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Major Core
HG1001 Mind and Meaning
Pre-requisite(s): Nil | 3 AUs
This course introduces students to the uniqueness of human language as a communication system. Students will examine how language is learnt and the way our mind stores meaning and organises information. The topics include animal communication, biological foundation of human language, language acquisition, bilingualism and multilingualism, sign language and deaf studies, language impairment, word formation and the study of meaning. These concepts are illustrated by examples taken from a wide range of languages.
HG2001 Morphology and Syntax
Pre-requisite(s): HG2003 & HG2034 | 3 AUs
This course is an introduction to basic concepts linguists apply to their analysis of word and sentence structure. Students will learn about morphological and syntactic diversity in the world's languages and practise morphological and syntactic analysis on different data sets. Key concepts covered include inflection and derivation, case marking, agreement and concord, morpheme classes, phrase structure, word order, grammatical functions and relationships between clauses. A range of languages will be studied and students will be encouraged to apply and evaluate theoretical concepts based on their analysis.
HG2002 Semantics and Pragmatics
Pre-requisite(s): HG1001 | 3 AUs
This course is an introduction to the study of meaning: linguistic meaning and speaker meaning. Major approaches to the study of lexical and grammatical meaning will be reviewed and the role of semantics and pragmatics in grammar examined. Students will be given plenty of practice in performing semantic analysis using a variety of frameworks such as componential analysis, prototype theory and cognitive semantics. They will also explore and apply the frameworks to the evaluation of metaphors and linguistic categorisation such as noun class systems, kinship terms and colour terms across languages.
HG2003 Phonetics and Phonology
Pre-requisite(s): Nil | 3 AUs
This course introduces students to the study of speech sounds and the analysis of sound systems in the world's languages. Students will develop skills in perceiving, articulating and transcribing vowel and consonant sounds using IPA symbols. They will also be introduced to syllable structures and learn to do phonemic analysis and employ distinctive features and phonological rules to the analysis of sound patterns.
HG2010 Bilingualism and Multilingualism
Pre-requisite(s): Nil | 3 AUs
This course focuses on issues central to the phenomenon of bilingualism and multilingualism. Students will learn to evaluate sociological and psychological claims about the bilingual experience, and appreciate the implications of these claims on the social perception of bilinguals in different societies. Topics covered include bilingual language acquisition, cognitive and social effects of bilingualism, bilingual literacy skills, bilingual linguistic memory, bilingualism in special population, bilingual education, bilingualism and language identity, and the testing of bilingual performance.
HG2020 Language in Society
Pre-requisite(s): Nil | 3 AUs
This course examines how social factors influence language and the role language plays in reflecting social categories such as status, ethnicity and gender. Students will be trained to observe and identify linguistic variables which reveal the nature and function of speech variation within and across speech communities. Topics covered include variation in language styles and registers, and language variation reflecting social class, gender and ethnic group. Students will also study changes in language status over time, language shift, language maintenance, language death and the emergence of new languages.
HG2034 Structure of Modern English
Pre-requisite(s): Nil | 3 AUs
This course provides students with the conceptual framework and skills for describing and analysing Modern English. Students will learn to parse simple and complex constructions in English. The topics covered include word classes, the structure of sentences and phrases, clause types, complex sentences and discourse styles. The course will also analyse variations in English through time, and evaluate influences on the structure of English in bilingual/multilingual situations such as Singapore.
HG4099 Graduation Project
Pre-requisite(s): To have completed LMS core and 8 LMS major prescribed electives. | 8 AUs
Students will undertake independent research work under the guidance of a supervisor. They are expected to read widely to develop an in depth understanding of a topic, and then identify research objectives, isolate new research questions, collect and analyse information or data and write up their findings as a research report. The graduation project integrates linguistics knowledge and analytical skills which the students have acquired.