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Level 1 - 12 credits - autumn term
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Q3030 Approches to Meaning in English course outline 2009-10
Course description
Course outline
In this course, exploration of word meaning introduces you to general linguistic concepts, terminology, methods and resources, while developing skills in linguistic analysis, research and argumentation. You will investigate meaning from psychological, social, historical, theoretical, and descriptive perspectives. Questions that may be considered include: what do you know when you know a word? Where is meaning located (in the word, society, or the mind)? How many meanings can a word have? How do meanings change? You will explore such questions in small, individual research projects.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, a successful student should be able to demonstrate:
1) an understanding of distinct levels of linguistic description (sound, meaning, grammar, etc.);
2) an understanding of basic concepts relating to English words and meaning (lexicon, semantics/pragmatics, reference, denotation/connotation, prototype, compositionality, lexicalisation, lexicography, necessary & sufficient conditions, etc.);
3) an understanding of some of the applications of linguistic analysis (social, historical, psychological, pedagogical, lexicographical);
4) discipline-specific skills in linguistic definition and analysis, the use of linguistic reference tools (dictionaries, etc.), finding linguistic resources in the library (beyond the reading list), accessing linguistic data resources and collecting linguistic data, and representing linguistic data in writing.
Assessments
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 100.00% | |
| Portfolio | Spring Week 2 | 100.00% |
Resit mode of assessment
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Portfolio (3000 words) | Summer Vacation Week 10 Thu 16:00 | 100.00% |
Timing
Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.
Weighting
Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.
Teaching methods
| Term | Method | Duration | Week pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Term | SEMINAR | 1 hour | 1111111111 |
| Autumn Term | LECTURE | 1 hour | 1111111111 |
How to read the week pattern
The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.
Contact details
Dr Alistair Davies
Assess convenor
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/english/profile655.html
Dr Anu Koskela
Assess convenor, Convenor
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/english/profile101900.html