Faculty of Arts Linguistics and applied linguistics

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Faculty of Arts

Table of Contents

1. Prerequisites
2. Requirements for a major
3. Structuring a major
    3.1. Core subjects
    3.2. Optional subjects
4. Honours entry
5. Honours requirements
    5.1. Pure honours
    5.2. Combined honours
6. Further study
7. Career opportunities
8. For more information
Subject Lists
    First year subjects
    Second/third year subjects
    Third/fourth year subjects
    Fourth year subjects
    Subjects not offered in 2002
        Second/third year subjects not offered in 2002
        Third/fourth year subjects not offered in 2002

The Department of Linguistics and Applied Linguistics is a leader in its field within Australia, offering a unique array of specialisations in descriptive, theoretical linguistics and applied linguistics, English language and cross-cultural communication. The program provides rigorous theoretical and practical training designed to enhance students' analytical skills and ability to succeed in careers in which clear, independent and creative thinking are essential. These skills are highly valued by employers. Studies have shown that graduates of linguistics and applied linguistics are amongst the most highly paid of all arts graduates.

Teaching and research utilises state-of-the-art technology and innovative multimedia applications. The department has a world-class phonetics laboratory housing specialised digital speech-analysis equipment and software. Digital media and on-line resources are used to analyse linguistic data and investigate a variety of issues in language studies. Students have the opportunity to create their own web site for the publication of research and project-based assessment and are invited to publish articles in the department's student journal Melbourne Papers in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics.

Linguistics is the study of language in all its aspects. The major branches of the discipline include semantics, phonetics and phonology, syntax, morphology and sociolinguistics. It provides a methodology for exploring universal or culture-specific ways in which languages of the world are structured and used. Linguistics also involves investigation of language variation over time and between different societies.

Applied linguistics focuses upon the development of policy and professional practice in a range of language-related areas. Drawing on general linguistics as well as areas such as anthropology, sociology and psychology, applied linguistics examines issues such as second language acquisition, language curriculum design and methodology, language testing and assessment, speech pathology and language use in the community.

1. Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for first year subjects in linguistics and applied linguistics.

The prerequisite for certain second/third year subjects in linguistics and applied linguistics is the completion of a specified first year subject in linguistics and applied linguistics, normally 175-004 Introduction to Language.

A number of subjects are open to second/third year students who have not completed first year linguistics and applied linguistics subjects. Exemptions may also be granted where second/third year linguistics and applied linguistics subjects are taken as part of an approved interdepartmental program with its own entry requirements.

The prerequisite for a third/fourth year subject in linguistics and applied linguistics is usually two second/third year subjects in linguistics and applied linguistics (25 points).

Some subjects may have additional prerequisites. Students should check the particular subject entry for further details.

2. Requirements for a major

A major in linguistics and applied linguistics usually consists of nine 12.5 subjects, totalling 112.5 points. It comprises:

• two first year subjects in linguistics and applied linguistics (25 points), which must include 175-004 Introduction to Language (12.5 points) and;

• second/third year subjects in linguistics and applied linguistics (totalling 87.5 points). These include at least five core subjects plus additional subjects according to area of concentration. See Structuring a major for details.

Students may choose to concentrate their major in one of the following areas:

• general linguistics

• applied linguistics

• sociolinguistics

3. Structuring a major

3.1. Core subjects

Students who wish to concentrate on particular areas within their linguistics and applied linguistics major must comply with the following additional requirements:

3.2. Optional subjects

4. Honours entry

The prerequisites for entry to fourth year honours in linguistics and applied linguistics are:

• completion of all the requirements for the BA and;

• completion of a major in linguistics and applied linguistics and;

• an average grade of H2A or higher over the second/third year subjects within the major.

Entry to honours must be approved by the linguistics and applied linguistics honours coordinator and the Faculty of Arts honours course adviser.

As with a major in linguistics and applied linguistics, there are three possible streams of specialisation in honours:

• general linguistics

• applied linguistics

• sociolinguistics

Generally, students choose an honours stream that continues their major stream of specialisation.

Entry to honours must be approved by the linguistics and applied linguistics honours coordinator.

5. Honours requirements

Honours coordinator: Dr Janet Fletcher (Semester One); Associate Professor Nick Evans (Semester Two)

5.1. Pure honours

Students undertaking pure honours in linguistics and applied linguistics must complete:

• 175-515 Linguistics & Applied Linguistics Thesis or 175-532 Linguistics & Applied Ling. Thesis (MYE) (37.5 points) and;

• five honours subjects in linguistics and applied linguistics (62.5 points), including at least two fourth year honours subjects.

5.2. Combined honours

Students undertaking combined honours in linguistics and applied linguistics and another area of study must complete:

• 175-515 Linguistics & Applied Linguistics Thesis or 175-532 Linguistics & Applied Ling. Thesis (MYE) (37.5 points) and;

• two honours subjects in linguistics and applied linguistics (25 points), including at least one fourth year honours subject and;

• three honours subjects in the combined area of study (totalling 37.5 points).

or

• honours thesis in the combined area of study (37.5 points) and;

• two honours subjects in the combined area of study (totalling 25 points) and;

• three honours subjects in the linguistics and applied linguistics (37.5 points) including at least one fourth year honours subject.

6. Further study

A BA with a major in linguistics, applied linguistics or sociolinguistics can lead to a Graduate Diploma in Arts (Linguistics and Applied Linguistics), a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Linguistics and Applied Linguistics), or combined with professional training or relevant work experience can lead to a Master of Applied Linguistics.

An honours degree in linguistics, applied linguistics or sociolinguistics can lead to various postgraduate courses: Master of Applied Linguistics, Master of Japanese Applied Linguistics, Master of Linguistics by advanced seminars and shorter thesis, Master of Applied Linguistics by advanced seminars and shorter thesis, Master of Arts by research (in linguistics or in applied linguistics), and Doctor of Philosophy.

7. Career opportunities

Employers seek individuals with the ability to express themselves clearly, to solve novel problems, and to present their solutions in a clear and accessible form. These skills are central to the study of linguistics and applied linguistics. Students of linguistics and applied linguistics gain skills in analysing language, an enhanced understanding of how language is learnt, how people communicate and how language is used in the community.

8. For more information

Department of Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
Fifth Floor, Arts Centre
The University of Melbourne
Victoria 3010
Tel: +61 3 8344 5488
Email: enquiries@linguistics.unimelb.edu.au
Web: http://www.linguistics.unimelb.edu.au

First year subjects

175-004 Introduction to Language
175-005 English: Its Structure and History
175-006 Cross-Cultural Communication

Second/third year subjects

175-008 Language & Media
175-009 First Language Acquisition
175-010 Second Language Learning and Teaching
175-011 Discourse & Pragmatics
175-014 Phonetics
175-015 Syntax
175-016 Semantics
175-017 Historical Linguistics
175-019 Language & Society
175-021 Grammar of English
175-036 Languages of the World
175-042 Cross-Cultural Communication Project
175-044 Conflict, Culture and Language
116-023 Introduction to Romance
110-049 Chinese Linguistics

Third/fourth year subjects

175-420 Advanced Cross-Cultural Communication
175-425 Morphology
175-428 Linguistics/Applied Linguistics Topics A
175-429 Linguistics/Applied Linguistics Topics B
175-442 Englishes in the World

Fourth year subjects

175-515 Linguistics & Applied Linguistics Thesis
175-519 Current Issues in Applied Linguistics B
175-532 Linguistics & Applied Ling. Thesis (MYE)
175-402 Linguistics & Applied Linguistics 4A
175-403 Linguistics & Applied Linguistics 4B
175-406 Linguistics & Applied Linguistics 4C
175-407 Linguistics & Applied Linguistics 4D
175-408 Issues in Linguistics Research
175-507 Quantitative Methods in Language Studies
116-450 Topics in French Syntax and Semantics

Subjects not offered in 2002

Second/third year subjects not offered in 2002

Third/fourth year subjects not offered in 2002

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