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School of Engineering and Informatics (for staff and students)

Language, Mind and Brain (Q1202E)

Language, Mind and Brain

Module Q1202E

Module details for 2023/24.

15 credits

FHEQ Level 5

Module Outline

This module focuses on linguistic ability as a unique quality of humans. How does human language differ from animal communication systems? How is the human body, particularly the brain, adapted for language? Is language a special kind of cognition, or the product of general higher cognitive abilities? We further investigate how humans understand and produce speech in such a speedy and efficient way, using a variety of evidence to evaluate theories of how the mind is structured for speech. We'll ask questions like: How are words stored in the mind so that we can find them? Why are grammatical sentences like 'The horse raced past the barn fell' actually very difficult to comprehend? Why are words sometimes 'on the tip of the tongue'?

Module learning outcomes

Demonstrate some understanding of the nature of language as a cognitive phenomenon.

Appreciate the contribution of the various means by which language as a cognitive phenomenon is investigated: systematic observation, experimentation, computer modelling, and theoretical argument.

Develop critical skills and learn to interpret psycholinguistic data and arguments.

TypeTimingWeighting
Coursework100.00%
Coursework components. Weighted as shown below.
TestT2 Week 11 (1 hour)70.00%
ReportA2 Week 1 30.00%
Timing

Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.

Weighting

Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.

TermMethodDurationWeek pattern
Spring SemesterLecture1 hour11111111111
Spring SemesterSeminar1 hour11111111111

How to read the week pattern

The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.

Dr Lynne Cahill

Assess convenor, Convenor
/profiles/416

Prof Charlotte Taylor

Assess convenor
/profiles/329327

Prof M.Lynne Murphy

Assess convenor
/profiles/115259

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The University reserves the right to make changes to the contents or methods of delivery of, or to discontinue, merge or combine modules, if such action is reasonably considered necessary by the University. If there are not sufficient student numbers to make a module viable, the University reserves the right to cancel such a module. If the University withdraws or discontinues a module, it will use its reasonable endeavours to provide a suitable alternative module.

School of Engineering and Informatics (for staff and students)

School Office:
School of Engineering and Informatics, ÄûÃÊÊÓƵ, Chichester 1 Room 002, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9QJ
ei@sussex.ac.uk
T 01273 (67) 8195

School Office opening hours: School Office open Monday – Friday 09:00-15:00, phone lines open Monday-Friday 09:00-17:00
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