LING 2047 - Language and Meaning

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2016

The course information on this page is being finalised for 2016. Please check again before classes commence.

This course introduces students to a social theory of language which proposes that grammar is a resource for making meanings. It provides an introduction to Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) and the model of language described within this linguistic tradition. A core element of the course involves studying about the model of language, that is looking in detail at the different elements of systemic functional grammar. This is the practical element of the course, in which the grammar is introduced and students are provided with opportunities to learn and practise its components, particularly at the level of the clause. We will also spend time in considering the application of the grammar to the analysis of text, to see how grammar is used to create meaningful texts. A third component of the course will be to describe the theoretical background of SFL. The broad aim is to demonstrate how the model can be employed in describing, analysing and interpreting how language functions in different contexts, both professional and personal. Students will explore in some detail the language of different text types produced in these different contexts. They will learn the ways in which texts are in fact sensitive to the context in which they are produced, and particularly how different elements within the context impact on and shape language use. We will apply the model of language to explore a range of issues such as: how language varies according to social context and communicative purpose; how language is used to exercise power; how language is used to create, structure and exchange information; and how language is used to represent the world as we see it, that is to represent our `reality?

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Course Details

Course Code	LING 2047
Course	Language and Meaning
Coordinating Unit	Linguistics
Term	Semester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 3 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Prerequisites	At least 12 units of level 1 undergraduate study
Incompatible	LING 2006 & 3006
Assessment	Attendance and participation (10%), mini-quiz (15%) in-class tests x 2 ( 2 x 20%), end of course test (35%)

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr John Walsh

Course Coordinator: Dr John Walsh
Phone: 08 8303 5196 Email: john.walsh@adelaide.edu.au
Campus: North Terrace Room: Napier Building, Room 924

Course Tutor: Ms. Evita Ratcliffe
Phone: 08 8313 1403Email: evita.ratcliffe@student.adelaide.edu.au
Campus: North Terrace Room: Napier Building, Room 912

Communication: Please make initial inquiries for appointments with John and Evita via email.
Consultation: John Walsh, Monday 2.00 – 4.00pm
Evita Ratcliffe, Thursday 12.00 – 1.00pm

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

1	demonstrate a knowledge of the key elements of the SFL model of language
2	understand the nature and the workings of English lexis and grammar
3	demonstrate some understanding of the application of the grammar to text analysis
4	understand how language use and the system of language are related
5	engage confidently with technical discourse and metalanguage
6	describe how language is used to exercise power
7	analyse how language constitutes particular theories of reality
8	use new knowledge to better prepare and deliver coherently and logically argued written assignments
9	critically evaluate their own and others’ written texts
10	engage productively and respectfully with their peers

University Graduate Attributes

No information currently available.

Learning Resources

Required Resources

(Set text to be announced) Students will be expected to purchase a copy of the set text.

Students will be expected to regularly consult the Oxford English Dictionary (OUP 1989; online),

The Linguistics homepage on the Barr Smith Library site has a section on resources for Systemic Functional Linguistics. Click on the following link:

http://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/guide/hum/english/E_shksp.html

Online Learning

Additional course-related material is available through MyUni including: course profile, lecture content, description of assessment tasks, other readings and related materials.
Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

No information currently available.

Workload

No information currently available.

Learning Activities Summary

No information currently available.

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

No information currently available.

Assessment Detail

No information currently available.

Submission

No information currently available.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator