EL5017 - The sounds and structures of English

The module will be delivered through a combination of interactive lectures and seminars. Key aspects of linguistic analysis will be introduced in lectures, supported by seminars that allow further group working and discussion of set tasks. All topics and debates within the module will be supported by reference to relevant literature, which you will read outside of class to further develop your knowledge and understanding of the field.

In addition to learning during taught hours with the module tutor, you will be expected to undertake both directed and independent learning. Directed learning generally will take the form of preparation for seminars where you will be expected to contribute to group work and full class discussion. Independent learning generally will take the form of further reading and investigation, the consolidation of seminar notes, and revision/preparation for the assessment of the module.

All learning materials and tasks will be posted on the eLP (e-learning portal) to facilitate full participation in the module. Additionally, you will receive formative feedback on your ideas and understandings throughout the module. The module’s final, summative assessment will also provide an opportunity for learning.

The module aims to introduce you to a branch of linguistic theory that you are unlikely to have previously encountered. Thus, lectures, seminars and tasks will develop your academic knowledge and skills, to help you attain the module learning outcomes. Your academic development will also be facilitated through engagement with the set readings and by talking with your peers and the module tutor about your understanding of this literature (i.e. reading around the topic, and discussing and reflecting upon what you have read).

The module handbook provides details of lectures, seminars, reading lists and assessment criteria; lecture materials are made available on the eLP (see above). The module tutor will be available in lectures and seminars, as well as in ‘Feedback and consultation hours’ (i.e. ‘office hours’) and on email, to discuss any queries or concerns you have about how to excel academically on the module. Formative feedback will be on-going throughout seminar/workshop activities.

In addition, you have a designated Guidance Tutor throughout the entire duration of your programme. The academic side of the Guidance Tutor’s role includes: monitoring your ongoing academic progress; helping you to develop self-reflection skills necessary for continuous academic development; directing you to further available services which can help them with their academic skills (e.g. Library’s Skills Plus). You are advised to see your Guidance Tutor at least twice each semester to review your academic progress..

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the principles and parameters model of syntax and complementary descriptive and theoretical phonological and morphological perspectives.
2. Show an ability to describe intermediate phenomena in the syntax, morphology and phonology of English

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
Learning outcome 1
3. Demonstrate the capacity to engage with scientific enquiry and theory building using logic and critical reasoning.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
4. Demonstrate intellectual openness to linguistic theories.
5. Utilise enhanced skills conforming to relevant standards of good academic practice

Formative assessment

1. You will present your ideas during seminars and will receive formative feedback from the module tutor and peers on any perspectives you share Such formative feedback will enable you to clarify your understanding of linguistic theory.
Formative assessments address MLOs in ‘Knowledge and Understanding’, ‘Intellectual/Professional skills & abilities’, and ‘Personal Values Attributes’.

Summative (graded) Assessments
1. Syntactic analysis of a sentence
2. Morpho-phonological sentence analysis
(Word limits flexible, dependent on the complexity of the model sentence you choose to write about; sentence selection and decision-making outlined formatively in class).
3. Final exam
For the first two assessments you will have to choose an appropriate sentence and provide a linguistic analysis. In the final exam you will be required to answer two questions, one on the syntax of English and one on morpho-phonology.

The essay assessment will be part of the learning process, and addresses all five MLOS.

Feedback will be provided through comments on the scripts.

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Please find details of this module in the other sections provided.