(MRes) Master of Research
Linguistics
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Language and Linguistics
Colchester Campus
Masters
Full-time
None
MRESQ10012
26/04/2010
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
A degree with an overall 2:1.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum component score of 5.5 except for 6.0 in writing
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
None
External examiners
Prof Maggie Tallerman
Professor of Linguistics
The University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
This graduate programme provides students with the opportunity to:
Acquire systematic understanding and knowledge of approaches to the study of language adopted in contemporary work in Linguistics, and especially of approaches to the study of syntax and phonology.
Acquire advanced training in methods used to formulate, test and critically evaluate research hypotheses about of syntax, phonology and other areas of language, and in data collection, analysis and presentation techniques used in relevant empirical research.
Acquire a systematic understanding of styles of argumentation and evaluation criteria used in research into syntax, phonology and other areas of language, and of methodological, theoretical and descriptive issues arising out of that research.
Develop a critical appreciation of a selection of recent research in syntax, phonology and other areas of language.
Undertake (one or more small-scale pieces of) advanced research, showing originality and creativity.
Acquire a wide range of advanced cognitive skills, practical skills and key skills.
Acquire a foundation for further study, employment and lifelong learning.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: familiarity with contemporary approaches to the study of language
A2: Conducted advanced piece of linguistic research.
A3: Practical and theoretical knowledge of major paradigms and interpretive traditions in linguistics.
A4: Knowledge of key concepts, issues, ideas, theories, styles of argumentation and evaluation criteria, used in contemporary linguistic research.
A5: Knowledge of methods and tools employed to conduct linguistic analysis.
A6: Critical, in-depth comprehension of one or more theoretical and/or descriptive subdisciplines of linguistics.
A7: Knowledge or range of research support skills.
Learning methods
A1 and A3-7 are addressed in lectures, as well as seminar, class and tutorial discussion.
A2 is achieved through individual supervision.
Web and instructional course materials, including library and internet materials are used to achieve A1-4 and A6-7.
Students will also gain knowledge of the skills required for future professional engagement in academic life through a Professional Development course.
There is also office and email consultation with staff as well as written and oral feedback on work.
Assessment methods
A1, A3-7 are assessed by written coursework in the form of essays (usually a 3000 word essay per course) and exercises.
The dissertation is instrumental in the achievement of A2, A5-6, being the most significant form of assessment with respect to knowledge and understanding acquired in the taught part of the course.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Critically evaluate contrasting linguistic theories/ accounts/explanations/approaches, demonstrating an understanding of the relationship between theory and data or practice
B2: Ability to abstract and synthesise information from a range of sources (lectures/seminars/classes, journals, books, internet etc.) identifying central concepts and findings.
B3: Make systematic observations and insightful generalisations about complex behaviour (or data, or other materials), and analyse the relevant material using advanced specialised techniques.
Learning methods
B1 - B3 are developed in seminars, classes and tutorials.
B2 is developed in directed reading of library and internet materials, as well as printed instructional course materials.
There is also office and email consultation with staff, as well as written and oral feedback on work.
Assessment methods
B1 to 3 are assessed by written coursework in the form of essays (usually a 3000 word essay per course) and exercises.
In its development of advanced intellectual and cognitive skills, the dissertation is central in assessing B3.
C: Practical skills
C1: Retrieve information from a variety of sources (e.g. Library, WWW, etc)
C2: Utilise advanced techniques and tools relevant to the collection, analysis or presentation of linguistic data, with a minimum of guidance
C3: Propose, plan, undertake, write up and present an independent survey or report (e.g. on research undertaken individually or in collaboration with others, or on a case study), with a minimum of guidance.
Learning methods
Throughout the scheme practical skills C1 - 3 are developed through independent learning in preparation for classes, seminars, essays and presentations.
In particular, these skills are mobilised in preparation for tutorials for the dissertation.
Office and email consultation with staff, as well as written/oral feedback on work is provided through both the coursework and dissertation phases of the degree.
Assessment methods
Coursework and essays play an important part in the assessment of all skills C1 - 3.
It is in marking of the dissertation, however, that these skills, particularly C2 and C3 - become particularly salient.
D: Key skills
D1: Communicating complex ideas effectively in writing, writing essays, reports and reviews using the appropriate register and style
D2: Using advanced computational tools and software packages to obtain, store and process information stored in electronic form (e.g. from the Library, WWW, etc), and (where appropriate) to analyse data and results
D3: Under guidance, interpreting relevant statistical information and, where required, showing familiarity with complex procedures of symbol manipulation
D4: Analysing complex data-sets or behaviour, abstracting insightful generalisations and testing abstract hypotheses
D5: Under guidance, working independently, demonstrating initiative, self-organisation and time-management in tackling and solving complex problems
Learning methods
The key skills, D1, D2, D4 and D6 are taught throughout the scheme in preparation for lectures, seminars, tutorials and coursework assignments.
Oral presentation in class may be used to develop skills of oral communication in parallel with D1; students are also encouraged to collaborate with others to achieve common goals e.g.
In project planning, management and presentation.
Seminars and tutorials are used to develop D3 and D4.
There is also office and email consultation with staff, as well as written/oral feedback on work.
Assessment methods
Coursework essays are used in the development of all key skills D1 to D4 and D6.
Coursework exercises specifically develop D3 and D4.
The dissertation constitutes an overall assessment of these skills in judging communication, problem solving and independent learning.