Universität Wien

160153 PS Introductory Seminar on Language Acquisition (2024S)

6.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 16 - Musikwissenschaft und Sprachwissenschaft
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle

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. 40 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Tuesday 05.03. 14:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum 8 Sensengasse 3a 5.OG
  • Tuesday 19.03. 14:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum 8 Sensengasse 3a 5.OG
  • Tuesday 09.04. 14:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum 8 Sensengasse 3a 5.OG
  • Tuesday 16.04. 14:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum 8 Sensengasse 3a 5.OG
  • Tuesday 23.04. 14:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum 8 Sensengasse 3a 5.OG
  • Tuesday 30.04. 14:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum 8 Sensengasse 3a 5.OG
  • Tuesday 07.05. 14:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum 8 Sensengasse 3a 5.OG
  • Tuesday 14.05. 14:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum 8 Sensengasse 3a 5.OG
  • Tuesday 21.05. 14:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum 8 Sensengasse 3a 5.OG
  • Tuesday 28.05. 14:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum 8 Sensengasse 3a 5.OG
  • Tuesday 04.06. 14:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum 8 Sensengasse 3a 5.OG
  • Tuesday 11.06. 14:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum 8 Sensengasse 3a 5.OG
  • Tuesday 18.06. 14:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum 8 Sensengasse 3a 5.OG
  • Tuesday 25.06. 14:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum 8 Sensengasse 3a 5.OG

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Humans are born to learn language without any formal teaching or training and, once learned, we use language in every possible situation automatically. But how do we do this? What is the basis of this uniquely human ability?

This course will examine these core questions within the context of language acquisition, which is an integral part of the theory of human language ability. You will learn about the characteristics of the language acquisition process and how different theories propose to account for them. After a few more general sessions on the neurobiological basis of language, we will concentrate on language acquisition in the first years of life. You will see that children's knowledge of language is surprisingly advanced even before they utter their first word. We will also discuss the brain's critical period for language acquisition, including the neurophysiology of second language learning, critical vs. sensitive periods of learning, and the universality of the neural language network.

Assessment and permitted materials

Attendance and participation: 20%, Presentation: 30%, Final paper: 50%
Overall, 50% of success in each component merits a passing grade.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Students are expected to attend class regularly and actively participate in the discussion. There will also be weekly reading assignments to facilitate the discussion, which students are expected to read in advance. Students must give a presentation on a research paper and submit a final essay. The final essay will be marked according to pre-specified marking criteria, which will be made available on Moodle.

Examination topics

Topics discussed in class, readings

Reading list

To be made available on Moodle.

Association in the course directory

MA1-M3-3

Last modified: Mo 04.03.2024 11:26