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Unit of study_

CSCD1034: Linguistics and Phonetics

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Students will explore the nature of language: introduction to phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics and orthographic systems, , with a clinical focus. Particular emphasis on grammar, phonetics and articulation assessment and intervention. Analysis of language for clinical purposes (especially grammar transcription and phonetic transcription skills). This unit of study prepares students with the necessary background knowledge to undertake phonology, language and clinical units later in the course.

Unit details and rules

Unit code CSCD1034
Academic unit Communication Sciences
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Gregory Flannery, gregory.flannery@sydney.edu.au
Guest lecturer(s) Tricia McCabe, tricia.mccabe@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Gregory Flannery, gregory.flannery@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
Final Exam
6 short answers with component parts.
30% Formal exam period 1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13
Online task A1 Early Feedback task Phonetics quiz
Phonetics quiz
10% Please select a valid week from the list below
Due date: 08 Mar 2024 at 23:59
20 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO4
Skills-based evaluation Phonetics Quiz
Online quiz on articulatory phonetics
10% Week 05
Due date: 22 Mar 2024 at 23:59
20 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4
Skills-based evaluation hurdle task Grammar analysis
child/adult Three tiered analysis of two sentences
25% Week 08
Due date: 15 Apr 2024 at 10:00
30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5
Skills-based evaluation hurdle task Phonemic transcription
child/adult Transcription of short spoken passage
25% Week 11
Due date: 07 May 2024 at 10:00
20 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Students must complete all tasks to pass this unit of study. Failure to complete all assessments will result in a Fail grade, regardless of the cumulative total of marks.

  • Early feedback task Phonetics quiz: Students complete a short online quiz on articulatory phonetics. The quiz comprises 2 questions worth 5 marks each. 

  • Phonetics quiz: Students complete a short online quiz on articulatory phonetics. The quiz comprises 2 questions worth 5 marks each.

  • Grammar transcription: Students are given two declarative sentences to analyse at clause, phrase and word level. Time allowance is 30 minutes.
  • Phonemic transcription: Students complete a 20minute phonemic transcription task (Harrington Cox Evans IPA conventions), transcribing an adult Australian English speaker in connected speech.
  • Final exam: Students will complete an exam drawing from the materials and topics covered in the unit. The exam will have 6 short answer questions worth 5 marks each.  

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Under late penalty add Assignments are due 11.59pm on the day outlined in Canvas. Submission after this time is deemed late. 5% is deducted from the mark for each day it is late. After 10 days the assignment is not marked. Any student unable to submit by the deadline should apply for Special Consideration. Further information can be found https://www.sydney.edu.au/policies/showdoc.aspx?recnum=PDOC2012/267&RendNum=0

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 1. Introduction to unit; 2. What is language?; 3. Phonetics and phonology; 4. Speech pathology Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 02 1. Morphology and grammar intro; 2. Describing the consonants of English Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO4 LO7
Places of articulation Tutorial (1 hr) LO4 LO7
Week 03 1. Grammar; 2. Clause level; 3. Vowels and diphthongs, schwas and linking /r/s Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO9
Transcription practice consonants Tutorial (1 hr) LO7
Week 04 1. Phrase level; 2. Transcription theory Lecture (3 hr) LO5 LO7 LO8
Transcription of consonants and vowels Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 05 1. Phrase level; 2. Connected speech Lecture (3 hr) LO5 LO7
Some transcription anomalies Tutorial (1 hr) LO7 LO8
Week 06 1. Word level; 2. Phonological rules Lecture (3 hr) LO5 LO7 LO12
Transcribing connected speech Tutorial (1 hr) LO7 LO12 LO13
Week 07 1. Complex clauses; 2. Suprasegmentals Lecture (3 hr) LO4 LO5 LO7
What we don’t transcribe Tutorial (1 hr) LO4 LO7 LO8
Week 08 1. Grammar task; 2. Phonotactics Lecture (3 hr) LO5 LO7
1, Using the rules to help with transcription; 2. Transcribing from recordings Tutorial (1 hr) LO4 LO7 LO8
Week 09 1. Semantics and pragmatics; 2. No Tuesday lecture - pubic holiday Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2
No tutorial - public holiday Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 10 1. language acquisition; 2.Psycholinguistics; 3. Writing systems; 4. Practice exam and preparation Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Practice transcription test Tutorial (1 hr) LO7
Week 11 1. Sociolinguistics; 2. Language change; 3. Transcription task Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO12 LO13
Review of transcription task Tutorial (1 hr) LO7
Week 12 Acoustic phonetics Lecture (3 hr) LO2 LO4 LO10 LO11
Transcribing disordered speech - diacritics Tutorial (1 hr) LO4 LO6 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
Week 13 Unit revision Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13
Transcription – what’s expected in clinic Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12

Attendance and class requirements

Classes will be conducted online and will be recorded. Attendance is not compulsory but highly recommended.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed on the Library eReserve link available in the Canvas site for this unit. Electronic copies of the Grammar and Phonetics Handbook will be provided for downloading via the Canvas Site.

  • Fromkin, V., Rodman, R., Hyams, N., Collins, P., Amberbe, M. & Cox, F. (2015). An Introduction to Language (Australia and New Zealand 8th,  9th, or 10th edition) Cengage, Victoria.
  • Grammar Handbook
  • Phonetics 1 Handbook

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Identify and differentiate component levels of oral and written language such as form (phonology/ orthography), meaning (semantics), and structure (morphology/syntax)
  • LO2. Describe and compare key theories and models of key linguistic processes such as spoken word recognition and semantic representation
  • LO3. identify and discuss the range of professionals that work with spoken and written language and its component parts
  • LO4. Describe, interpret, and apply scientific information and evidence relating to linguistics, phonetics, and phonology necessary to meet the communication needs of individuals and communities
  • LO5. demonstrate competence in analysis of syntax/grammar
  • LO6. demonstrate an understanding and skills using professional oral and written communication academically and as a health professional
  • LO7. demonstrate competence in broad (phonemic) transcription of adult and child Australian English. Use using appropriate diacritics
  • LO8. demonstrate an understanding of the importance of reliability measures and ability to evaluate phonemic transcription reliability
  • LO9. understand vowel and diphthong mapping onto an acoustic-articulatory map using knowledge of formants
  • LO10. select appropriate sampling rates when digitally recording speech signals for analysis in clinical and research settings
  • LO11. identify individual phonemes within connected speech on a spectrograph, and relate findings to articulatory function using the Source-Filter model of speech production
  • LO12. compare and interpret vowels of various dialects of English including culturally diverse dialects and the range of vowels within Aboriginal English, using an acoustic-articulatory map
  • LO13. demonstrate an understanding of simultaneous and sequential bilingualism as it relates to the development of speech production, spoken and written language

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9
LO1         
LO2         
LO3         
LO4         
LO5         
LO6         
LO7         
LO8         
LO9         
LO10         
LO11         
LO12         
LO13         

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes Competency standards
LO1
Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) - SPA
2.5. Acquire, critique and integrate knowledge from a range of sources
LO2
Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) - SPA
1.5. Maintain high standards of communication, information sharing and record keeping
2.5. Acquire, critique and integrate knowledge from a range of sources
LO3
Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) - SPA
1.4. Collaborate with individuals, their supports, our colleagues and the community
3.1. Develop shared understanding of speech pathology
LO4
Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) - SPA
2.5. Acquire, critique and integrate knowledge from a range of sources
3.2. Assess communication and swallowing needs
LO5
Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) - SPA
3.2. Assess communication and swallowing needs
LO6
Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) - SPA
1.5. Maintain high standards of communication, information sharing and record keeping
LO7
Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) - SPA
3.2. Assess communication and swallowing needs
LO8
Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) - SPA
3.3. Interpret, diagnose and report on assessments
Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) - SPA
3.2. Assess communication and swallowing needs
Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) - SPA
2.5. Acquire, critique and integrate knowledge from a range of sources
3.2. Assess communication and swallowing needs
Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) - SPA
2.5. Acquire, critique and integrate knowledge from a range of sources
3.1. Develop shared understanding of speech pathology
Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) -
Competency code Taught, Practiced or Assessed Competency standard
1.1 A Provide ethical and evidence-based practice
2.4 A Participate in professional development
2.5 A Acquire, critique and integrate knowledge from a range of sources
3.2 A Assess communication and swallowing needs
3.3 A Interpret, diagnose and report on assessments
3.6 A Support development of the profession

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Disclaimer

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