Entry requirements

45 credits in linguistics, phonetics, psychology and/or medicine

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• give an account of, evaluate and critically discuss theoretical models concerning the organisation of language in the brain;
• problematise phonology, grammar, lexicon and pragmatics from a neurolinguistic perspective;
• give a basic account of the relationship between spoken and written language in the brain;
• give a basic account of the relationship between speech production and perception in the brain;
• give a general account of non-verbal linguistic processes in the brain;
• give a basic account of language and the brain from a multilingual perspective;
• obtain, evaluate and critically discuss research on linguistic representations in the brain and language processing in healthy individuals.

Content

The course provides a knowledge of theoretical models concerning the organisation of language in the brain (i.e. the functional anatomy of language) and a knowledge of phonology, grammar, semantics, lexicon, discourse and pragmatics from a neurolinguistic perspective. Theories of these levels of language and their relationship with the brain are discussed. Further subjects included are brain networks used in understanding and producing spoken and written language, and gestures and other non-verbal communication. The course also discusses multilingualism from a neurolinguistic perspective. Students practise obtaining, evaluating and critically discussing brain research on linguistic representations in the brain and language processing in healthy individuals

Instruction

The teaching consists of lectures, exercises and assessment. Students' independent learning activities are crucial to their work in the course.

The teaching will take place in the form of seminars combining lecture components with active participation. Examples of activity that are expected of course participants:

• Course participants will solve small assignments, independently or in groups, for subsequent discussion.
• Course participants will seek information, independently or in groups, for subsequent oral presentation and discussion.
• Course participants will work with diagrams for a deeper understanding of functional anatomy.
• Course participants will ask questions about lecture components or literature, leading to discussion.

The course also contains written assignments. In written assignments, each course participant works independently and obtains individual feedback.

Assessment

Students show the results of their learning through assessed components. The assessment is based on the intended course learning outcomes and consists of written examination, oral presentations and participation in compulsory learning activities. Specific regulations on assessment components and compulsory learning activities are available at the beginning of the course. If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. Special reasons can include notification of special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator. Assessment may be based on the contents of lectures even when attendance at lectures is not compulsory.

Passing the course requires:

- a passing grade in all compulsory teaching components

- a passing grade in the examination

A student who has failed an examination has the right to take an equivalent examination a further four times (in total, five examinations). If special circumstances apply, the programme committee can allow an additional examination. Every time a student participates in an examination counts as an examination attempt. Submission of a 'blank' paper counts as an examination attempt.

A student has the right to request a change of examiner after two failed examination

Other directives

The course may be given in English