Unit information: Psychology of Language in 2009/10

Unit name	Psychology of Language
Unit code	PSYC31035
Credit points	10
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1A (weeks 1 - 6)
Unit director	Professor. Damian
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Psychological Science
Faculty	Faculty of Life Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

This unit is a comprehensive overview of the perceptual and congnitive mechanisms involved in language acquisition, comprehension and production. A major aim of this unit is to sensitise students to the fact that, although seemingly effortless language activities require a great deal of complex anmd fast mental computation. A parallel aim is to provide insight into the contribution of environmental factors (e.g. multi-lingual exposure, deprivation) to language activities. In keeping with recent advances in behavioural neuroscience, an emphasis will be placed on the neuro-anatomical substrates of language functions.

Aims:

The unit aims at develop students intellectual skills and knowledge base. Students will be furnished with a thorough understanding of contemporary issues in the subject area and will learn about the role of empirical evidence in the formation of psycholinguistic theory, particularly emphasising the more recent interdisciplinary crossover between psycholinguistics and neuroscience. The acquisition of both generic and specific skills is furthered, and students are expected to be able to systematically analyse the relationships between multiple perspectives in the light of theory and evidence, and show a thorough grasp of theory and creative insight. Students are expected to further develop written and information synthesis skills, as well as critical evaluation skills by producing a piece of assessed written work and exams.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On completion of the unit, the students will:

• be able to explain how language processing differs from other auditory and visual abilities

• will master fundamental notions in speech acoustics

• will be able to identify the areas controlling language on a brain map.

• discuss current contentions about the status of language in evolution.

Teaching Information

12 lectures and 1 tutorial (up to 15 students in each tutorial).

Assessment Information

Summative assessment: One 2000 word essay (30%) and 1 2-hour exam (70%).

Reading and References

Core text:

• Harley, T.A. (2008). The psychology of language: From data to theory (3rd edition). Hove, England: Psychology Press.

Supplementary readings:

• Altmann, G. T. M. (1997). The ascent of Babel: An exploration of language, mind and understanding. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

• Gaskell, M. G. (2007). The Oxford handbook of psycholinguistics. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

• Jusczyk, P. W. (1997). The discovery of spoken language. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

• Pinker, S. (1994). The language instinct. New York: Harper Collins.