MRes Linguistics

Institution University of Essex, Colchester Campus
Method At the institution
Location Colchester
Type Masters
Course fee By request

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MRes Linguistics

Objectives This graduate programme provides students with the opportunity to: Undertake an original and advanced piece of individual research in linguistics; Become familiar with contemporary approaches to the study of language; Develop a critical, in-depth comprehension of one or more theoretical and/or descriptive subdisciplines of linguistics (e.g. Minimalist syntax; Child Language Acquisition; Morphology; Language Processing; Conversation Analysis; Geolinguistics); Acquire the necessary methodological and analytical skills to formulate, test and critically evaluate research; Achieve both practical and theoretical knowledge of major paradigms and interpretive traditions in linguistics; Acquire knowledge of the methods and tools employed to conduct linguistic analysis; Develop a critical appreciation of primary literature in the field; Acquire a wide range of skills required for future professional engagement in academic life; Acquire a range of research support skills; such as analysis of corpora; use of statistics. Acquire a wide range of general research abilities and methods as well as transferable cognitive skills, practical skills and key skills; Acquire a foundation for employment (including academic employment) and life-long learning.
Entry requirements Entry Qualifications A good BA honours (or equivalent) degree (high 2:1 or above). For non-native speakers of English, an IELTS score of 7, or equivalent. Students with 6.5 or equivalent will be considered by will be required to take English for Academic Purposes to support their programme. Some prior knowledge of Linguistics is recommended.
Academic title MRes Linguistics
Course description
Course Description
The MRes in Linguistics provides tailored support for the researcher-in-training in any of the areas covered by the Department, with a choice from all the 70 plus graduate modules available, according to the nature of their dissertation project.

Modules and Options

The lists of modules below represent the range of options available for each year of study. This may not be a complete list of the options you will study, and may be subject to change, so please contact the department for further details.

Stage 1

    Compulsory: DISSERTATION (RESEARCH)

Teaching and Assessment Methods

A: Knowledge and Understanding
    Learning Outcomes
    A1 : familiarity with contemporary approaches to the study of language
    A2 : conducted advanced piece of linguistic research
    A3 : practical and theoretical knowledge of major paradigms and interpretive traditions in linguistics
    A4 : knowledge of key concepts, issues, ideas, theories, styles of argumentation and evaluation criteria, used in contemporary linguistic research
    A5 : knowledge of methods and tools employed to conduct linguistic analysis
    A6 : critical, in-depth comprehension of one or more theoretical and/or descriptive subdisciplines of linguistics
    A7 : knowledge or range of research support skills

    Teaching Methods
    A1 and A3-7 are addressed in lectures, as well as seminar, class and tutorial discussion. A2 is achieved through individual supervision. Web and instructional course materials, including library and internet materials are used to achieve A1-4 and A6-7. Students will also gain knowledge of the skills required for future professional engagement in academic life through a Professional Development course. There is also office and email consultation with staff as well as written and oral feedback on work.

    Assessment Methods
    A1, A3-7 are assessed by written coursework in the form of essays (usually a 3000 word essay per course) and exercises. The dissertation is instrumental in the achievement of A2, A5-6, being the most significant form of assessment with respect to knowledge and understanding acquired in the taught part of the course.

B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills
    Learning Outcomes
    B1 : Critically evaluate contrasting linguistic theories/ accounts/explanations/approaches, demonstrating an understanding of the relationship between theory and data or practice
    B2 : Ability to abstract and synthesise information from a range of sources (lectures/seminars/classes, journals, books, internet etc.) identifying central concepts and findings.
    B3 : Make systematic observations and insightful generalisations about complex behaviour (or data, or other materials), and analyse the relevant material using advanced specialised techniques.

    Teaching Methods
    B1 - B3 are developed in seminars, classes and tutorials. B2 is developed in directed reading of library and internet materials, as well as printed instructional course materials. There is also office and email consultation with staff, as well as written and oral feedback on work.

    Assessment Methods
    B1 0 3 are assessed by written coursework in the form of essays (usually a 3000 word essay per course) and exercises. In its development of advanced intellectual and cognitive skills, the dissertation is central in assessing B3.

C: Practical Skills
    Learning Outcomes
    C1 : Retrieve information from a variety of sources (e.g. Library, WWW, CD-rom)
    C2 : Utilise advanced techniques and tools relevant to the collection, analysis or presentation of linguistic data, with a minimum of guidance
    C3 : Propose, plan, undertake, write up and present an independent survey or report (e.g. on research undertaken individually or in collaboration with others, or on a case study), with a minimum of guidance

    Teaching Methods
    Throughout the scheme practical skills C1 - 3 are developed through independent learning in preparation for classes, seminars, essays and presentations. In particular, these skills are mobilised in preparation for tutorials for the dissertation. Office and email consultation with staff, as well as written/oral feedback on work is provided through both the coursework and dissertation phases of the degree.

    Assessment Methods
    Coursework and essays play an important part in the assessment of all skills C1 - 3. It is in marking of the dissertation, however, that these skills, particularly C2 and C3 - become particularly salient.

D: Key Skills
    Learning Outcomes
    D1 : Communicating complex ideas effectively in writing, writing essays, reports and reviews using the appropriate register and style.
    D2 : Using advanced computational tools and software packages to obtain, store and process information stored in electronic form (e.g. from the Library, WWW or CD-rom), and (where appropriate) to analyse data and results
    D3 : Under guidance, interpreting relevant statistical information and, where required, showing familiarity with complex procedures of symbol manipulation
    D4 : Analysing complex data-sets or behaviour, abstracting insightful generalisations and testing abstract hypotheses
    D5 : Under guidance, working independently, demonstrating initiative, self-organisation and time-management in tackling and solving complex problems

    Teaching Methods
    The key skills, D1, D2, D4 and D6 are taught throughout the scheme in preparation for lectures, seminars, tutorials and coursework assignments. Oral presentation in class may be used to develop skills of oral communication in parallel with D1; students are also encouraged to collaborate with others to achieve common goals e.g. in project planning, management and presentation. Seminars and tutorials are used to develop D3 and D4. There is also office and email consultation with staff, as well as written/oral feedback on work.

    Assessment Methods
    Coursework essays are used in the development of all key skills D1 to D4 and D6. Coursework exercises specifically develop D3 and D4. The dissertation constitutes an overall assessment of these skills in judging communication, problem solving and independent learning.