Trinity College Dublin
Coláiste na Tríonóide, Baile Átha Cliath
School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Sciences
Centre for Language and Communication Studies
M.Phil. programmes in Linguistics,
Applied Linguistics, Speech and Language
Processing, and English Language
Teaching
Orientation Course
Monday
Trinity College Dublin
Coláiste na Tríonóide, Baile Átha Cliath
School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Sciences
Centre for Language and Communication Studies
National University of Ireland (NUI)
NUI Galway
University College Cork
University College Dublin
NUI Maynooth
Trinity College Dublin
Coláiste na Tríonóide, Baile Átha Cliath
School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Sciences
Centre for Language and Communication Studies
University of Dublin
Trinity College
Trinity College Dublin
Coláiste na Tríonóide, Baile Átha Cliath
School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Sciences
Centre for Language and Communication Studies
Trinity College Dublin
Engineering,
Mathematics and
Science
School of Business
Clinical Speech and
Language Studies
Arts, Humanities and
Social Sciences
School of Linguistic, Speech,
and Communication Sciences
Centre for Language and
Communication Studies
Health Sciences
School of Law
(… 9 others …)
Centre for Deaf Studies
Trinity College Dublin
Coláiste na Tríonóide, Baile Átha Cliath
School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Sciences
Centre for Language and Communication Studies
What does CLCS do?
• Conducts research in language and
communication
• Offers postgraduate education:
– M.Phil. (taught, with research component)
– M.Litt. (research only)
– Ph.D. (research only)
• Provides undergraduate modules (linguistics
and phonetics, modern languages)
• Provides support facilities for language learning
Trinity College Dublin
Coláiste na Tríonóide, Baile Átha Cliath
School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Sciences
Centre for Language and Communication Studies
Course co-ordinator
If any personal or academic problems arise that
have the potential to interfere with your
studies, talk to me as early as possible!
Attendance:
Full attendance is expected. Inform me, and if
possible the relevant lecturers, if you are going
to miss any classes.
Trinity College Dublin
Coláiste na Tríonóide, Baile Átha Cliath
School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Sciences
Centre for Language and Communication Studies
Course handbooks
• Not just meant to be informative – they lay
down the law. Students expected to familiarise
themselves with them, and if they have any
doubts, they should address them to me.
• Note importance of avoiding plagiarism in
particular – more on this when we discuss essay
and dissertation preparation in more detail.
Trinity College Dublin
Coláiste na Tríonóide, Baile Átha Cliath
School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Sciences
Centre for Language and Communication Studies
Course committee
• Facilitates communication between staff and students
• Class representatives (one for each programme) sit on
the committee
• Normally two meetings, one in each term, but further
meetings possible if relevant matters arise
• Minutes taken by one of the class representatives
• Discussions reported to CLCS committee, which takes
decisions as required
Trinity College Dublin
Coláiste na Tríonóide, Baile Átha Cliath
School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Sciences
Centre for Language and Communication Studies
Teaching: Two terms of 12 weeks
• Michaelmas term: 23 September – 13 December
• Hilary term: 13 January – 4 April
Week 12 in each term: in general no lectures
scheduled, but this is used for lectures that
have to be deferred.
Trinity College Dublin
Coláiste na Tríonóide, Baile Átha Cliath
School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Sciences
Centre for Language and Communication Studies
Six modules: four core modules (obligatory), two
electives (chosen from a list).
Core modules always take place on a Monday
(10.00-12.00, 4.00-6.00)
Electives always take place on a Thursday (10.0012.00, 4.00-6.00)
Plus: Research Methodology – six weeks in MT, six
weeks in HT; Wednesdays 4.00-6.00
Trinity College Dublin
Coláiste na Tríonóide, Baile Átha Cliath
School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Sciences
Centre for Language and Communication Studies
Part-time
• Part-time students normally take the afternoon
‘band’ each year. Afternoons this year are Band
A, and will be Band B in 2014-15.
• Two core and one elective per year
Trinity College Dublin
Coláiste na Tríonóide, Baile Átha Cliath
School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Sciences
Centre for Language and Communication Studies
European Credit Transfer System
(ECTS)
• Whole M.Phil. Programme: 90 credits
• Each module: 10 credits
• Dissertation: 30 credits
• Postgraduate diploma: 60 credits
• ECTS only awarded on successful completion of
the course year
Trinity College Dublin
Coláiste na Tríonóide, Baile Átha Cliath
School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Sciences
Centre for Language and Communication Studies
Individual modules
• In the handbook, readings are listed according
to priority.
• You should obtain a copy of any titles marked
‘textbook’
• Each module is assessed by an assignment
• Some modules may require students to make
presentations, which are generally not assessed
• Some modules have homework, which in some
cases constitute the assignment
Trinity College Dublin
Coláiste na Tríonóide, Baile Átha Cliath
School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Sciences
Centre for Language and Communication Studies
Overall assessment of course
• The M.Phil. is awarded on a
pass/fail/Distinction basis; there are no classes
or overall marks
• The same is true of dissertations:
pass/fail/Distinction
• “Students may be awarded the M.Phil. with Distinction if they (i)
pass all modules; (ii) achieve a Distinction in the dissertation; (iii)
achieve at least 68% in the unrounded overall average mark for the
taught modules; and (iv) achieve at least 70% in each of three
course modules.”
Trinity College Dublin
Coláiste na Tríonóide, Baile Átha Cliath
School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Sciences
Centre for Language and Communication Studies
Assessment of modules
– Class system – qualitative / quantitative mix
– Compensation for one fail mark of not less than 30%
if overall coursework average is over 40%
– Deadlines:
• MT assignments due Tuesday 14 Jan 2014
• HT assignments due Monday 28 April 2014. Note that essay
deadlines coincide, so planning is important.
Trinity College Dublin
Coláiste na Tríonóide, Baile Átha Cliath
School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Sciences
Centre for Language and Communication Studies
Assessment of modules
I (‘First’)– Demonstrates a full understanding of
key issues, an ability to construct a detailed
argument on the basis of that understanding,
and a capacity for developing innovative lines
of thought. (70%+)
Trinity College Dublin
Coláiste na Tríonóide, Baile Átha Cliath
School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Sciences
Centre for Language and Communication Studies
II.1– Demonstrates a full understanding of key
issues and an ability not only to construct a
detailed argument on the basis of that
understanding, but to generate additional
insights. (60-69%)
Trinity College Dublin
Coláiste na Tríonóide, Baile Átha Cliath
School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Sciences
Centre for Language and Communication Studies
II.2 – Demonstrates a full understanding of key
issues and an ability to construct a detailed
argument on the basis of that understanding.
(50-59%)
Trinity College Dublin
Coláiste na Tríonóide, Baile Átha Cliath
School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Sciences
Centre for Language and Communication Studies
III – Demonstrates an adequate understanding of
key issues and an ability to construct a basic
argument. (40-49%)
Trinity College Dublin
Coláiste na Tríonóide, Baile Átha Cliath
School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Sciences
Centre for Language and Communication Studies
Dissertations
• Finding a topic and supervisor
• Milestones for dissertations:
– Select topic by end HT5 (14 February; 1st year for
p/t students)
– Detailed plan and work schedule by 6 May (= 4 weeks
after week 12; 1st year for part-time students)
• Submit by 1 September (2nd year for part-time
students)
• Keep in touch with your supervisor!