Introduction to Linguistics CLIL 1 3301-L1ILG-CLIL1
The course is meant as an introduction to the study of language, both as a theoretical discipline and an area of knowledge with potential practical applications. The topics under discussion include the issue of the origins and properties of human language, with special focus on comparing human language to other animal communication systems and viewing it from the perspective of the evolution theory. The discussion encompasses also the idea of language as a system of signs, focusing on a definition of the notion of ‘sign’, on a classification of signs, and on considering the phenomena of arbitrariness, iconicity, and indexicality in language. The next topic concerns language viewed as a psychological and neurological phenomenon, that is, issues pertaining to the nature of the human knowledge of a language “stored” in the mind, as well as to the neurological basis of human linguistic functioning. The discussion within the course encompasses also the phenomenon of first language acquisition and the phenomenon of second language acquisition/learning, with emphasis on the question of what theoretical knowledge about the human linguistic functioning may contribute to considerations pertaining to effective methods of foreign language teaching. The topics under consideration further include the issue of variation within a language, that is, the issue of historical language change, as well as the issue of geographical and social variation within a language. The last group of topics concerns selected issues in linguistic morphology, specifically including a discussion of processes of enriching the lexicon, of basic theoretical notions in linguistic morphology, of the main word-formation categories and types of English, and constituting an introduction to analyzing the hierarchical morphological structure of complex words. The whole course also involves extensive practice in the use of spoken and written English for academic purposes, introducing the technicalities of writing an academic text in English, of preparing a multimedia presentation for academic purposes, as well as of developing an academic argument based on empirical evidence and theoretical assumptions. In particular, the course involves in this respect the following issues: properties of academic text style; paragraph structure; introducing the distinction between empirical phenomena under investigation and theoretical tools used in a description an explanation of these phenomena; the use of bibliographical sources; bibliographical references; a bibliography for an academic text; quoting and paraphrasing.
Type of course
Mode
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
Knowledge
Students will be able to:
- K_W02 discuss key terminology, well established methods and theories of linguistics with respect to issues listed in the course description
- K_W04 describe the relation between language and historical and cultural processes on an advanced level, in particular with respect to issues pertaining to historical language change, as well as geographical and social variation within a language
- K_W05 list and discuss the characteristics of English morphology on an advanced level, with special focus on the basic word-formation categories and types of English and analyzing the morphological structure of complex words
- K_W08 describe language evolution on an advanced level, with special focus on English, and give examples of language change within its various subsystems, with focus on phonological, syntactic, and semantic change
- K_W13 define the key factors of second language acquisition and describe second language acquisition models advanced within English linguistics, with focus on how knowledge developed within theoretical linguistics may be applied in developing effective methods of teaching English as a foreign language
Abilities
Students will be able to:
- K_U01 employ the terminology and methodological tools from linguistics with respect to issues listed in the course description
- K_U03 analyze linguistic phenomena and draw generalizations on their basis with the use of the theoretical apparatus introduced in the course
- K_U05 collect information from various sources, critically assess a source and usefulness of information; analyze and draw generalizations on the basis of information so obtained, with respect to issues introduced in the course
- K_U08 plan and organize working alone and in a team to attain goals pertaining to an analysis of phenomena and issues discussed in the course
- K_U09 present knowledge and communicate in a cohesive, precise and linguistically correct manner in the English language at level C1 as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, in written assignments prepared for the course, as well as in oral presentations and free oral discussion of issues considered in the course
Social competences
Students will be ready to:
- K_K03 value responsibility for one’s own work and respect the work of others, adhering to the professional and ethical norms in various projects, in particular with regard to respecting intellectual property in academic work, as well as fair cooperation with other students in team projects and respecting other opinions in class discussions
- K_K04 apply the skill to critically assess communicated content to think and act independently in various social situations, in particular thanks to a deeper understanding of how linguistic communication works
- K_K05 function effectively in social and cultural interactions, through various forms and media, thanks to the ability to express oneself in a cohesive and lucid manner, in particular with respect to issues discussed in the course and thanks to the language skills developed in the course
Education at language level B2+.
Assessment criteria
- attendance
- participation in discussions
- 3 to 5 written assignments (a short summary of an academic text; a written analysis of linguistic data; a description of a linguistic experiment)
- presentations
- midterm test
- final test
6 absences are allowed.
Bibliography
Yule, George. 2006. The study of language. [3rd edn.]. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (selected chapters)
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: