Subject Descriptions

Anthropology

Discusses basic anthropological concepts using appropriate terminology and explores how these concepts contribute to an understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures. Introduces participants to tools and methods useful for recording anthropological data and observations of cultures other than their own.

Community Based Orthography Design

Introduces the factors which affect orthography design and models how to involve communities in the design process. (Corequisites: Intro to Literacy, Intro to Phonology, Intro to Sociolinguistics ) At Diploma level this subject is included in Intro to Phonology.

Discourse and Pragmatics

Develops knowledge and skills which are crucial for linguistic analysis and translation. Students will analyse text types and study topics such as structure, participant tracking, coherence, cohesion, foregrounding and backgrounding, focus and topicalisation, speech acts, implicature and metaphor (Prerequisite: Introduction to Grammar).

Ethnographic Research

Applies primary cultural research methodologies to the ethnographic study of cultures. (Prerequisite: Anthropology)

Field Methods for Applied Linguistic Fieldwork

Provides experience of working with a speaker of another language to obtain and manage natural accurate language data for language learning and linguistic research (Prerequisites: Language Awareness, Language Learning, Phonetics, Intro to Phonology, and either Intro to Grammar or Intro to Literacy).

Field Methods for Language Documentation

Provides experiences of working with speakers of another language to develop skills in obtaining and managing accurate language data and electronic archiving (Prerequisites: Language Learning, Language Awareness, Phonetics, Anthropology).

Field Methods for Research

Prepares students for a short-term field research project by developing further skills in language learning, data elicitation and data management, and the use of software appropriate to their proposed research project. (Prerequisites: Language Learning, Language Awareness, Phonetics, and one or more Semester 1 subjects relevant to the proposed research project)

Introduction to Grammar

Analyses and describes morphological and syntactic structures of languages (Prerequisite: Language Awareness).

Introduction to Literacy

Examines various understandings of literacy and explores notions of how to develop appropriate literacy programs and transfer materials for the developing reader in minority language contexts.

Introduction to Phonology

Explores the analysis and description of basic phonological structures of languages and the linguistic implications for alphabet design (Prerequisite: Phonetics).

Introduction to Sociolinguistics

Identifies and assesses sociolinguistic factors which influence the planning, implementation and evaluation of a language program.

Language Awareness

Analyses and identifies components of languages at an initial level to help those involved in language learning and in preliminary grammatical analysis.

Language Development Issues

Investigate a particular aspect of language description and development of choice, under the supervision of a staff member. Based on intensive readings selected from subject areas within the course. (Prerequisite: 24cp (normally summer school subjects) and permission of Principal)

Language Learning

Explores a range of language learning strategies and techniques that may be useful in learning to speak another language regardless of whether or not the language is well documented.

Literacy Education

Discusses and evaluates the major theories of literacy acquisition and assists in developing a multidimensional framework. Explores effective teaching strategies that can be used to encourage literacy acquisition in minority language contexts. Examines current trends and issues in vernacular literacy relating to literacy education. (Prerequisite: Introduction to Literacy)

Literacy Materials

Applies literacy education theories to curriculum planning and development, materials development and lesson planning for emergent readers. (Prerequisite: Introduction to Literacy. Co requisite : Literacy Education)

Literacy Practicum

Gives students an experience of tutoring an adult or child who wishes to improve their literacy abilities in a language of their choice. This involves needs assessment, materials development and assessment of learning (Prerequisite: Introduction to Literacy; Corequisites: Literacy Materials, Literacy Education) At Diploma level this subject is included within Literacy Materials and Literacy Education.

Phonetics

Introduces articulatory phonetics and gives practice in distinguishing, producing and writing sounds in other languages using the International Phonetic Alphabet.

Phonological Analysis

Assists in the analysis and description of the phonological system of collected language data (Prerequisite: Introduction to Phonology).

Phonological Theory

Develops further understanding and skills in analysing phonological structures of languages through looking at more complex data and theoretical developments. (Prerequisite: Introduction to Phonology.)

Research Project

Students will conduct a field language research project, and produce a document of scholastic and practical value for other linguists based on their research. This may include such projects as linguistic analysis, dictionary preparation, literacy education, orthography design, software development, or other topics. (Prerequisites: All Summer School and Semester 1 subjects or their equivalents appropriate to the area of research, and Field Methods for Research)

Seminar Topics

Attend 10-15 professional seminars related to Language Planning and Development work. Develop a Seminar portfolio that includes seminar summaries, reflective journal entries and reading responses related to the topics presented.

Training and Planning in Multicultural Contexts

Discusses current theories of learning, training and mentoring relevant to adult education in intercultural contexts. Explores how these theories could be applied in language development projects in minority language contexts. Discusses and models how to work on a language development project team to design a strategic plan for a particular community. (Prerequisites: Anthropology, Intro to Sociolinguistics )

Translation and Semantics

Identifies the general principles and methods of meaning-based translation and discusses how to apply these to potential problem areas in various texts. Discusses the semantic structures of language and principles and methods used in the discovery of meaning in languages. Analyses patterns of logical relations and cohesion in texts. (Prerequisite: Language Awareness)