PSY20060 The Psychology of Language

Academic Year 2020/2021

Language dominates our cognitive and social activities and psycholinguistics examines the relationship between language and the human mind. We can also employ cognitive neuroscience techniques to understand the relationship between the brain and language. This course will look at what language is, whether it is uniquely human, and how it is related to biological and cognitive processes. The objective of this course is to introduce students to some of the main principles, methods and findings in the study of language.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should :
- Have an appreciation for the breadth of study in the field of language;
- Understand the variety of methods employed in the study of language;
- Demonstrate a knowledge of the functional and biological basis of language;
- Show an awareness of the possible links with other cognitive abilities;
- Evaluate research on theories relating to key issues in psycholinguistics (e.g. the critical period, language and species-specificity, language and thought, speech perception, reading).

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

18
Tutorial

3
Specified Learning Activities

22
Autonomous Student Learning

80
Total

123
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The primary teaching and learning approaches adopted in this module will be lecturing, peer and group work (in tutorials), task-based learning and critical writing evaluation. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

This module will assume that the student has an understanding of basic concepts in psychology and psychological inquiry. It is recommended that students taking this module should have completed at least one module in psychology in first year.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
PSY40350 - Current Issues in Language Dev


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Essay: 2,500 words max Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

70
Assignment: Mid Term MCQ Week 8 n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

30

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

The mid-semester module assessment is an MCQ style exam. Students will receive in-class feedback on how the class performed as a whole in the weeks after the exam has taken place.