Handbook 1996 : Faculty of Arts
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Linguistics is the scientific study of human language in all its aspects. It provides a methodology for exploring the structure of particular languages, and it investigates what is universal to all human languages; how languages are different; how language varies over time and between different societies; how language is learnt; and how language is used for human communication.
Language occupies a central position in the human universe, so much so that it is often cited as a major criterion for defining humankind, and the central place of language in human endeavour makes linguistics, as the scientific study of language, relevant to a wide range of other disciplines. The use of language in the coding and processing of knowledge makes linguistics relevant to psychology. As a tool of reasoning it verges on logic and philosophy. As a sophisticated information system it relates to computer science and language-data processing. As a repository of a culture's world view, it is a part of anthropology. As an instrument of social intercourse and a mark of social identity, it interacts with sociology. As a biological subsystem lodged in the brain, it is relevant to neurology. As the primary vehicle of learning and maturation it is important for education. As an expressive medium it is the crux of literature and rhetoric.
The study of linguistics is also a great help to language students, who are encouraged to combine linguistics with the study of a particular language. And students from many other disciplines find it useful to know about linguistics: management students who seek to understand miscommunication in the workplace, law students wishing to understand the syntax, or pin down the meaning of complex legal language, and so on. Subject materials in linguistics are drawn from a wide range of languages, but with a special emphasis on the languages of Australia, Asia and the Pacific in addition to more familiar European languages.
At the University of Melbourne, linguistics may be studied at all levels of an undergraduate degree, from first year through to the honours year. It is possible to take a minor, major or double major sequence in linguistics. Postgraduate courses and research degrees are also offered, and information on these may be found in the Faculty of Arts Graduate and Postgraduate Guide or in the Linguistics Guide available from the departmental office.
There are no specific prerequisites for entry to Linguistics.
Entry to the major normally requires the completion of at least 12.5 points, and preferably 25 points, of first-year Linguistics, but students with excellent grades in other first year subjects may apply to the department for permission for special second-year entry.
A major in Linguistics requires the completion of five subjects at second or third-year level (a total of 83.3 points).
Entry to fourth-year Linguistics requires the completion of all the requirements for the pass degree and normally an average of at least an H2A grade in the best five of the student's second and third-year Linguistics subjects. Combined honours students who do not intend to do their fourth-year thesis in Linguistics may be admitted with an overall grade of H2B in their best five Linguistics subjects. Intending honours students are encouraged to take additional linguistics subjects at second and third year level, to a maximum of ten semester subjects (a total of 167 points). Where students take only five second or third year subjects, special care needs to be taken to ensure that the subjects chosen provide adequate preparation for the thesis topic.
To qualify for entry to honours, students must take at least five single-semester linguistics subjects at second or third year level (a total of 83.3 points). These must include a number of 'core' units, as follows:
The normal program for the pure honours fourth year is four semester subjects plus a thesis. At least two special fourth year seminars are offered annually on topics which vary from year to year. Fourth year students are required to take at least two of these seminars among their four subjects. The other subjects can be selected from the 300/400-level subjects.
The expected length of the thesis is approximately 12,000 words. Students are expected to work steadily on the thesis throughout the year.
For administrative purposes, Pure Honours fourth year students should enrol with the Arts Faculty in the following subjects:
At least two subjects chosen from the following Honours seminars (check with the Department to see which seminars are ofered in a particular year before enrolling):
Up to two subjects chosen from the Department's 300/400 level offerings.
Combined Honours students enrol in two coursework subjects (33.3 points):
At least one subject chosen from the following Honours seminars (check with the Department to see which seminars are offered in a particular year before enrolling):
and up to one subject chosen from the Department's 300/400 level offerings;
and, if undertaking the research thesis in Linguistics:
For further information please contact
The Department of Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
The University of Melbourne
Telephone: (03) 9344 5394
Entry to the following subjects requires the completion of at least 33.3 points of Linguistics at 2nd/3rd year level, in addition to specific prerequisites as specified below.
Objectives: On completion of the honours course in Linguistics students should be able to:
Students taking Pure Honours in Linguistics enrol in the Thesis, at least two Honours seminars, and up to two subjects chosen from the Department's 300/400 level offerings. Students taking combined Honours or Part-time Honours enrol in one or two of the honours seminars, up to one Linguistics 300/400 level subject, and optionally in the Thesis.
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Handbook 1996 : Faculty of Arts
Status: Official 1996 Date created: Oct 10 1995 Last modified: Oct 10 1995 Authorised by: Academic Registrar Email enquiries: Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au
Maintained by: Faculty of Arts
Copyright © University of Melbourne 1995,1996.