Research Topics in Language Studies (Research and Studies Skills - language).
Course supervisor - Peter White (e-mail p.r.white@bham.ac.uk)
This course aims to develop skills relevant for research in language studies while simultaneously introducing participants to a range of specific sub-topic areas within the field. The course is designed to be essentially self-directed - the content of the course will be delivered primarily through suggested readings, rather than through lectures. These readings will set out the linguistic theory which will underlie the various research activities and exercises which form the practical content of the course. The readings and activities will be supported by some seminars/tutorials (three to four per semester) and by a dedicated World Wide Web site. (The site can be accessed at the WEB address of www.grammatics.com/ResearchTopics/ .) The WEB site will enable participants to communicate with each other and with the course presenter through e-mail and through an on-line discussion group. It will supply a forum for participants to ask questions, raise any problems and to receive regular feedback. It is crucial, therefore, that participants have WEB and e-mail access, either through the university computers available to all students or through their own machines.
The course is organised into fortnightly units. Each unit will explore a particular research area and will involve a related research project or exercise. Each activity/exercise will be due for submission - usually via e-mail - at the end of the period allocated for each unit. Participants are encouraged to submit all the exercises but must submit at least three per semester. Feedback on the research activity will be provided via the course WEB site in the week following the unit. Accordingly, late submission of research materials for assessment will not be possible.
