenor, and some analysis the students do themselves. They use this analysis to write an essay on the meanings the text makes, and relate these meanings to the social activity of the text, the interactants, and to the organization of the flow of information in the text.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • analyze and discuss the relationship between meaning and social context, through the concepts of field (the type of social action), tenor (the kinds of relations between the interactants), and mode (how language contact occurs)
  • identify and discuss the significance of how the flow of information is organized in a text (the grammar for creating coherent text)
  • identify and discuss the significance of the grammar of interpersonal meanings in a text (the grammar for enacting our social relations in their myriad forms)
  • identify and discuss the significance of ideational meanings in a text (the grammar for construing experience of the world around us and inside us)

Examination

Due: exam period
Weighting: 25%
Groupwork/Individual:
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?:

The examination is open book. It consists of 5 questions covering: clause analysis, transitivity, mood/modality, theme/rheme, logical relations.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • identify and discuss the significance of how the flow of information is organized in a text (the grammar for creating coherent text)
  • identify and discuss the significance of the grammar of interpersonal meanings in a text (the grammar for enacting our social relations in their myriad forms)
  • identify and discuss the significance of ideational meanings in a text (the grammar for construing experience of the world around us and inside us)

Delivery and Resources

 

The course has a two hour lecture, plus a one hour tutorial. If possible, we will include a Peer Assisted Learning session. The iLearn website contains self-paced online learning activities. The iLearn website also has ‘mini-lectures’ – short, prerecorded lectures on key concepts from the course, designed for students unable to attend some lectures. We also have a glossary of terms on the website. The218 iLearn site has a blog for students to write about language issues. This may be questions or comments, or links to interesting sites or articles about language and linguistics.

Unit Schedule

The table below has the unit schedule for this course. Please note that 'IFG' is a reference to the course textbook - An Introduction to Functional Grammar (3rd edition), by MAK Halliday and CMIM Matthiessen.

 

Wk

Lecture topics

Reading for lecture

Tutorial topics and exercises

1

The architecture of language

IFG Chapter 1: 1.1, 1.3, 1.4

e-Reserve: ‘Context of situation’, Halliday

No tutorial

 

2

Towards a functional grammar

IFG Chapter 2

 

Language in context

Activity: Looking at text in context.

3

Clause as message: language for creating coherent text 1

IFG Chapter 3

Units in language: formal and functional

Activity: Constituency analysis.

4

Clause as message: language for creating coherent text 2

IFG Chapter 3

Clause as message

Theme analysis 1

5

Clause as exchange: language enacting social relationships 1

IFG Chapter 4

Clause as message

Theme analysis 2

6

Clause as exchange: language enacting social relationships 2

IFG Chapter 4

Clause as exchange

Interpersonal analysis 2

7

Clause as representation: language construing experience 1

IFG Chapter 5

Clause as exchange

Interpersonal analysis 2

8

Clause as representation: language construing experience 2

IFG Chapter 5

The experiential function

Experiential analysis 1

9

Above the clause: the clause complex

IFG Chapter 7

e-Reserve: Using Functional Grammar Chapter 7

The experiential function

Experiential analysis 2

10

Review of the three modes of meaning; spoken and written language

e-Reserve: M.A.K. Halliday (1985) ‘Written language, lexical density’

Clause combining

Activity: clause combining

11

The sound of language – intonation as meaning making resource

IFG Chapter 1 (1.1.1)

Chapter 3 (3.5)

These readings are optional – intonation analysis is not assessed in this course

Text analysis

Discussion and text analysis

12

Language and society

 

e-Reserve: MAK Halliday (1978) “Language as Social Semiotic”

Text analysis

Discussion and text analysis

13

Language in context; Language in education.

e-Reserve: Williams “Children’s literature, children and uses of language description”

Exam preparation

Review past exam paper

Learning and Teaching Activities

Face to face lectures

Ling218 has a weekly 2 hour face to face lecture. This time combines presentation of concepts, and working through the application of these concepts to real discourse in its social context. We examine a wide variety of discourse, including from the domains of education, politics and media, advertising and literature.

Online lectures

Short online video lectures are available. These are designed for those unable to attend the face to face lectures, or who wish to revised the lecture content.

Tutorials

From week 2, there is a one hour tutorial. Attendance is at these tutorials is required for this course.

Online activities

The iLearn site provides online, self-paced activities which review key concepts of the course.

Assessment activities

Assessment activities are designed to enable students to apply the concepts of the course to real-life examples of language in social context.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy  http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html

Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of 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/support/student_conduct/

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 improve your marks and take control of your study.

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

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Assessment task

  • Long assignment

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • analyze and discuss the relationship between meaning and social context, through the concepts of field (the type of social action), tenor (the kinds of relations between the interactants), and mode (how language contact occurs)

Assessment task

  • Examination

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • analyze and discuss the relationship between meaning and social context, through the concepts of field (the type of social action), tenor (the kinds of relations between the interactants), and mode (how language contact occurs)
  • identify and discuss the significance of how the flow of information is organized in a text (the grammar for creating coherent text)
  • identify and discuss the significance of the grammar of interpersonal meanings in a text (the grammar for enacting our social relations in their myriad forms)
  • identify and discuss the significance of ideational meanings in a text (the grammar for construing experience of the world around us and inside us)

Assessment tasks

  • Short assignment
  • Long assignment
  • Examination

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • analyze and discuss the relationship between meaning and social context, through the concepts of field (the type of social action), tenor (the kinds of relations between the interactants), and mode (how language contact occurs)
  • identify and discuss the significance of how the flow of information is organized in a text (the grammar for creating coherent text)
  • identify and discuss the significance of the grammar of interpersonal meanings in a text (the grammar for enacting our social relations in their myriad forms)
  • identify and discuss the significance of ideational meanings in a text (the grammar for construing experience of the world around us and inside us)

Assessment tasks

  • Short assignment
  • Long assignment
  • Examination

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • analyze and discuss the relationship between meaning and social context, through the concepts of field (the type of social action), tenor (the kinds of relations between the interactants), and mode (how language contact occurs)
  • identify and discuss the significance of how the flow of information is organized in a text (the grammar for creating coherent text)
  • identify and discuss the significance of the grammar of interpersonal meanings in a text (the grammar for enacting our social relations in their myriad forms)
  • identify and discuss the significance of ideational meanings in a text (the grammar for construing experience of the world around us and inside us)

Assessment tasks

  • Short assignment
  • Long assignment
  • Examination

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • analyze and discuss the relationship between meaning and social context, through the concepts of field (the type of social action), tenor (the kinds of relations between the interactants), and mode (how language contact occurs)
  • identify and discuss the significance of how the flow of information is organized in a text (the grammar for creating coherent text)
  • identify and discuss the significance of the grammar of interpersonal meanings in a text (the grammar for enacting our social relations in their myriad forms)
  • identify and discuss the significance of ideational meanings in a text (the grammar for construing experience of the world around us and inside us)

Assessment tasks

  • Short assignment
  • Long assignment

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • analyze and discuss the relationship between meaning and social context, through the concepts of field (the type of social action), tenor (the kinds of relations between the interactants), and mode (how language contact occurs)

Assessment task

  • Long assignment