James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2017

AN2009 - Anthropological Linguistics

[Offered in odd-numbered years]

Credit points: 03
Year: 2017
Student Contribution Band: Band 1
Administered by: College of Arts, Society & Education

This subject focuses on the place of language in wider social and cultural contexts, and the role of language in shaping and sustaining cultural practices and social structures. It addresses basic structural features of language, both human language and animal communication. It encompasses cultural linguistics, which is presented in a general, cognitive model that can both serve as an ethnographic tool and encompass the great range of linguistic phenomena that anthropologists commonly encounter during fieldwork. Further issues include: linguistic relativity (language and worldview); language and identity; language ideologies, linguistic racism and ethnography of communication; language contact, change, and societal multilingualism; various issues in sociolinguistics; linguistic methods used in anthropology; language and nationalism; language, ecology and environment; and language politics in Australia and elsewhere. Students also receive a foundation in descriptive linguistics and documenting languages, with an emphasis on working with language communities.

Learning Outcomes

Assumed
Knowledge:
To undertake this subject, students must have successfully completed 12 credit points (four subjects) of level 1 study at tertiary level

Availabilities

Townsville, Internal, Study Period 2
Census Date 24-Aug-2017
Coordinator: Professor Alexandra Aikhenvald
Lecturers: Ms Cassy Nancarrow, Professor Robert Dixon.
Contact hours:
  • 26 hours lectures
  • 12 hours tutorials
    Assessment:presentations (40%); tutorial attendance and participation (20%); assignments (40%).

    Cairns, Internal, Study Period 2
    Census Date 24-Aug-2017
    Coordinator: Professor Alexandra Aikhenvald
    Lecturers: Ms Cassy Nancarrow, Professor Robert Dixon.
    Contact hours:
    • 26 hours lectures
    • 12 hours tutorials
      Assessment:presentations (40%); tutorial attendance and participation (20%); assignments (40%).

      Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.