REGULATIONS FOR THE BACHELOR OF ARTS HONOURS DEGREE IN APPLIED LINGUISTICS (BAAHL)

1.0               PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAMME

The degree programme is designed to achieve the following objectives:

1.1 To understand how to employ a range of research approaches to language, from discourse analysis to corpus linguistics,

1.2 To develop a thorough grounding in language research and its practical applications,

1.3 To use knowledge of how languages are formed to solve real-life problems,

1.4 To make students better communicators both orally and in writing, and

1.5 To prepare students for the real world of work by exposing them to different modules

2.0               ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

2.1               NORMAL ENTRY

To qualify for normal entry into the Bachelor of Arts Applied Linguistics, a candidate, in addition to satisfying the minimum conditions as prescribed under the General Regulations for English and Mathematics must have passed any Language subject at ‘A’ level with at least grade ‘C’.

2.2 SPECIAL ENTRY

Refer to Section 3.2 of the General Academic Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees of the Midlands State University.

2.3 MATURE ENTRY

Refer to Section 3.3 of the General Academic Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees of the Midlands State University.

3.0               PROGRAMME CHARACTERISTICS

3.1               AREA OF STUDY: Linguistics and Communication

3.2               SPECIALIST FOCUS: Phonetics and Phonology, Morphology and Syntax, Semantics, Sociolinguistics, Psycholinguistics, Second Language Acquisition, Corpus Linguistics, Occupational Discourses, Bilingualism

3.3               ORIENTATION: Research and innovation-oriented. Teaching and learning are professionally oriented and focused on both theoretical and practical aspects.

3.4               DISTINCTIVE FEATURES: The programme builds on cultural and heritage needs in Zimbabwe and abroad and focuses on knowledge development and application using a student-centred approach

Graduates of the programme are qualified to seek employment in areas including but not limited to publishing, public services, non-governmental organisations and communication-oriented fields, such as public relations and teaching.

MA and PhD studies in Linguistics/Communication or related field

PROGRAMME DELIVERY

Lectures, tutorials, seminars, group work, research projects, individual independent study

 PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

Code                     Module Title                                                            Credits

Level 1 Semester 1

BAALH101             Introduction to Phonetics and Phonology                   12

BAALH102             Introduction to Morphology and Syntax                     12

BAALH103             Introduction to Semantics                                         12

BAALH112             Basic French 1                                                         12

Level 1 Semester 2

BAALH105             Psycholinguistics                                                      12

BAALH106             English for Specific Purposes                                    12

BAALH107             Second Language Acquisition                                   12

BAALH113             Basic French 11                                                        12

Level 2 Semester 1

BAALH 201            Discourse Analysis                                                   12

BAALH 202            Language Policy and Planning                                   12

BAALH 203            Language and Media                                                12

Level 2 Semester 2

BAALH 205            Writing, Editing and Publishing                                 12

BAALH 206            Public Relations Communication                               12

BAALH 207            Introduction to Translation and Interpretation             12

BAALH 208            Theoretical Approaches to Multimodal Texts             12

Level 3 Semester 1 and 2: Work-Related Learning

BAALH 300            Work Placement Report                                            20

BAALH 301            Work -Related Learning Report                                 45

BAALH 302            Academic Supervisor’s Report                                  30

BAALH 303            Employers Assessment Report                                  30

Level 4 Semester 1

BAALH 401            English as a Second Language                               12

BAALH 402            Language, Culture and Development                         12

BAALH 403            Occupational Discourses                                           12

Level 4 Semester 2

BAALH 407            Alternative Mediation                                               12

BAALH 408            Bilingualism                                                             12

BAALH 470            Research Project                                                       24

 

14.0           MODULE SYNOPSES

BAALH 101 Introduction to Phonetics and Phonology

This module exposes students to the sound system of language and their patterning (phonetics and phonology). It is an introduction to the study of speech sounds and their patterning in the world’s languages. The goal of the module is to learn to produce, transcribe and describe in articulatory terms, sounds of human languages.

BAALH 102 Introduction to Morphology and Syntax

This module provides students with the knowledge and skills of how words are formed and how sentences are constructed from words. It studies the patterns and relationship of words, phrases and clauses to form sentences and the rules by which well-formed linguistic structures are constructed.

BAALH 103 Introduction to Semantics

This module introduces students to semantics. It defines semantics and explores the semantic structure of lexemes and the relationships amongst them. The module provides students with a deep understanding of key concepts in semantics and semantic analysis.

BAALH 105 Psycholinguistics

Psycholinguistics lies at the interface of linguistics and psychology. Using relevant theories, the module takes students through issues such as innateness of language, children’s language acquisition, biological basis of language and language disorders. The empirical evidence to be outlined in these areas shall make students understand the modularity of the brain and the organisation of language in the human mind.

BAALH 106 English for Specific Purposes

This module introduces students to the specialised ways of using English in specific contexts. It emphasises the factors that relate to the origins and development of English for specific Purposes as well as the role of the ESP practitioner. It aims at developing students’ skills in interpreting and analysing language used in specific contexts. The other aim is to develop student skills in linguistics and applied linguistic analysis.

BAALH 107 Second Language Acquisition

This module introduces the leading ideas in the study of how second languages are acquired. It introduces students to theories and approaches in second language acquisition. The module deals with learner-internal and learner-external factors that shape the route of second language development. Cognitive-interactionist and frequency-based perspectives of second language acquisition are dealt with as well as roles of learner factors such as age, first language and individual difference variables. The module further deals with the application of second language acquisition theory and research to facilitate second language learning.

BAALH 112 Basic French I

This module is meant for total beginners in French who wish to develop basic communicative competence in French. It will develop basic linguistic and communicative skills as well as concomitant intercultural awareness to enable the learner to interact with speakers of French at a basic level.

BAALH 113 Basic French II

Building on Basic French I, this module builds up the learner’s communicative competence in terms of conversation and writing up to reporting past events, stating wishes and expressing conditions.

BAALH 201 Discourse Analysis

This module examines the analysis of linguistic units larger than the sentence, including conversational structure, speech acts and the ethnography of speaking. It explores basic concepts in the study of discourse and the role of context in its study and introduces students to theories in the study of discourse.

BAALH 202 Language Policy and Planning

This module examines issues in the study of language policy and planning, including language choice and multilingualism. It explores how decisions concerning language policy and planning arise in response to socio-political needs. Thus, the module focuses on the ways and methods that are followed in formulating a language policy for a particular society and the planning that is undertaken before coming up with a decision on a particular language situation.

BAALH 203 Language and Media

This module discusses key concepts in the fields of, language and media. It introduces students to the notions of representation, and signs, which is central to what literary and media texts do. Dwelling on real-life examples the module shall pose questions to do with the nature and use of signs, texts, discourses and meanings in social contexts.

BAALH 204 Research Methods

This module introduces students to the basic tenets and practices of conducting research in Linguistics. The focus will be on both library and field research. By the end of the course, it is expected that students will be equipped with the necessary skills to formulate a topic from learnt aspects of Linguistics, design a proposal and collect data for analysis.

BAALH 205 Writing, Editing and Publishing.

This module allows the learners to explore their creative prowess through writing, editing and publishing skills. The module helps the learners place their practice within a contextual and critical framework through support, critique and feedback from both tutors and peers. The learners shall, therefore, be trained in the art of crafting a piece of writing, sharpening their editorial eyes as well as critical steps towards publishing.

BAALH 206 Public Relations Communication

This module provides an introduction to Public Relations Communication. The focus is on the communicative aspects of public relations and how they contribute to an organisation’s success or failure. Public relations communication is distinguished from other communication disciplines to appreciate the part it plays in the overall communication programmes of organisations.

BAALH 207 Introduction to Translation and Interpretation

This module introduces students to various approaches and techniques involved in translation and interpretation. Students shall be introduced to the various roles, modes and kinds of translation and interpretation. A comparative analysis of translation and interpretation shall also be done.

BAALH 208 Theoretical Approaches to Multimodal Texts

This module theorises the notion of intertextuality and underscores how an interpretation of the multiple and multi-modal forms expands the meaning potential of creative texts. The students identify and explain the existence of literary forms within a single format like a play, novel, advert, poetry and song.

BAALH 300 Work Placement Report

This is a report written by the student providing information on his/her placement details. The report format is provided by the Department.

 

BAALH 301 Work-Related Learning Report

This is a report written by the student based on their activities and experiences during Work- Related Learning. The report format is provided by the Department.

BAALH 302 Academic Supervisor’s Assessment

The Academic Supervisor’s assessment looks at the student’s conduct at the workplace. The focus will be on the ability to link working and learning, being initiative, creativity, ingenuity and perseverance in identifying and communicating with colleagues.

BAALH 303 Employer’s Assessment

The host supervisor’s assessment looks at the student’s conduct and behaviour, interpersonal skills development, operational competencies and leadership qualities.

BAALH 401 English as a Second Language.

This module builds on the module Second Language Acquisition. It critically examines a variety of approaches, methods, and techniques for teaching English to second language learners, beginning with the oldest ones to the most recent. It grounds these in second language acquisition theories and other areas of applied linguistics as well as in insights from general linguistics. English as a Second Language is examined in the Zimbabwean as well as the global context.

BAALH 402 Language Culture and Development.

This module deals with culture and how it affects and is affected by language as well as how this relates to development. It focuses on the relationship, in theory and practice, between language, culture and development. It makes a survey of the major ideas in the field of linguistics on what culture and development are and how they are interconnected with language. The module explores language and development as a socio-cultural activity. Students are expected to develop critical skills to analyse language in context and how cross-cultural differences might impact development. Students are also expected to explore and engage in current debates on language, culture and development.

 

BAALH 403 Occupational Discourses

This module surveys and differentiates a wide range of texts in English from professional and occupational genres. The module draws largely from stylistic studies paying particular attention to the relationship between linguistic form and textual function. The focus shall largely be placed on the functional defining features of the various discourses and how their distinct linguistic forms are used to encode linguistic function within the occupational and professional settings of their use.

BAALH 407 Alternative Mediation.

This module focuses on taking students through the study of alternative expressive/communication spaces. These spaces are used by people to escape various kinds of censorship in society.

BAALH 408 Bilingualism

This module provides a broad introduction to the concept of bilingualism and surveys leading ideas in the study of bilingualism using relevant theories. The focus shall be on multidisciplinary topics associated with the study of bilingualism, including issues relating to language, education, brain imaging and cognition. The module equips students with foundational skills to undertake research in the area of bilingualism.

BAALH 470 Research Project

This module focuses on the application of learnt concepts from other modules in the programme. It avails an opportunity for students to practice the skills from Field Methods in Linguistics as well as Research Methods in Linguistics. The research project is expected to be between 9 000 and 10 000 words or 45 to 50 pages of font 12 with double line spacing and it should focus strictly on Applied Linguistic aspects.