Methods for Master's Students in Language and Linguistics

ECTS Credits

15

Level of Study

Master.

Teaching semester

Spring

Place of Instruction

Bergen

Objectives and Content

This course introduces empirical methods in linguistics and language studies, e.g. the collection, construction and use of text corpora. The methods introduced can vary from semester to semester, e.g. field methods and work with informants, construction and use of questionnaires, and statistical methods which are relevant for processing corpus data and informant data. This course also provides knowledge and skills in structuring text and language use for papers in linguistics and language studies.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

The candidate is able to

• describe and discuss important methodological foundations in linguistics;
• describe important terms and procedures in methods.

Skills

The candidate is able to

• assess and compare methods in linguistics, e.g. fieldwork and corpus methods;
• apply methods and concepts to practical research on language;
• structure a text with correct genre, terminology, citations and argumentation.

General competence

The candidate is able to

• use linguistic and general scientific argumentation;
• have a critical perspective on one's own and others' methods;
• discuss common methodological questions;
• use a writing style and text elements which are appropriate for the stylistic traditions in the languages of science

Required Previous Knowledge

None

Recommended Previous Knowledge

A bachelor degree with a specialization in linguistics or language studies provides the most suitable starting point.

Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap

LINGMET (15 credits), LING311 (10 credits), DASP307 (5 credits)

Access to the Course

Open to all who have been admitted to one of the Master's programmes in linguistics, foreign languages or nordic studies.

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures, seminars and practical exercises. Normally, teachers from linguistics and various language related programs will be responsible for teaching.

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

Students must submit the following during the course:

1. one obligatory assignment;
2. a literature list which is the basis for the individual paper for the assessment.

Obligatory assignments must be approved before one can take the exam in the subject. Approval remains valid in a total of three semester, including the semester of teaching.

Forms of Assessment

7 day individual digital take-home exam, consisting of an essay of about 5000 words, not including references, appendices with data etc.

Cooperation between students is not allowed; neither is it allowed to ask relevant questions to the teacher when the exam has started. The start of the exam is the time when the assignment becomes available to the candidates.

Examination Support Material

It is allowed to use materials from the literature list, library resources, and referances and tools indicated by the teacher. All aids that are used must be cited.

Grading Scale

A-F.

Assessment Semester

Spring

Reading List

The reading list may consist in part of common reading material and in part of individual material chosen in consultation with the student's own department and in relation to the language studied by the student. The common literature list is about 400 pages and includes introductions to linguistic methods and illustrating articles.

Course Evaluation

Course evaluation will be conducted in accordance with the University of Bergen's quality assurance system.

Course Administrator

Department of Linguistic, Literary and Aesthetic Studies