From the sounds children make to the way people speak to the elderly; from media spin to everyday conversations, linguistics examines the structure and use of language. This programme takes a lively hands-on approach and, at every stage, focuses on the language that is relevant to you and to modern-day society.
- We specialise both in theoretical linguistics and in sociolinguistics, the inter-relationship between language and society. We pay attention to "real language".
- Our staff contributed to research judged to be of national and international importance in the latest Research Assessment Exercise
Linguistic tools and techniques are taught through using "real-world" examples. You will study Introduction to Linguistics (looking at the sounds and structure of language); Language, Society and Power (introducing a wide range of sociolinguistic issues); and Meaning in Language (an introduction to word meaning).
Second and third years
In your second and third years, core modules give you broad and detailed knowledge of significant areas of linguistic theory, training you in language analysis and in critical valuation of a range of related theories. Our core modules include Discourse and Conversation Analysis, English in its Social Context, and Phonetics and Phonology. Optional modules focus on specialised areas of language study and build on the theories and practical skills acquired in core modules. The options are largely research-led, in that the lecturer will be an active researcher in the area covered. This will provide you with a clear understanding of what is involved in cutting-edge linguistics as well as training you to conduct your own research.
A full-time student should expect to have 12 to 16 contact hours a week. In addition, students are expected to spend time preparing for seminars by reading assigned material and exploring their own areas of interest.
- In-class tests
- Oral presentation
Most of our assessment is through written assignments and presentations, though some in class tests may be given. We use both traditional essays and "hands-on" assessment, the latter involving students collecting their own data and analysing it or conducting their own experiments.