Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2005-2006 (archived)

Module LING3381: FIRST LANGUAGE ACQUISITION BY EXCEPTIONAL INDIVIDUALS

Department: LINGUISTICS AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE

LING3381: FIRST LANGUAGE ACQUISITION BY EXCEPTIONAL INDIVIDUALS

Type Open Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2005/06 Module Cap None. Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • Sentence Structure/Child Language Acquisition (LING1031).

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • The acquisition of language under exceptional circumstances involves two sub-areas.
  • First, we look at the nature of the role played by the input the child receives, by considering the acquisition of language by children for whom input is atypical or delayed (eg.
  • profoundly deaf children not exposed to sign language, children in complete isolation).
  • Then we examine evidence of a domain-specific language module from children with either cognitive or linguistic defects.

Content

  • TOPICS: Fundamentals: innateness, modularity.
  • Internal factors which alter development: brain damage, hemispherectomy, output factors: motoric deficits, damage to the speech apparatus.
  • General Cognitive impairment: Down's syndrome, William's syndrome, Autism.
  • Specific Cognitive (linguistic) Impairment: Specific language impairment, deviant phonology.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • .
Subject-specific Skills:
    Key Skills:

      Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

      • .

      Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

      Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
      Lectures 10 Weekly in term 1 2 hours 20
      Seminars 5 Fortnightly in terms 2 and 3 1 hour 5
      Preparation and Reading 175
      Total 200

      Summative Assessment

      Component: Essay Component Weighting: 50%
      Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
      essay, due end of week 19 2500 wprds 100%
      Component: Examination Component Weighting: 50%
      Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
      unseen exam 2 hours 100%

      Formative Assessment:

      Seminar presentations (based on data collections from children) - terms 2 and 3

      ■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University