Integrated Approaches to Linguistic Analysis

The course is a freestanding course.

The course can be part of the following programme: 1) Master's Programme in Language and Intercultural Communication (H2SIK)

The requirement for admission to the course is a Bachelor's degree, 15 credits of which must be in Linguistics. These 15 credits may consist of linguistically oriented courses either in the major subject Linguistics or in a language subject (English, German, etc), for example sociology of language, grammar, phonetics. In addition, English 6/English level 2/IELTS 6.5/TOEFL 580 is required in all parts, or the equivalent.

The aim of the course is to develop the students' critical skills in the application of different linguistic paradigms for the analysis of naturally occurring linguistic data. This may be different forms of interactional linguistic data such as dialogue, spoken and written discourse, for example via SMS, chat channels, and message boards. The course brings up a number of different theoretical and methodological procedures for linguistic analysis (e.g. cognitive, pragmatically, corpus-based, sociolinguistic, etc) that are put in relation to specific linguistic questions. Each method is presented and discussed with regard to its potential advantages, disadvantages and limitations. The course participants are trained to integrate and synthesise these different strategies to create a more holistic application of different paradigms.

On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• define and explain basic concepts and terminology that is used in linguistic research and show advanced knowledge of specific concepts and terminology in a delimited field;
• give an account of different theoretical analytical tools and methods in linguistic analysis and their fields of use;

Competence and skills

• apply basic qualitative and quantitative research methodologies as well as more specialised methods in a chosen field independently and correctly;
• discuss existing linguistic theories and methods critically; 
• identify how holistic procedures can be implemented and discuss in what ways such methods can contribute to linguistic analyses;

Judgement and approach

• show awareness and an advanced understanding of the role theory and theoretical precision play in linguistic analyses; 
• identify and evaluate the specific challenges of a holistic, integrated strategy for language studies;
• discuss the possibilities and limitations that are associated with different linguistic theories and methods, e.g. experimental methods, corpus methods and formalisation.

The course is an online course. The teaching consists of lectures and seminars on the virtual learning platform.

Language of instruction: English
Teaching, examination and the reading list are in English. To profit by the course, a thorough knowledge of this language is required.

To what extent the student has achieved the aim of the course is tested through written assignments and participation in discussion forum.

Students who have failed any part of the course are given the possibility of a new test. In connection with written assignments, supplementary assignments may be offered in order for the student to achieve a Pass grade. Such a supplementary assignment should be done within the stipulated time (normally five working days after the result has been posted). Otherwise a Fail grade will be reported.

A student who has passed a subtest may not do a new test for a higher grade. Nor do students have the right to withdraw a submitted test and in such a way avoid being graded.

If a student who has failed the same examined component twice, wants to change examiner before the next examination, they should submit a written request to the department responsible for the course. The request shall be granted unless there are special reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6, Section 22 of Higher Education Ordinance).

If the University of Gothenburg has decided that a student is eligible for special study support, the examiner may, provided it is compatible with the aim of the course and it can be done within the scope of available resources, decide to offer the student an adjusted examination or a different examination format.

If the course has been discontinued or substantially revised, a student should be guaranteed to sit the examination on at least three occasions (including the ordinary examination occasion) during a period of at least one year, but not later than two years after the course was discontinued or revised. As regards internships/placement the same as above applies, with the exception that examination is offered on only one occasion.

The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U).

The students are given the opportunity to make a written evaluation of the course. The results of the evaluation are published digitally.

Equality aspects should be taken into account in content, literature, teaching and evaluation.