| CODE | LIN2024 | ||||||
| TITLE | From Data to Theory in Linguistics | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Institute of Linguistics and Language Technology | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit familiarises the students with the research process, focusing on two essential stages of the process, namely, analysis and generalisation leading to theory formation. Students are guided through the analysis of linguistic data and encouraged to think about fundamental questions on structure and meaning in linguistics, as well as to apply the tests and practise the various techniques used to answer such questions. Students study in detail the concept of a scientific theory and apply their knowledge of theories and theory formation to specific linguistic data and theories. The study-unit covers the main areas of linguistic analysis and data from a wide variety of languages and language types. Study-unit Aims - to give students the theoretical and practical grounding needed for an understanding of the concept of a scientific theory, in particular as applied to linguistic analysis; - to provide students with with hands-on experience in the empirical analysis of linguistic data and theorising on the basis of observation and analysis; - to help students understand the research process, with an emphasis on an understanding of the relation between empirical data and theory. Learning Outcomes 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - compare and critically evaluate different theories; - appreciate the way in which theories explain empirical facts; - understand the processes of theory formation; - appreciate the complexities of the research process. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - deploy their understanding of theoretical constructs to empirical analysis; - observe and analyse linguistic data; - form generalisations based on their analyses. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings - Chalmers, A.F. 1999. What is this thing called science? (3rd edition). Queensland:University of Queensland - Chapman, S. 2006. Thinking about language: theories of English. New York: Palgrave - Farmer, A.K. & Demers. R.A. 2001. A Linguistics Workbook (4th edition). London: MIT - Fromkin, V. (ed.) 2000 Linguistics: An Introduction to Linguistic Theory Oxford: Blackwell - Newmeyer, F. 1983. Grammatical Theory: its limits and its possibilities. Chicago: University of Chicago Press |
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| RULES/CONDITIONS | In TAKING THIS UNIT YOU CANNOT TAKE LIN1060 OR TAKE LIN2023 | ||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Ray Fabri |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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