English Linguistics (Distance Learning) - MA

This introductory module is designed to provide you with theoretical knowledge and practical experience in linguistic analysis which will serve as the foundations for your study throughout the programme. The module assumes no prior knowledge of linguistic analysis and is designed to guide you through the process step by step. During the module, you will examine the main features of the pronunciation of English and of the grammar and vocabulary of the language. You will gain experience in phonetic transcription, and in the analysis of words (morphology) and of sentences (syntax). The module provides you with a framework and a terminology for talking about and describing key features of English phonology and lexicogrammar.

This module is designed to help you develop core skills in linguistic research which are vital for your work on the subsequent optional modules and dissertation, and which are also transferable to the workplace or further study. During the course of the module, you will be guided through the whole research process, from conducting a literature review and developing a hypothesis, to collecting and analysing data and writing it up in an appropriate way. The module also covers important practical topics such as academic referencing, fieldwork techniques and research ethics.

The purpose of the module is to enable you to undertake a sustained, in-depth and theoretically informed research project exploring an area that is of personal interest to you. It is important that we can support you appropriately, so you will be guided towards choosing a research topic which is relevant to your discipline and in which your lecturers have expertise. The outcome may take the form of a written dissertation or a practical outcome with accompanying reflective, critical and contextual material. The main consideration when choosing your topic is that it must be relevant to your programme and you should consider the relevance of this topic to your future academic or professional development.

In this module you will examine the patterns, organisation and functions of spoken discourse. You will discover what linguistic structures operate in conversation and other types of spoken discourse and how personal and social factors influence the strategies speakers employ in interaction. You will acquire an understanding of some of the theoretical and methodological approaches that have been taken in Linguistics and associated disciplines to the analysis of spoken discourse, including discourse analysis, conversational analysis, speech acts, and the ethnography of speaking. The analyses of various features of spoken interaction are included, such as turn-taking, topic control, intonation, discourse markers and repetition. Throughout, you are encouraged to relate the theoretical concepts to data you have collected yourself.

This module introduces you to the study of the history of English Language and the major periods of English from pre-1000 through to the present day. You will examine a range of texts from different authors and genres and learn to identify and discuss the primary characteristics of English at different points in time. The module will develop your understanding of how to analyse language data in a robust and methodologically sound way and how to use your linguistic knowledge to critically evaluate literary and non-literary data, alongside equipping you with the skills, insights and appropriate theoretical approaches necessary to analyse and describe changes in the structure of the English Language. You will also focus on the ways in which major historical developments have influenced linguistic variation and change.

The module provides an introduction to the study of Second Language Acquisition, with particular focus on the main theoretical constructs used in current research and pedagogical approaches. You will study a range of approaches to second language acquisition and develop the knowledge and skills to critically evaluate research methods and potential pedagogical applications. You will be able to use terminology appropriately, synthesize the most relevant ideas, and evaluate the advantages and weaknesses of various research studies. You will develop the understanding and knowledge necessary for interdisciplinary research at the intersection of linguistics, cognitive studies and pedagogy.

This module will introduce you to the field of sociolinguistics and the wider study of language in society, drawing on a range of foundational and contemporary literature. You will learn about the different approaches within sociolinguistics, including qualitative and quantitative methods, alongside an understanding of how language varies according to social factors such as class, gender, and age. You will design and deliver a research project investigating a sociolinguistic topic of your own choosing and will develop a thorough grounding on how to collect sociolinguistic data in an ethically responsible way and how to analyse and present your research findings. This module will ultimately allow you to critically evaluate different approaches to the study of linguistic variation and apply your knowledge in designing a research project to investigate language in society.