LING3307 Australian Aboriginal Languages [UG]

The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of going to press but may be subject to change. For the most up-to-date information click on the Timetable link below.

Credit: 12 points Availability: not available in 2008 (See Timetable) Old unit code: 151.307

Outcomes: Students are able to (1) describe common structural features of Australian languages; (2) describe the main typological parameters (in phonology, morphology and syntax) by which Australian languages can be most usefully compared and classified; (3) explain the significance of the study of Australian languages to general linguistic theory; (4) describe received views on the classification of Australian languages and explain the nature of any controversies surrounding these views; (5) describe important research issues in the contemporary study of Australian languages and critically assess papers addressing these issues; (6) demonstrate a knowledge of the broad ethical and political issues involved in the contemporary study of Australian languages; and (7) recognise areas of applied linguistic work involving Australian languages, especially language maintenance activities.

Content: This unit provides an introduction to the structure of Australian languages and considers current issues in the study of their grammar and history. Special attention is paid to the Aboriginal languages of Western Australia.

Assessment: This comprises assignment work (50 per cent) and a final examination (50 per cent).

Supplementary assessment is not available in this unit except in the case of a bachelor's pass degree student who has obtained a mark of 45 to 49 and is currently enrolled in this unit, and it is the only remaining unit that the student must pass in order to complete their course.

Unit Co-ordinator(s): Dr John Henderson

Location: UWA (Crawley)

Mode: on-campus

Unit Rules:

Prerequisites: LING2201 Phonetics and Phonology and LING2202 Grammatical Theory (Syntax)

Contact hours—lectures: 3 hrs per week; tutorials: 1 hr per week; case presentations: 1 hr per fortnight

Unit Web Page: http://www.linguistics.uwa.edu.au/page/74461

Note: Some unit web pages are still under construction and will be available in 2008.

Assistance with study skills, including English language skills, is available free of charge from Student Services for all enrolled students (see http://www.studysmarter.uwa.edu.au/). Student Services location: Second Floor, South Wing, Guild Village; telephone: 6488 2423.

Books and other material wherever listed may be subject to change. Book lists relating to 'Preliminary Reading', 'Recommended Reading' and 'Textbooks' are, in most cases, available at the University Co-operative Bookshop (from early January) and appropriate administrative offices for students to consult. For first-year units the Bookshop will endeavour to make available photocopies of book lists for individual units. Books marked with an asterisk (*) are available in paperback.