This course covers the foundations of the study of human language; its structure and how it can be described and analysed. Students will discover what all human languages have in common and how they differ. The methodology of linguistics (the scientific study of language) is introduced, focusing on approaches to representing and accounting for linguistic patterns. The aim of the course is to give a comprehensive conceptual framework for (1) thinking about and discussing diverse languages and language-related topics, (2) aiding the acquisition and teaching of a second language, and (3) applying and communicating detailed linguistic knowledge in a range of settings. The course will be of interest to any student who wishes to learn more about language and is an essential foundation for further studies in linguistics.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. describe structural aspects of language in detail (e.g., speech sounds, words and sentences);
2. apply a range of linguistic analytical techniques to diverse languages;
3. demonstrate in depth understanding of how the systems of a language interact with each other to connect meaning to form;
4. undertake guided research into topics in human language;
5. communicate about language and linguistics to specialist and general audiences.

Research-Led Teaching

The data discussed in the lectures and the tutorials will include primary data collected as part of lecturers' and/or tutors’ own fieldwork or that of other colleagues. The students will therefore have the opportunity to attempt original analysis of real research data.

Additional Course Costs

Students will be expected to obtain access to the assigned textbook which can be purchased new from Harry Hartog (Kambri, ANU) or other booksellers.

Required Resources

The textbook for the course is Genetti, Carol (editor). 2019. How languages work. Second edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Recommended Resources

Refer to Wattle for recommended resources.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Verbal feedback will be provided on weekly tutorial preparation tasks and on assignments (weeks 7 & 12) during tutorials. Solutions to weekly tutorial preparation tasks will be posted on Wattle after all tutorials have taken place for that week.
• The solution for each analytical assignment will be revealed when marks are released. A marking rubric will be used to assess the essay.
• The opportunity for further individual verbal feedback will be available during office hours or by appointment on any assignment, tutorial problem or the final exam.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction to the course What is language? What is linguistics?	None.
2	Phonetics 1: Introduction & articulationPhonetics 2: IPA	None.
3	Phonetics 3: Syllables & suprasegmentalsPhonology 1: Phonemes & phonemic analysis	Tutorial Preparation Task 1 due at the start of the week.
4	Phonology 2: Phonemes & phonemic analysis (continued)Phonology 3: Morphophonology	Tutorial Preparation Task 2 due at the start of the week.
5	Phonology 4: Phonological typology & sound changePhonology 5: Signed & written language	Tutorial Preparation Task 3 due at the start of the week.
6	Morphology 1: Words & morphemes Morphology 2: Morphological analysis	Tutorial Preparation Task 4 due at the start of the week.Assignment 1 due
7	Syntax 1: Basic concepts & word classesSyntax 2: Constituent analysis & phrase structure	Tutorial Preparation Task 5 due at the start of the week.
8	Syntax 3: Basic word order, core arguments, transitivity & alignment systemsSyntax 4: Review of Syntax 1-3	Tutorial Preparation Task 6 due at the start of the week.Assignment 2 due
9	Syntax 5: Semantic roles & syntactic ambiguitySyntax 6: Morphological & syntactic typology	Tutorial Preparation Task 7 due at the start of the week.
10	Semantics 1: Meaning in LanguageSemantics 2: Semantic relations	Tutorial Preparation Task 8 due at the start of the week.
11	Language vitality & Indigenous languages of Australia and the PacificLanguage across space and time	Tutorial Preparation Task 9 due at the start of the week.Assignment 3 due
12	Revision: ‘Pulling it all together’; Language vs other semiotic systems	Tutorial Preparation Task 10 due at the start of the week.

Tutorial Registration

Use My Timetable to enrol in the tutorial for this course.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Participation and Tutorial Preparation Tasks	5 %	1, 2
Analytical assignment 1 – Phonetics and phonology	15 %	1, 2, 3
Analytical assignment 2 – Morphosyntax	25 %	1, 2, 3
Essay	15 %	1, 2, 4
Final Examination	40 %	1, 2, 3

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Attendance at lectures and tutorials is expected. While lecture materials and recordings will be made available electronically, there is no guarantee against technical issues that occasionally cause recordings to fail, audio to be inaudible, or other issues. Comments or questions by students may also not be audible on the recording.

There is no formal mark for “participation”, but students who attend regularly and participate fully by asking questions, attempting to answer questions, taking good notes, and doing the readings almost always get the highest marks on the assessment tasks.

Assessment Task 1

Participation and Tutorial Preparation Tasks

Tutorial Preparation Tasks (practice data analysis problems) will contribute to 5% of your grade. Students who show evidence of a satisfactory level of work on at least five of these problems, and attend the tutorial in which they are discussed, will be awarded up to 1 point per problem to a maximum of 5 points. Refer to the Course Assessment Book on Wattle for further details.

Assessment Task 2

Analytical assignment 1 – Phonetics and phonology

Some data (language examples from unknown languages) will be presented and questions asked that require students to apply concepts learned in class to these data. Students will need to be able to identify phonetic features of sounds in English and/or non-English words, apply the concept of natural classes, and identify phonological rules, using appropriate terminology and notation. Students must complete their assignment independently and not their discuss answers with any other student. Collusion will be treated in accordance with CASS academic dishonesty policy. Refer to the Course Assessment Book on Wattle for further details.

Due: Week 6, value: 15%

Assessment Task 3

Analytical assignment 2 – Morphosyntax

Some data (language examples from unknown languages) will be presented and questions asked that require students to apply concepts learned in class to these data. Students will need to be able to segment words into their meaningful parts, identify word classes, identify morphological rules and describe these concepts using appropriate linguistic terminology and notation. Students will also need to be able to identify syntactic constituents, draw tree diagrams and explain how these relate to the interpretation of phrases, and identify and explain the way an unknown language codes its argument structure. Students must complete their assignment independently and not their discuss answers with any other student. Collusion will be treated in accordance with CASS academic dishonesty policy. Refer to the LING8004 Course Assessment Book on Wattle for further details.

Due: Week 11, value: 25%

Assessment Task 4

Essay

The short essay (approx. 1500 words) requires students to read more deeply about some aspect of human language and demonstrate that they have understood what they have read as well as evaluate different positions. Specific instructions will be made available in week 7. The essay must be the student's own work and may not have been submitted for any other course concurrently or in the past. Collusion will be treated in accordance with CASS academic dishonesty policy. Refer to the Course Assessment Book on Wattle for further details.

Due: 28 May 2024, value: 15%

Assessment Task 5

Final Examination

There is a final examination worth 40% during the examination period. Students are responsible for ensuring that they are present during the scheduled examination time and should therefore not plan any travel for the examination period until after the examination timetable has been finalised. Refer to the Course Assessment Book on Wattle for further details.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students