Language Universals and Linguistic Typology - LING2680

 
Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
 
 
School:  School of Languages and Linguistics
 
 
Course Outline: School of Languages and Linguistic Course Outlines
 
 
Campus: Kensington Campus
 
 
Career: Undergraduate
 
 
Units of Credit: 6
 
 
EFTSL: 0.12500 (more info)
 
 
Indicative Contact Hours per Week: 3
 
 
Enrolment Requirements:
 
 
Prerequisite: LING1000 or LING1500
 
 
Equivalent: LING2612
 
 
Fee Band: 1 (more info)
 
 
Further Information: See Class Timetable
 
 

Description


Examines language universals and linguistic typology. Explores linguistic categories across a wide range of languages, including word classes, case, transitivity, negation, complex predicates and complement clauses, among others. Also examines language-internal and language-external explanations for language universals.


Learning Outcomes


By the end of the course, students should be able to:
  • Identify basic conceptual and empirical issues in the study of the unity and diversity of language focusing on morphology and syntax
  • Develop basic analytical skills in typological linguistics covering lexical and grammatical categories across a wide range of languages
  • Differentiate among formal and functional approaches to the study of language variation.

Assessment


  • Class presentation and report - 20%
  • Two problem sets - 20% (10% each)
  • Class test - 20%
  • Final assignment - 40%