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Module Content

This module is designed to provide background for new students of theoretical linguistics. It will introduce Linguistics as part of cognitive science. It will provide background on the philosophical and theoretical foundations of linguistics. It will highlight some key ideas and debates which animate the field. It will make links between the different sub-disciplines of linguistics.

Teaching Delivery

This module is taught by 1 x hr lecture and 1 x 1 hr tutorial in Term 1, and some presentation sessions in Term 2.

Indicative Topics

Indicative lecture topics are based on module content in 2023/24, subject to possible changes.

A selection from the following topics will be covered:

• Linguistics as a branch of the cognitive sciences
• The history of modern linguistics
• Key concepts in theoretical linguistics
• Different approaches to language acquisition
• Biological and ethological approaches to language
• Language vs. Communication
• Mental modularity
• Natural language and the language of thought

Module Aims and/or Objectives

The main module aims are:

- To introduce Linguistics as part of cognitive science.

- To provide background on the philosophical and theoretical foundations of linguistics.

- To make links between the different sub-disciplines of linguistics.

The main module objectives are:

- That students appreciate the scientific methodology of theoretical linguistics.

- That students are aware of different philosophical and theoretical positions regarding the nature of human language.

- That students have some sense of the overall architecture of the human faculty of language and its place in the mind.

- That students learn about the history of theoretical linguistics.

- That students are able to both write about and make presentations about issues in theoretical linguistics.