English Language and Applied Linguistics MA (2 years)
Master
In Huddersfield
Description
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Type
Master
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Location
Huddersfield
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Duration
2 Years
We place particular emphasis on analysing language in real-world contexts. Modules reflect staff expertise, which means you have the opportunity to engage with cutting-edge research in your area of interest.
We have a vibrant research community of national and international students, who often collaborate on projects and present their work within the supportive environment of our annual postgraduate conference. We hold a regular research seminar programme, with presentations by staff, students and visiting guest speakers, and organise and host conferences reflecting our own research interests.
Our staff have links with scholars at many top-ranking universities worldwide, from the United States of America to the Far East. Members of staff are on the committees of significant professional organisations (such as PALA – the Poetics and Linguistics Association, and edit major journals such as the internationally reputed peer-reviewed academic journal East Asian Pragmatics and the leading stylistics journal, Language and Literature.
Facilities
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Start date
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About this course
This course is designed to develop your knowledge of how language works, in particular the English language, enabling you to describe and analyse English and other languages with accuracy and insight.
You’ll gain a solid understanding of phonetics and phonology, syntax, semantics and pragmatics, and explore how that knowledge can be applied to the practical analysis of spoken and written, literary and non-literary texts.
On graduating from this course you'll be well equipped for a range of careers, including teaching, publishing, broadcasting, writing, PR, marketing, advertising, and management.
In addition, the discipline-specific skills – in particular analysing interaction on both macro- and micro-levels – will equip you well for advanced study or careers which might include advisory jobs for multinational companies and private/public organisations which need expertise in intercultural matters.
The variety of specialist knowledge you develop will also equip you well for a career in research, policy planning or third sector or voluntary sector work.
An Honours degree (2:1 or above) in a relevant subject.
Other relevant qualifications and/or experience may be considered.
Linguistics and Modern Languages is home to the internationally-recognised Centre for Intercultural Politeness Research, and the Stylistics Research Centre, as well as hosting research groups on language variation and change. Our staff hold official positions in the Linguistics Association of Great Britain (LAGB) and the Poetics and Linguistics Association (PALA).
We edit and publish the popular magazine Babel which is aimed at non-specialist readers with an interest in linguistics and language-related issues. As a student you'll have the opportunity to write or review for the magazine. We also publish Lingo, a digital publication aimed at younger readers.
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Subjects
- English Language
- English
- Phonetics
- Pragmatics
- Linguistics
- Descriptive Linguistics
- Theoretical
- English Conversation
- Phonetic Theory
- Analysing Interaction
Course programme
Core module:
Descriptive LinguisticsThis module aims to lay the theoretical and descriptive foundation that will form the basis of the other English Language and Applied Linguistics Master's modules. It aims to enable you to access and use different models of description of the English language, and to understand the theories underlying those models.
Option modules
Choose two from a list which may include:
PhoneticsThis module aims to provide an introduction to phonetics. We will focus on articulatory, impressionistic and acoustic aspects of phonetics. The module will begin with an introduction to phonetic theory and transcription using the International Phonetic Alphabet, and then followed by an introduction to a new piece of software to conduct acoustic analysis of speech.
Analysing InteractionThis module involves advanced study of the fundamental features of interaction, and exploration of a method for conducting detailed analysis of talk within and across cultures. It covers a range of different kinds of communication (from ordinary talk to formal news interviews) and explores the relationship between language and context in a range of culturally situated settings. You'll study the central underlying patterns by which interaction operates, and examines cutting-edge research on issues such as affiliation and action adjustment. Much of this research is drawn from Conversation Analysis, and we explore and critically assess main features of its methodology and findings.
StylisticsThis module aims to equip you with the analytical skills to identify the linguistic source of stylistic effects in literary and non-literary texts and to evaluate the interpretative significance of these for readers. You will engage with a range of debates in the field as well as cutting-edge research in cognitive and corpus stylistics to investigate both literary and non-literary style. The module covers both theoretical and methodological aspects of the study of stylistics.
Critical StylisticsThis module aims to equip you with a set of analytical skills used for the identification and evaluation of the linguistic devices which encode ideologies in spoken and written texts. The module’s case studies will include the advanced study of Critical Stylistics in a range of different texts, including both spoken and written texts.
Interpersonal PragmaticsThis module is about understanding and exploring what happens to and between people when they interact (chiefly, but not exclusively, through the use of language): how they convey their ‘meanings’; how they project their views of themselves, of others present, of their relationship with those others and of what is going on; how they interpret and evaluate what other people say; how these understandings make them feel.
Year 2Core module:
Dissertation in English Language and Applied LinguisticsThe module aims to guide you through the process of project-planning, including general research skills background reading, research and writing up. You will be guided in your choice of a project which interests you and allocated a supervisor to oversee your work as you bring the project to fruition.
Option modules
Choose one from a list which may include:
Analysing InteractionThis module involves advanced study of the fundamental features of interaction, and exploration of a method for conducting detailed analysis of talk within and across cultures. It covers a range of different kinds of communication (from ordinary talk to formal news interviews) and explores the relationship between language and context in a range of culturally situated settings. You'll study the central underlying patterns by which interaction operates, and examines cutting-edge research on issues such as affiliation and action adjustment. Much of this research is drawn from Conversation Analysis, and we explore and critically assess main features of its methodology and findings.
StylisticsThis module aims to equip you with the analytical skills to identify the linguistic source of stylistic effects in literary and non-literary texts and to evaluate the interpretative significance of these for readers. You will engage with a range of debates in the field as well as cutting-edge research in cognitive and corpus stylistics to investigate both literary and non-literary style. The module covers both theoretical and methodological aspects of the study of stylistics.
Critical StylisticsThis module aims to equip you with a set of analytical skills used for the identification and evaluation of the linguistic devices which encode ideologies in spoken and written texts. The module’s case studies will include the advanced study of Critical Stylistics in a range of different texts, including both spoken and written texts.
Interpersonal PragmaticsThis module is about understanding and exploring what happens to and between people when they interact (chiefly, but not exclusively, through the use of language): how they convey their ‘meanings’; how they project their views of themselves, of others present, of their relationship with those others and of what is going on; how they interpret and evaluate what other people say; how these understandings make them feel.
English Language and Applied Linguistics MA (2 years)