Universität Wien

122250 AR MA+MEd Advanced Course in Linguistics - Focus: Historical (2025W)

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 12 - Anglistik
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle
We 17.12. 14:15-15:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 25 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

NB. No class on 7.1.

  • Wednesday 08.10. 14:15 - 15:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Wednesday 15.10. 14:15 - 15:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Wednesday 22.10. 14:15 - 15:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Wednesday 29.10. 14:15 - 15:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Wednesday 05.11. 14:15 - 15:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Wednesday 12.11. 14:15 - 15:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Wednesday 19.11. 14:15 - 15:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Wednesday 26.11. 14:15 - 15:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Wednesday 03.12. 14:15 - 15:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Wednesday 10.12. 14:15 - 15:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Wednesday 14.01. 14:15 - 15:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Wednesday 21.01. 14:15 - 15:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Wednesday 28.01. 14:15 - 15:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

In this course, we will explore key questions in language evolution research, such as how language first emerged, how languages change over time, and which social and cognitive pressures can shape these processes. We will also discuss selected methods used in current research to address those questions. Following introductory sessions on the foundations of language evolution, students will give presentations and lead discussions on specific topics and approaches in the field (e.g. iterated learning experiments, corpus-based studies, comparative research with non-human animals, multimodal approaches). In the second half of the semester, students will work in small groups to develop a podcast episode on their chosen topic, including the preparation of a script and a recording (note that the focus will be on content, focus and clarity, rather than the technical aspects of podcast production).

Assessment and permitted materials

Class attendance and active participation, readings & small assignments, presentation & leading a discussion on a selected topic, scripting & recording a podcast episode, final report

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Minimum requirements:
-) regular class attendance (max. 2 absences)
-) regular participation in class, completion of regular readings and small assignments, giving peer feedback
-) giving an oral presentation & leading an in-class discussion (in groups, on set date)
-) submitting a podcast script, incl. literature used for the podcast (in groups, on set date)
-) submitting a podcast recording (on set date)
-) submitting a written final report (on set date)
-) refraining from plagiarism in all tasks

Course evaluation is based on:
Active classroom participation, small assignments and peer feedback (20%)
Presentation & leading a discussion on a selected topic (20%)
Podcast script (20%)
Podcast recording (20%)
Final report (20%)
Pass grade: 60%

Grades:
1: 90-100%
2: 80-89.9%
3: 70-79.9%
4: 60-69.9%
5: < 60%

Examination topics

all contents covered in the relevant literature and in class will be used to complete the above described tasks

Reading list

Gibson, Kathleen R., and Maggie Tallerman (eds), The Oxford Handbook of Language Evolution (2011; online edn, Oxford Academic, 18 Sept. 2012), https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199541119.001.0001

Raviv, Limor, and Cedric Boeckx (eds), The Oxford Handbook of Approaches to Language Evolution, Oxford Handbooks (2025; online edn, Oxford Academic, 22 May 2025), https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780192886491.001.0001

Additional literature will be provided in class.

Association in the course directory

Studium: MA 812 [2]; UF MA 046/507
Code/Modul: MA M04, MA M05, UF MA 4B
Lehrinhalt: 12-0260

Last modified: Mo 10.11.2025 14:26