Disciplines and areas of study
Linguistics
Program Coordinator: Dr Tonya Stebbins
Linguistics, broadly defined, is the analytical study of language and communication. It is concerned with human language in general, as well as with the structure of individual languages. As a discipline, it examines the design of language, how language relates to thought, how it functions in communication, how it functions in society, how it develops and changes, and how it is acquired and learned.
The main branches of study include applied (the application of linguistics to other domains such as teaching), historical (the study of language change), morphology (the study of word formation), phonetics (the study of sounds), phonology (the study of sound systems and syllable structure), psycholinguistics (the study of child language acquisition and processing), semantics (the study of meaning), sociolinguistics (the sociology of language and the study of variation in language related to social function), syntax (the study of sentence formation), and discourse analysis (the study of the organisation of language in communication).
The Linguistics Program emphasises basic techniques of description and analysis, empirically based inductive theoretical linguistics and applications of linguistics. The staff has expertise in a wide range of language areas. These include Australian Aboriginal languages; English (including Australian and other varieties of English); European languages; and the languages of China, South East Asia, and Papua New Guinea.
Linguistics is of interest to students of languages, archaeology, history, cognitive science, computer science, English, philosophy, politics, psychology, anthropology, gender studies, and sociology. Knowledge of linguistics is particularly useful for students interested in foreign and native language teaching. Students who are qualifying for a degree with a major in Aboriginal studies, Ancient Greek, archaeology, Asian studies, Australian studies, Chinese, cognitive science, Italian studies, Japanese, logic, or philosophy should note that some linguistics subjects might be credited to such majors. Students who would find a knowledge of English grammar of use in careers such as teaching should consider taking LIN1NLA The Nature of Language and Communication A, LIN1NLB The Nature of Language and Communication B and LIN2EUG/LIN3EUG English: a user’s guide.
Programs of study
Linguistics Major
To complete a major in linguisitcs students must complete:
- the linguistics core subjects at each year level of their degree.
- 30 credit points at first year level,
- 40 credit points at second-year level and
- at least 60 credit points at third year level of linguistics subjects from the list below.
| Teaching period | Subject title | Subject code |
|---|---|---|
| First year core subjects (15 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | The Nature of Language and Communication A | LIN1NLA |
| TE-SEM-2 | The Nature of Language and Communication B | LIN1NLB |
| Second year core subjects (20 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | Phonetics & Phonology: the sounds of language | LIN2PHP |
| TE-SEM-2 | Language in Society | LIN2LIS |
| Third year core subjects (20 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | Syntax: the relationship between meaning and structure | LIN3SYN |
| TE-SEM-2 | Semantics and Pragmatics: the relationship between meaning and use | LIN3SEM |
| Teaching period | Subject title | Subject code |
|---|---|---|
| First year subjects (15 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | The Nature of Language and Communication A | LIN1NLA |
| TE-SEM-2 | The Nature of Language and Communication B | LIN1NLB |
| Second year subjects (20 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | Phonetics & Phonology: the sounds of language | LIN2PHP |
| TE-SEM-2 | Language in Society | LIN2LIS |
| Second or third year subjects (20 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | Discourse Analysis | LIN2DAS/LIN3DAS |
| TE-SEM-2 | English: a user’s guide | LIN2EUG/LIN3EUG |
| TE-SEM-2 | Language Across Time | LIN2LAT/LIN3LAT |
| Third year subjects (20 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | Language Families of the World | LIN3LFW |
| TE-SEM-1 | Reading Course A | LIN3RCA |
| TE-SEM-1 | Syntax: the relationship between meaning and structure | LIN3SYN |
| TE-SEM-2 | Advanced Phonetics | LIN3ADP |
| TE-SEM-2 | Reading Course B | LIN3RCB |
| TE-SEM-2 | Semantics and Pragmatics: the relationship between meaning and use | LIN3SEM |
| Subject title | Subject code |
|---|---|
| Second or third year subjects (20 credit points) | |
| Advanced Phonology | LIN3APH |
| Advanced Sociolinguistics | LIN3ASL |
| Intercultural Communication | LIN2CCC/LIN3CCC |
| Language in Asia | LIN2LIA/LIN3LIA |
| Morphosyntax | LIN3MPS |
Honours
The Linguistics Program welcomes applications from suitably qualified students for honours and postgraduate study in linguistics. Students wishing to enter the fourth year honours course in linguistics should normally have completed at least a 130-credit point major with a B average. Students who have not fulfilled this requirement should see the Honours Year Coordinator.
The Linguistics Honours Program consists of two coursework components and a thesis of 15000 words. A leaflet giving details of the honours program is available from the program office.