English Language and Linguistics BA Honours

This is a module where teaching and learning takes place in small groups, with you meeting your tutor on a weekly basis. The content of the tutorials will be tailored to the group but will be used to develop both academic study and research skills and small formative exercises working towards the final individual project report.

This module provides a core introduction to the field of Linguistics on this degree and focuses on language as a formal system, and language as behaviour. In terms of form, the module provides a foundation in the cross-linguistic structure of words (morphology), sentences (syntax), sounds (phonetics), and meaning (semantics), while considering different types of languages around the world (typology). With respect to language as behaviour, the module introduces the study of language in society (sociolinguistics and language contact) and the way in which language is used in conversational situations (pragmatics).

This module gives you the knowledge and skills necessary to start analysing and describing the English language systematically (according to grammar, morphology and phonology) and prepares you for future modules at Level 5. The module develops your theoretical awareness of spoken and written mediums, how they are structured, and how they can be used as linguistic data. It also gives you a thorough understanding of the concepts of style, register and genre, and introduces you to some of the main historical developments of the English language over time.

This module examines English around the world as an international, intra-national, native, second, and foreign language. It considers the distinctive features of these varieties and the social and cultural implications of English as a global language. British varieties of English may be referred to as examples in the introductory part of the module but are not the main content or part of the assessment.

This module investigates how language works in texts, and how texts produce their effects through examination of writers’ lexical and grammatical choices. Students analyse how writers’ linguistic choices indicate the attitudes of characters and narrators, and represent characters as powerful or passive. Students discover how analysing the language of literary texts differs from the approaches taken by literary scholars.

This core module is central to the English Language and Linguistics, supporting you in the development of your ability to synthesise your studies on your core and option modules throughout your second year of study. Teaching and learning take place in small groups, with you meeting your tutor on a weekly basis. The content of the tutorials is partly tailored to the needs of the group, and partly used to develop a wider synoptic engagement with the degree as a whole (working towards the final year dissertation), and nurturing study skills and skills relevant to the future workplace.

This module examines the underlying similarities and differences between languages, within specific parameters. The focus is on phonetics and phonology, which describe and investigate the sound systems of language, as well as syntax, the study of sentence structure. The module is fundamentally cross-linguistic, examining data from multiple languages across various language families. The description and explanations of linguistic phenomena are informed by generative theory.

The module provides you with the necessary tools to analyse spoken texts in terms of the phonological, lexical, morphosyntactic, and discourse features they display. Texts are analysed as products of discourse, that is, language that is situated in, and takes significance from, particular times and places, and is constructed with a particular purpose.

The module gives you an overview of the history of the English language and focuses on specific lexical and syntactic variants present throughout the ages. It considers texts as discourses in order to demonstrate the varied history of English in all its historical forms through to the present day.

This module examines meaning in language, focusing on the core areas of semantics and pragmatics. Semantics explores the meaning of words, phrases and sentences; pragmatics examines how we convey more meaning in conversation than is explicitly said. The description and explanations of linguistic phenomena are informed by current theoretical ideas within each area that develop students' ability to summarise, employ and evaluate theory in the analysis of language data.

This module examines the development of different aspects of language in the early years. Within the module, you will focus on the development of (1) phonological abilities (how children perceive and produce words), (2) syntactic abilities (how children combine words to form phrases and sentences), (3) lexical and semantic abilities (how children build their vocabulary and map words and meanings), and (4) morphological abilities (how children acquire inflections). It also discusses theories which seek to explain the development of these linguistic abilities.

This module focuses on the role of the reader to the process of textual interpretation. You will be introduced to topics in cognitive poetics to examine the ways in which readers combine their real-world knowledge and their understanding of characters to create discourse worlds, and how they respond to cues in texts to build an understanding of text worlds.

This module is an introduction to the theory and practice of learning and teaching and is designed for individuals with little or no teaching experience. You are introduced to major pedagogic theories which have been influential in recent decades and invited to look at them critically. The main currents of contemporary education are explored in relation to practice and extended to broader contexts such as community and outreach education. You are introduced to some techniques commonly used to enhance learning, engagement and inclusion in teaching contexts and in the community. The last sessions of the module will familiarise you with the principles of lesson planning and evaluating teaching.

This module is an independent study module in which you plan and carry out a small year-long research project into a language topic of your choice resulting in the writing of a dissertation. The choice of topic, project planning and final writing up is supported throughout the year by a designated supervisor who meets with you on an individual basis and through regular workshops run by the module leader.

This module runs in Semester 2 and allows you to consider how linguistic theory and description can be applied in different ways. In doing so, it shows how linguistics can be applied to real-world problems and workplace contexts and uses your knowledge about linguistics to do so. You may apply the expert linguistic knowledge required to determine the authorship of texts, for example, with accompanying theoretical and methodological understanding of the processes that enable you to do so.

The module allows you a high degree of flexibility to select subjects ranging from the practice of translation to forensic linguistics whilst maintaining a solid focus on the theoretical, analytical and critical thinking associated with the systematic study of language.

This single semester module runs in Semester 1. It introduces students to further and more recent theoretical tools for linguistic description and analysis with an equal focus on form and meaning. It deepens students’ knowledge and understanding of theoretical ideas across all levels of linguistic analysis (phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics) as well as areas that are informed by and inform the development of linguistic theory including linguistic typology, psycholinguistics, and language documentation.

This module is focused on putting pedagogical theory into practice in educational settings. You'll review some theoretical principles of contemporary learning and teaching. An educational setting will then be identified and appropriate approaches to supporting learning will be explored. You are supported in planning for and in facilitating a short learning activity, which could be for traditional classrooms, for online learning or non-formal education, such as museum outreach or community education. After the activity you'll evaluate and reflect on the learning and teaching that has occurred.

This module allows students to consider how linguistic theory and description can be applied in different ways. In doing so it shows how linguistics can be applied to real-world problems and workplace contexts and uses the students’ knowledge about linguistics to do so. Students may apply the expert linguistic knowledge required to determine the authorship of texts, for example, with accompanying theoretical and methodological understanding of the processes that enable them to do so. The module allows students a high degree of flexibility to select subjects ranging from the practice of translation, to forensic linguistics whilst maintaining a solid focus on the theoretical, analytical and critical thinking associated with the systematic study of language.

This module introduces you to further and more recent theoretical tools for linguistic description and analysis with an equal focus on form and meaning. It deepens your knowledge and understanding of theoretical ideas across all levels of linguistic analysis (phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics) as well as areas that are informed by and inform the development of linguistic theory, including linguistic typology, psycholinguistics, and language documentation.

This is a work experience placement associated with employment with an appropriate employer that you as a graduate might eventually join, such as a small or large business, an arts organisation or a subject-based placement in a school.

Assessment consists of a portfolio which you'll complete. You'll need to source your own placement. Support is provided via three face-to-face teaching sessions: one introductory session, one session focused on the assessment, and one drop-in session to discuss work towards the assessment. You are also strongly encouraged to make full use of the support offered by discussing your placement and coursework with the module leader during the semester. In cases where you are unable to secure a placement by the end of the first week of the semester, or where a placement has fallen through, the University will support and facilitate a change in module.