Doing Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics

• Credit value: 30 credits at Level 4
• Convenor: Dr Peter Damrau
• Assessment: a 500-word writing task (5%), 800-word take-home test (30%), 1200-word essay (60%) and class attendance and participation (5%)

In this module we prepare you for effective study in the areas of modern languages, cultures and linguistics.You will gain a range of study skills (e.g. attending lectures and note-taking, library skills, writing essays and commentaries, preparing for written assignments, understanding feedback, language learning skills) and learn basic concepts and orientations in the study of modern languages, cultures and linguistics.

Indicative syllabus

• Introduction: studying languages, cultures and applied linguistics
• What does it mean to study literature/linguistics/visual and performative arts/film/history?
• What does it mean to work across cultures (including via translation) and across disciplines?
• Attending lectures and note-taking
• Library skills
• Effective language learning
• Learning vocabulary in another language
• Close reading and writing a commentary
• Essay writing
• Preparing for language exams
• Preparing for written assessment
• Referencing and plagiarism

By the end of this module, you will have:

• acquired basic skills for analysis of cultural artefacts and texts (spoken and written) from a range of perspectives
• developed strategies for effective language learning.
• gained a general understanding of the basic concepts and orientations in the study of modern languages, cultures and linguistics at university level.