Form C4
Heriot-Watt University - Course Descriptor
1. Course
Code
C40TP
2. Course
Title
Applied Linguistics 1
3. SCQF 10
Level
6. Course
John Cleary
Co-ordinator
4. Credits
15
5. School
Management and Languages
7. Delivery:
Location &
Semester
Edin
SBC
Orkney
Dubai
IDL
Collaborative Partner
Approved Learning Partner
Sem 1.
Sem…….
Sem………..
Sem……..
Sem….
Name…………………….....Sem..…...
Name …………………………………Sem………..
8. Pre-requisites
9. Linked Courses
(specify if synoptic)
C40TQ (synoptic)
10. Excluded Courses
11. Replacement Courses
Code:
12. Degrees for which
this is a core course
Date Of Replacement:
13. The course may be
delivered to:
UG only
PG only
UG & PG
MA (Hons) Foreign Languages & TESOL
MA (Hons) French & Applied Language Studies; MA (Hons)
German & Applied Language Studies; MA (Hons) Spanish &
Applied Language Studies
14. Available as an Elective?
Yes
No
15. Aims
Second Language Acquisition
To introduce students to an understanding of second language acquisition and its relationships to language teaching and linguistics.
To foster awareness of the nature of language knowledge.
To acquaint students with recent trends in the field.
Discourse Analysis
To raise students’ awareness of language usage beyond the sentence and of language in context
To categorise text types and appreciate role of genre in language teaching
To develop students’ understanding of a wide range of methods and critical approaches to text analysis; and apply to specific discourse cases.
To increase awareness of differences between form and meaning through study of pragmatics, and draw implications for second language pedagogy.
Advanced Grammar and Phonology
To introduce concepts and terminology of advanced grammatical description
To further develop understanding of concepts in the description of phonetics and phonology.
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Form C4
Heriot-Watt University - Course Descriptor
16. Syllabus
Second Language Acquisition
Second language acquisition and applied linguistics. The concept of the native speaker. First and second language acquisition compared. Behaviourist and cognitive
perspectives. Interlanguage. Developmental sequences. What is proficiency? Crosslinguistic influence: changing perspectives. Input hypothesis: role of conscious
knowledge of language. Acquisition of phonology. Universal grammar in second language acquisition. Positive and negative evidence. Focus-on Form studies.
Discourse Analysis
Genre, text type, register; information structure in discourse; pragmatics; critical discourse analysis; literary stylistics; analysis of specific discourses (advertising, media,
computer mediated communication).
Advanced Grammar and Phonology
Generative and functional systemic grammar. Intonation, rhythm and phonotactics. Analysis of two specific areas of English structure (intonation and the grammar of the
verb) from the perspective of how they contribute to meaning in production, and how they can be presented pedagogically.
17. Learning Outcomes (HWU Core Skills: Employability and Professional Career Readiness)
Subject Mastery
Understanding, Knowledge and Cognitive
Scholarship, Enquiry and Research (Research-Informed Learning)
Skills
 Demonstrate knowledge that covers and integrates most of the principal areas, features, boundaries, terminology and conventions relating to
Applied Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition.
 Demonstrate critical understanding of the main theories, concepts and principles relating to Applied Linguistics and SLA.
 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the ways in which studies in Applied Linguistics and SLA have developed, including a range of
established research methodologies.
 Develop a critical understanding of intercultural and interlingual issues.
Personal Abilities
Industrial, Commercial & Professional Practice
Autonomy, Accountability & Working with Others
Communication, Numeracy & ICT
 Critically identify, define, conceptualise, and analyse complex/professional level problems and issues.
 Offer professional level insights, interpretations and solutions to problems and issues.
 Make judgements where data/information is limited or comes from a range of sources.
 Make formal presentations (written and oral) about specialised topics to informed audiences.
 Use a range of software to support and enhance work at this level.
18. Assessment Methods
19. Re-assessment Methods
Method
Duration of Exam
Weighting (%)
Synoptic courses?
(if applicable)
Continuous Assessment (100%)
Method
Duration of Exam
(if applicable)
50% (of
synoptic)
20. Date and Version
Date of Proposal
Date of Approval by
School Committee
Date of
Implementation
Version
Number
2/2
Diet(s)