Modern Psycholinguistics 2500-EN-COG-F19
The course draws on experimental psychology, linguistics and neuroscience to help students appreciate the cognitive mechanisms underlying language. How is word meaning represented in the mind? Why is acquiring language in adulthood harder than in childhood? Why do we make speech errors? What is the pattern of language breakdown in dementia or after stroke? What are the effects of having two languages in one mind? What does language learning have to do with “statistical learning” and does it always have to be conscious? These are example issues we are going to discuss.
During the course students see how the methods used to address these questions have developed over time and what state of the art in the field is. They also learn about the opportunities offered by recent advances in neuroimaging. They gradually form their own opinions on selected modern debates and learn to express themselves in a coherent academic essay. Two separate sessions are included in the course devoted to academic writing technique. Through this they develop their skills of evidence-based discussion, debate as well as writing. All of this will be useful not only when writing their dissertations but also later, in any career of their choice.
Type of course
Mode
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course students should be able to:
-formulate and justify their opinions on several enduring debates in psycholinguistics (K_W01, K_W02)
- conduct an in-depth literature overview (K_W01, K_W02, K_U08)
- analyse empirical findings (K_U03, K_U04)
- write up synthesis of experimental findings (K_U02, K_U06)
- present an in-depth discussion of experimental findings (K_U01, K_U03)
- produce a written manuscript (K_U06)
- work well in a group assuming different roles at different stages of a joint
project (class activity) (K_K03)
Assessment criteria
70% of the final grade is the final essay.
15% of the final grade is the practice essay
15% of the final grade is class activity (doing the exercises and quizzes provided, participation in class discussion)
All parts of the course need to be fulfilled.
Attendance is a necessary condition to pass the course. Three absences are allowed. Any additional one requires a note from a doctor or an exceptional personal circumstance. No more than 5 absences are permitted.
Students must respect the principles of academic integrity. Cheating and plagiarism (including copying work from other students, internet or other sources) are serious violations that are punishable and instructors are required to report all cases to the administration.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: