What you will study
This module provides you with a clear path to decipher, discuss and dive deep into the core concepts that make linguistics an endlessly fascinating field. It will introduce you to key theories, concepts, and analytical approaches that will improve your understanding of language and its use. Developing your knowledge of linguistics will allow you to evaluate contexts where language plays a central role. Throughout the module you’ll encounter a broad range of case studies, drawing on a variety of social, geographical, and professional contexts, that show how linguistics can be applied in the real world. While the module is taught in English, you’ll be encouraged to engage with examples from a range of different languages, as the discipline of linguistics goes beyond the analysis of a single language. You’ll learn to describe how texts work, understand why communication sometimes breaks down, and be able to explain how things can be improved.
The module has four blocks, each of which focuses on different elements of linguistic study.
In Block 1 you’ll explore what is meant by ‘language’ and ‘linguistics’. You’ll consider how linguistics developed and journey through its history, uncover the secrets of child language acquisition, and take a closer look at the types of data linguists work with.
Block 2 takes a closer look at the nuts and bolts of language. You’ll learn about different approaches to grammar, phonetics, and language documentation. You’ll also consider how language is used in, and shaped by, its wider social contexts.
Block 3 introduces you to wide a range of different methods and methodologies used to analyse different aspects of language. You’ll be introduced to ethnography, discourse analysis, corpus linguistics, text mining, and language transcription.
In Block 4 you’ll think more broadly about what makes quality research, and you’ll be encouraged to apply the knowledge that you’ve gained on the module to real-world scenarios.
The module is also designed to help you to develop the academic and digital literacies that you’ll need to study at postgraduate level. This includes developing your writing skills and finding your academic voice. You’ll be encouraged to engage critically with the broad range of topics covered, drawing on your own perspective, understanding, and experiences, combining that with the evidence presented in professional and academic research.
Vocational relevance
The module will appeal to anyone interested in a profession where language plays a central role. This includes administration, advertising, communications, data analysis, education, human resources, journalism, marketing, politics, public relations, publishing, social media management, and tourism, as well as those who teach English to speakers of other languages (TESOL), English as an additional language (EAL), or English as a foreign language (EFL).
If you are involved in language education, or any context that involves training and mentoring, you’ll are likely to be interested in studying this module and then following the MA in Linguistics (Applied) route. If your interests lie in uncovering the relationship between language, society, and developments in artificial intelligence, then progressing onto the MA in Linguistics (Artificial Intelligence) route may be for you.
Entry
To study for this postgraduate module you must hold a bachelors degree from a UK university or another recognised degree-awarding body, or a qualification at an equivalent level.
As our modules are taught in English, your spoken and written English must be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study in the UK. If English is not your first language, we recommend that you will need a minimum score of 7 under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please see their website for details.
Preparatory work
If you are new to the study of Linguistics, you may wish to complete the free short course Describing language on our OpenLearn website before your study start date. Another useful resource that will help you to prepare, especially if this is the first time you’ll be learning at a distance, is the free short course Succeeding in postgraduate study. Neither of these short courses are compulsory, but they will help you to prepare for your studies between the time you enrol and when your module officially starts. You can also explore the website for the School of Languages and Applied Linguistics to find out about what we have to offer.