LG358-6-AU-CO:
Language and the Mind
2023/24
Language and Linguistics
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 6
Current
Thursday 05 October 2023
Friday 15 December 2023
15
22 March 2022
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
This module builds on notions and topics approached and developed in psycholinguistics modules in Years 1 and 2. It covers current trends and recent research published on a range of aspects in the field of psycholinguistics, with excursions towards phonology and applied linguistics.
Led by various research active members of the Department, the topics that are covered demonstrate the richness of the experimental methods and enquiries in the field.
You will widen your understanding of how empirical study can advance theories on language acquisition, language processing and language use. This will contribute to a more precise grasp of theories of language processing, representation, learning and use.
You will expand your understanding of psycholinguistics and applied linguistics research. You will discover new topics and methods of investigation.
You will develop and apply your critical thinking skills when discussing scientific papers, in the classroom, in written assignments and during your presentation in front of your peers.
Upon completion of this module, you will:
(i) have gained specific knowledge of current theoretical and methodological issues in psycholinguistics and applied linguistics,
(ii) (ii) be able to understand and assess the contribution of scientific outputs to the scientific community, in psycholinguistics but also in more applied environments,
(iii) be able to gather data and knowledge on a specific topic and present your findings in a lecture-like format.
Syllabus
Topic #1 Phonological/phonetic processing
Week 2: Intro on EEGs (CDL)
Week 3: Using ERPs (MMN) to investigate vowel perception in healthy adults, infants and clinical populations (FC)
Week 4: Lexical processing: do consonants drive lexical access? (CDL)
Topic #2 Language acquisition
Week 5: Deafness and sign language (LL)
Week 6: Aging (LL)
Topic #3 Factors influencing L2 acquisition
Week 7: L2 acquisition and working memory (FC)
Week 8: Anxiety and personality in language learning (KRB)
Week 9: Children's language learning in the classroom (KRB)
Topic #4 Variability in speech input (accent perception and bilingualism)
Week 10: Perception of regional variation: the pre-school years and beyond (EJ) (back up by CDL)
Week 11: Speech perception: how do infants deal with speaker variability? (CDL)
1 x 2hr lecture per week for 10 weeks
This module does not appear to have any essential texts. To see non - essential items, please refer to the module's
reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Assignment 1 |
24/11/2023 |
35% |
| Coursework |
Oral Presentation |
15/12/2023 |
25% |
| Coursework |
Assignment 2 |
05/01/2024 |
35% |
| Coursework |
Presentation evaluation |
12/01/2024 |
5% |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Claire Delle Luche, email: c.delleluche@essex.ac.uk.
Claire Delle Luche, Ella Jeffries, Faith Chiu, Laurel Lawyer, Karen Roehr-Brackin
Claire Delle Luche, 4.313, 872113, c.delleluche@essex.ac.uk
Ella Jeffries, 4.207, 873762, e.jeffries@essex.ac.uk
Faith Chiu, 4.209, 872082, fchiu@essex.ac.uk
Monika Schmid, 4.326, 872089, mschmid@essex.ac.uk
Yes
No
Yes
No external examiner information available for this module.
Available via Moodle
Of 20 hours, 18 (90%) hours available to students:
2 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
* Please note: due to differing publication schedules, items marked with an asterisk (*) base their information upon the previous academic year.
Disclaimer: The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its Module Directory is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can
be necessary to make changes, for example to programmes, modules, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include a change of law or regulatory requirements,
industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key personnel, change in government policy, or withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to modules may for example consist
of variations to the content and method of delivery or assessment of modules and other services, to discontinue modules and other services and to merge or combine modules.
The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications and module directory.
The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.