LS2CB-Corpus-based approaches to language description
Module Provider: Applied Linguistics
Number of credits: 10 [5ECTS credits]
Terms in which taught: Autumn
Module Convenor: Dr
P
Thompson
Pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2008/9
Aims:
The module aims to provide a basic training in uses of dedicated computer programmes for the analysis of language use in corpora, and to give students an understanding of the fundamental issues in corpus design and analysis.
Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module it is expected that students will be able to demonstrate:
Additional outcomes:
The module aims to encourage the development of students' critical and evaluative skills. Through group-work and individual tasks students will be encouraged to develop independent thinking, teamwork and presentation skills.
Outline content:
Corpus-based approaches have had an enormous impact on the description of language in use. The analysis of language patterning and frequencies across large quantities of text can reveal features of language use that may not be easily accessible otherwise. This course will provide students with the basic technical skills they need for corpus-analysis, and will also introduce students to the principles upon which corpora are designed, categorised and coded. Students will then be presented with sets of structured activities in which they use corpora to learn about language, before they begin the task of compiling their own corpus and conducting a small-scale study using this corpus
Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Lectures, seminars and practical computer sessions
Contact hours:
| Autumn | Spring | Summer | |
| Lectures | 9 | ||
| Tutorials/seminars | 4 | ||
| Practicals | 5 | ||
| Other contact (eg study visits) | |||
| Total hours | 18 | ||
| Number of essays or assignments | 1 | ||
| Other (eg major seminar paper) |
Assessment:
Coursework
The coursework for this module will comprise a 'reading journal'. Readings and worksheets, focusing on computer techniques and on the analysis of language use in concordance lines, will be distributed each week. The completed worksheets (equivalent to between 200 and 300 words each) will be submitted at intervals during the course.
Students will complete an assignment of 2,500 words or equivalent.
Relative percentage of coursework: 100%
Examinations:
N/a.
Requirements for a pass: A mark of 40% overall.
Reassessment arrangements: Re-examination by coursework to be submitted by 1 September.