Course description
The masters program provides specialist training and a professional qualification for graduates who are working, or seeking to work in the field, and may also be taken for general interest. High achieving students who complete the thesis option may qualify for entry to a masters by research or PhD
Objectives:
Students who complete the masters should:
* acquire an advanced level understanding of concepts, current issues and research methods in the core areas of applied linguistics;
* complete a focused piece of research if undertaking the thesis component of the course;
* gain specialist knowledge and research techniques in adult ESOL.
Course Structure & Available Subjects:
Coursework only
* two compulsory subjects
* two core subjects
* elective subjects
Course total: 100 points. Subjects are 12.5 points each, unless indicated otherwise.
Coursework and Minor Thesis
* two compulsory subjects
* two core subjects
* a thesis subject 10,000 words
* elective subjects
Course total: 100 points. Subjects are 12.5 points each, unless indicated otherwise.
Depending on the subjects completed, students who discontinue the course after completing 50 points may be eligible for a postgraduate certificate.
Compulsory subjects
Subject Semester Credit Points
175-503 Research in Applied Linguistics
Introduction to the range of approaches to research as practised in applied linguistics. Topics to be covered focus on three main areas: research paradigms, or the philosophical assumptions concerning knowledge and inquiry and the ethical considerati... Semester 1 12.50
175-522 Second Language Acquisition
This subject offers a survey of the principal topics currently addressed in the study of second language acquisition, and of the major research methods and paradigms used in such studies. Students should expect to be able to understand critical obser... Semester 2 12.50
Core subjects (two of):
Students must choose two of the three core subjects.
Subject Semester Credit Points
175-507 Quantitative Methods in Language Studies
This is an introductory subject designed to enable students to acquire the basic tools necessary for critically READING about and carrying out quantitative empirical research in applied linguistics. Students will be given practice in the application ... Semester 1 12.50
175-526 Grammar & Discourse
This subject explores the main areas of grammar and discourse, including morphology, syntax, discourse analysis, and pragmatics, from an applied linguistics perspective. Throughout the subject, material is drawn from different spoken and written vari... Semester 1 12.50
175-525 English Phonetics and Phonology
This subject focuses on aspects of the English sound system. Students gain a detailed understanding of the sound system of different varieties of English. The main topics covered include: phonetic analysis (vowel and consonant systems, phonotactics, ... Semester 2 12.50
Elective subjects (to total 100 points)
Subject Semester Credit Points
175-507 Quantitative Methods in Language Studies
This is an introductory subject designed to enable students to acquire the basic tools necessary for critically READING about and carrying out quantitative empirical research in applied linguistics. Students will be given practice in the application ... Semester 1 12.50
175-526 Grammar & Discourse
This subject explores the main areas of grammar and discourse, including morphology, syntax, discourse analysis, and pragmatics, from an applied linguistics perspective. Throughout the subject, material is drawn from different spoken and written vari... Semester 1 12.50
175-534 Sociolinguistics and Language Learning
In this subject, students will gain a systematic understanding of the relation between language and society and culture and its implications for language learning and teaching. The main topics covered include: Social, regional and stylistic variation... Semester 1 12.50
175-539 Bilingualism
This subject examines the phenomenon of bi-/multilingualism, especially in the Australian context. It enables students to understand the choices made by speakers, the role of language contact in language change, and how languages are processed. It al... Semester 1 12.50
175-509 Computer-Mediated Language Learning
By engaging them in practical classroom tasks, the subject introduces students to the pedagogical and technological issues involved in effective design, development and delivery of computer-assisted language learning (CALL) materials. The subject inv... Semester 1 12.50
175-406 Directed Reading Project
This subject is a special program of study on a particular area of interest within the linguistics and applied linguistics undergraduate program. It is designed to either complement an honours thesis topic, extend knowledge within a subject already s... Semester 1, Semester 2 12.50
175-516 Minor Thesis - Applied Linguistics
A thesis of 10,000 words on an approved research project Semester 1, Semester 2 25
175-501 Presenting Academic Discourse
This subject aims to develop the advanced language required for successful postgraduate study in English. In this subject students will develop critical approaches to researching, reading and writing. They will also develop the ability to plan and pr... Semester 1, Semester 2 12.50
175-519 Current Issues in Applied Linguistics B
This subject will cover the social dimension of language testing. Grounded in modern approaches to validity theory, we will discuss the traditional psychometric view, which focuses on fairness, but also more recent views, which incorporate social ide... Semester 2 12.50
175-525 English Phonetics and Phonology
This subject focuses on aspects of the English sound system. Students gain a detailed understanding of the sound system of different varieties of English. The main topics covered include: phonetic analysis (vowel and consonant systems, phonotactics, ... Semester 2 12.50
175-513 Language Testing
Introduction to the theory and practice of language testing in a range of second language contexts. Topics covered include the social and political functions of tests; test validity; test reliability; the purpose of language tests (achievement, profi... Semester 2 12.50
175-512 Language Program Evaluation
This subject explores the systematic attempt to examine what happens in (and as a result of) a language program. While this information will typically be used to make judgements or decisions about a program, the notion of evaluation as exploring the ... Semester 2 12.50
175-536 World Englishes
The spread of English through colonialism, its transformation in decolonisation, and its further expansion are examined in this course. We will address the changes in patterns and use of English in different sociopolitical settings, the historical fa... Semester 2 12.50
175-511 Language Curriculum Design
This subject will not be available in 2009 12.50
175-436 Australian Linguistics Institute
This subject will no be available in 2009 12.50
Notes:
* Students must gain written approval from the course coordinator before enrolling in 175-514 or 175-535
*Students taking 175-516 Minor Thesis should do so in the final semester of their course
