Module Directory detail
LG831-6-FY: PROJECT: LINGUISTICS
Year: 2010/11
Department: Language and Linguistics
Essex credit: 30
ECTS credit: 15
Comments: You need to be in the final year, and have found a member of staff interested in your topic, and filled in the form (available from the Undergraduate Administrator in the Language and Linguistics office). You should also not attempt a project in an area for which you have not taken (or are not currently taking) relevant taught modules.
Staff
| Supervisor: |
Dr. Enam Al Wer |
| Teaching Staff: |
Any member of Language & Linguistics academic staff may agree to supervise your project |
| Contact details: |
Dr. E. Al Wer, office: 4.203, telephone: 01206 872240, email: enama (Non essex users should add @essex.ac.uk to create the full email address) |
| Module is taught during the following terms |
| Autumn |  | Spring | | Summer | |
Module Description
Aims/intended outcomes:
Development of key skills such as: ability to work independently on an extended project, time management, self-directed learning, bibliographical search skills (online as well as on the bookshelves), web search skills (e.g. use of the Linguist List), skills of data collection (e.g. through the use of a questionnaire, an experiment or taped recordings), ability to analyse and interpret that data, ability to make effective use of a supervisor, ability to select and synthesise information and argue cogently, ability to organise and write up an extended report professionally, and even the ability to find out something original.
Syllabus:
Projects may be done in any of the areas of Linguistics covered by the Department, from theoretical (typically focussed more on argumentation) to applied (typically focussed more on data gathering), but obviously it is wise not to choose a topic way off anything you have been prepared for in the taught modules you have taken. Approach potential supervisors the summer before the final year and complete the form. Finish the project by the first week of the Summer term of the final year.
Learning & Teaching Methods
Quite different from the conventional scenario of taught modules where you write an assignment or exam answer on topics normally set by the lecturer, after the taught element, here you have the opportunity to take the lead and at each step first formulate your own ideas, plan, instruments, draft text etc...., then benefit repeatedly from feedback to help improve it. Note that the aim is for this to be done step by step. It is not wise to write a draft of the entire work before showing anything to your supervisor. You need to get feedback at each step to make sure you are on track.Assessment
100 per cent Coursework Mark
Other details:
100% assessed from the write up of the project you submit. Around 8000 words, by start of summer term.
Exam Duration and Period
Other information -
This is a supervised extended assignment with no taught classes, equivalent to a full year taught module.
Bibliography
This depends entirely on the topic of your project, and part of the project is for you to seek out yourself suitable references, though your supervisor may make some suggestions.
The following may be useful in general terms on choosing and doing many kinds of project:
Wray, A. 1998. Projects in linguistics: a practical guide to researching language. London: Arnold.
Further information
Should you have any queries about the Module Directory pages, please contact Lynne Brown, Systems Administration Office, Academic Section; email: lynneb. Non-essex users should add @essex.ac.uk to create the full email address.