Module Directory

This module is designed to prepare students wishing to join a degree course in the Department of Language and Linguistics.

It is also a suitable choice for students who simply have an interest in language and it similarly provides a sound academic background for the study of subjects which rely extensively on proficient use of the English language such as Literature, History, Sociology, and Philosophy.

The aims of this module are:

• To introduce and explain linguistic terms.


• To raise students' awareness of key concepts and issues within the different branches of linguistics and to equip students with the tools to carry out linguistic analyses.


• To broaden students' knowledge of linguistic theory through the application of theory

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:

1. Gain knowledge of the law and be able to define the relevant legal concepts within the syllabus.


2. Discuss legal issues raised in practical scenarios and identify the liabilities within each topic.


3. Demonstrate their ability to apply the law in a given situation.


4. Analyse and critique case law and utilise their ability to identify the judicial interpretation of statute law within cases.


5. Construct legal arguments and defend arguments. 

Skills for your professional life (Transferable Skills)

By the end of this module, students will have practised the following transferrable skills:

1. Critical thinking – ability to recognise/verify reliable information, data or sources, and collate, synthesise or draw (logical) conclusions or lessons based on independent (complex) analysis of facts and evidence.


2. Presentation and communication – the ability to clearly explain and coherently convey ideas or argue a point or challenge/defend a decision/position in verbal or written form.


3. Problem-solving – ability to create, produce and/or advocate actionable solutions or recommendations and critical decisions for the resolution of difficult or complicated situations (especially by 'thinking outside the box' or 'on your feet').


4. Organisation management – personal planning for setting targets and prioritisation, managing goals/tasks/expectations, attention to detail, measuring and monitoring progress/outputs.


5. Resilience and adaptability – capacity to deal with criticism, assess risks, build/retain confidence, appropriately respond/adjust and work/overcome/thrive in diverse, challenging, new or high-pressure environments and conditions.


6. People – capacity for personal effectiveness, interaction, intercession, empathy, compassion, negotiation, team work, collaboration, flexibility, conflict management, etc.


7. Commercial and sector awareness – gain insights and critical knowledge of key/current developments within selected practice areas and contexts.


8. Sustainability awareness – understanding and learning to leverage legal thinking, tools or practices to drive transformative action and promote systemic change or meaningful impact for sustainable development; integrate principles of sustainability (justice) into a wider understanding of the interrelationship between social, economic and environmental impacts, especially in the context of the global economy.

Syllabus

• Language change and variation.


• The words of English (morphology).


• The sounds of English (phonetics).


• The grammar of English (syntax).


• Child first language acquisition.

This module will be delivered via:

• One 2-hour lecture per week.
• One 2-hour seminar per week.

Teaching and learning on Essex Pathways modules offers students the ability to develop the foundation knowledge, skills, and competencies to study at the undergraduate level, through a curriculum that is purposely designed to provide an exceptional learning experience. All teaching, learning and assessment materials will be available via Moodle in a consistent and user-friendly manner.

Students will be expected to have done the prescribed reading for the sessions so that they can fully participate in discussions. The field of linguistics will be introduced at a level accessible to all students and no prior knowledge of the discipline area is required.

Learning support

Students are expected to engage with Moodle for materials and support activities for their continuous learning opportunities. Students will be supported in their research skills, essay writing, referencing and bibliographical procedures within this discipline. Students are also supported through the Listen Again facility and the use of technology in their teaching and learning. All students will have access to Academic Support Hours.