Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2016-2017 (archived)

Module FOUD0687: Understanding Language

Department: Foundation Year (Durham)

FOUD0687: Understanding Language

Type Open Level 0 Credits 10 Availability Available in 2016/17 Module Cap None. Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To introduce students to some basic linguistic principles in order to provide a grounding for future language study in their progressing department.

Content

  • An introduction to morphology
  • An introduction to syntax
  • An introduction to phonetics and phonology

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of this module students will have acquired:
  • An understanding of basic morphological principles (SSK1);
  • An understanding of basic syntactic principles (SSK2);
  • An understanding of basic phonetic and phonological principles (SSK3);
Subject-specific Skills:
  • By the end of the module the student will:
  • Be able to identify and describe a number of morphological and syntactic components (SS1);
  • Be able to identify and describe the sounds of language (SS2);
Key Skills:
  • By the end of the module the student will demonstrate:
  • Evaluation and analysis of data and information in a systematic way (KS1)
  • Critical thinking and argumentation (KS2)
  • Written presentation employing appropriate language and conventions (KS3)

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

  • All teaching will take the form of seminars to encourage the participation of all students;
  • Data exercises will assess: SSK1, SSK2, SSK3, SS1, SS2, KS1, KS2, KS3

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Seminars 10 Weekly 2 hours 20
Preparation and Reading 80
Total 100

Summative Assessment

Component: Data Exercise 1 Component Weighting: 25%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Data Exercise 1 500 words 100% Resubmission
Component: Data Exercise 2 Component Weighting: 25%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Data Exercise 2 500 words 100% Resubmission
Component: Data Exercise 3 Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Data Exercise 3 1000 words 100% Resubmission

Formative Assessment:

Sample data exercises


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