Language and the Mind
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| ENGL3051 | English | 3 | 20 | Autumn UK |
- Code
- ENGL3051
- School
- English
- Level
- 3
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Autumn UK
Summary
Speaking, listening, reading, and writing are a complex set of human behaviours that are a fundamental part of our daily lives, yet they remain difficult to fully explain. In an attempt to explain them, this module will look at:
• Is there a language gene?
• What makes human language different from animal communication?
• What is the relationship between thought and language?
• Does everyone talk to themselves? What purpose does our inner voice serve?
• How do we learn language? And does cognition underpin our ability to learn language?
• What do language deficits tell us about language and the brain?
• How do we understand and produce speech, words, and sentences?
• What is the best way to teach children to read?
• How is sign language similar to/different from spoken language?
Target Students
Only available for final-year students on SH and JH English programmes; including 2+2 programmes; students participating in exchanges from the School partner institutions; and final-year students on the Liberal Arts programme.ENGL1002 Studying Language is a pre-requisite for this module.
Co-requisites
Modules you must take in the same academic year, or have taken in a previous year, to enrol in this module:
Classes
- One 2-hour workshop each week for 11 weeks
- One 1-hour lecture each week for 11 weeks
Assessment
- 30% Coursework 1: Two-piece research portfolio (300 words per piece)
- 70% Coursework 2: Presentation of original research (recorded 7-8 minutes)
Assessed by end of autumn semester
Educational Aims
How do humans go from being infants who cannot produce or understand speech to being able to read and talk about Shakespeare – and in some instances even being able to produce great works of literature. We will learn about what it is it about our minds that allow us to do this. To achieve this, the module will discuss the mental processes that are involved in learning, producing, and understanding language.Learning Outcomes
A. Knowledge and Understanding
By the end of this module students will gain knowledge about key issues in first and second language acquisition and processing and the relationship between language and thought and the brain.
B. Intellectual Skills
Students will also be able to predict results and explain data patterns with respect to theories.
C. Transferable Skills
The course will enhance students’ ability to critically evaluate data and theories and present them clearly and concisley.
Conveners
- Prof Kathryn Conklin