Course Title: Introduction to Language

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Introduction to Language

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

LANG1321

RMIT University Vietnam

Undergraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

Viet1 2021,
Viet3 2021,
Viet3 2022,
Viet1 2023,
Viet3 2023,
Viet1 2024,
Viet3 2024

LANG1321

RMIT University Vietnam

Undergraduate

840H School of Communication and Design

Face-to-Face

Viet2 2019,
Viet1 2020,
Viet3 2020

LANG1321

RMIT University Vietnam

Undergraduate

850T School of Languages and English

Face-to-Face

Viet2 2018

LANG1323

City Campus

Undergraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2021,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 1 2023,
Sem 1 2024

LANG1323

City Campus

Undergraduate

840H School of Communication and Design

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2020

Course Coordinator: Gillian Darcy

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 1716

Course Coordinator Email: gillian.darcy@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Building 37, Floor 5

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

This course provides an introduction to the concepts underlying the nature and properties of human language, its uses and applications in social interaction. The course has a particular focus on the way sentences are structured grammatically (syntax and morphology), the way language sounds (phonetics and phonology), and the meaning and use of language (semantics and pragmatics). The course also examines how languages are acquired, learned and used (applied linguistics), thereby enhancing your ability to learn another language. 


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes

In course you will develop the following program learning outcomes:

Bachelor of Languages BP317 Vietnam 

  • Communicate effectively in a range of forms and in different international and cross-cultural contexts, using appropriate modes of communication including electronic, written, graphic, oral and aural forms with audiences within and external to the discipline. 
  • Critically analyse resources, evidence and personal experience to make ethical, socially and politically aware decisions related to language and intercultural interpretations and applications. 
  • Effectively manage your own learning, developing skills in lifelong learning of languages and crosscultural communication. 

BP332LAN Bachelor of International Studies (Languages) 

  • Work professionally and effectively with others in diverse cultural, linguistic and organisational contexts, and to adapt practices and knowledge to local circumstances. 
  • Design, adapt and develop effective communication strategies that promote awareness of and respect for cultural and linguistic diversity in globalised workplaces. 
 


Course Learning Outcomes  

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:  

  1. identify and describe the basic concepts involved in the formal properties of language (syntax, morphology, phonetics, phonology, semantics, pragmatics) and how they are used to encode meaning in human language.
  2. use the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) to transcribe English phonetically
  3. demonstrate understanding of the commonalities and distinctions of human languages.
  4. use arguments and evidence to solve problems of linguistic analysis of non-English languages.
  5. critically examine your own language and apply various learning strategies for second/foreign language acquisitions. 


Overview of Learning Activities

You will be engaged in learning that involves a range of activities both face to face and online such as lectures, seminars, guest speakers, the presentation of audio-visual materials, and interactive tutorial activities including group based discussion and problem-solving tasks.  

You will be expected to actively contribute to the construction of a supportive learning environment, in which peer-based learning will be an important component. Participation in discussions and activities, and engagement with the weekly reading materials is expected. 


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems.

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal. 


Overview of Assessment

  You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes.
 
Assessment tasks
 
Melbourne UGRD (LANG1323)
Progressive Assessments
Assessment Task 1: Reading Logs/reflective tasks, 25% (CLO1, CLO3, CLO4)
Assessment Task 2: Problem Set, 30% (CLO1, CLO2, CLO3, CLO4)
Final Assessment
Assessment Task 3: Analysis Project, 45% (CLO1, CLO2, CLO3, CLO4, CLO5)
 
Vietnam UGRD (LANG1321)
Progressive Assessments
Assessment Task 1: Problem-solving Tasks 20% (CLO1, CLO2)
Assessment Task 2: Group Project Presentation 40% (CLO3, CLO4)
Final Assessment
Assessment Task 3: Problem solving tasks 40% (CLO1, CLO2, CLO3, CLO4)
 
Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks.
 
If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.
 
Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions.