Dr Kathleen Jepson
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Languages & Cultures School
LING2010 furthers students’ knowledge of the sound systems of human languages. In this course, students will expand their understanding of properties of sounds systems and develop their skills in analysing sound patterns using theoretical approaches, testing hypotheses, and critically assessing evidence. Students will engage with data from a variety of languages including First Nations languages of Australia, become familiar with a range of theories, and learn about central issues in phonological theory.
We will cover topics including segmental alternations, phonotactics, rules and constraints, syllable structure, and aspects of prosody, considering classical and generative approaches to analysis. Minor adjustments may be made to the lecture program or reading list.
Course requirements
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
LING1005
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
LING7110
Course staff
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Public holidays:
Alternative arrangements for affected students will be announced through the Blackboard site.
Class allocation:
In order to optimise the student experience, it may be necessary to reallocate students to a different class from their first choice. Before this happens, every effort will be made to enable students to voluntarily change into an alternative class that is suitable. Please note: Teaching staff do not have access to the timetabling system to help with class allocation.
Therefore, should you need help with your timetable and/or allocation of classes, please ensure you email hass.mytimetable@uq.edu.au from your UQ student email account with the following details:
- Full name,
- Student ID, and
- the Course Code
Additional information and support can be found here.
Aims and outcomes
To familiarise students with the sound systems of spoken languages, their fundamental properties and how they vary.
To familiarise students with the central ideas and questions in phonological theory.
To allow students to develop a familiarity with a range of fundamental concepts and techniques of phonological analysis.
To equip students with essential skills needed for further study in phonology and related areas.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Demonstrate a well-founded understanding of phonology and how it interfaces with other subdisciplines within linguistics, specifically morphology and phonetics.
LO2.
Understand the most significant properties of sound systems in human language.
LO3.
Recognise elements of sound systems which are common to all human languages as well as the ways in which sound systems may differ.
LO4.
Demonstrate knowledge in a number of significant theoretical approaches to phonological analysis, as well as fundamental ideas and challenges in phonological theory.
LO5.
Engage in hypothesis testing, critical assessment of evidence and evaluation of modes of argumentation as applied to the analysis of aspects of sound systems.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation/ Student contribution, Presentation |
Language Profile
|
10% |
7/03/2025 - 19/05/2025
Presentations will be delivered every week between Week 2 and Week 12 during class time. Students sign up for a timeslot. Please note that the day selected for the presentation will become the student's due date. |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Tutorial/ Problem Set |
Transcription and analysis assignment
|
25% |
24/03/2025 5:00 pm 17/04/2025 5:00 pm |
| Tutorial/ Problem Set |
Exercise set
|
25% |
9/05/2025 5:00 pm |
| Tutorial/ Problem Set |
Final take home assignment
|
40% |
9/06/2025 5:00 pm |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Language Profile
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Oral, Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution, Presentation
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
7/03/2025 - 19/05/2025
Presentations will be delivered every week between Week 2 and Week 12 during class time. Students sign up for a timeslot. Please note that the day selected for the presentation will become the student's due date.
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L03, L04
Task description
Each week, in class, students present a profile of a language focusing on aspects of the phonology of the language. Choices of languages will be given by the instructor at the beginning of the course, and students may also suggest a language to present on. The presentation will be 3-5 minutes in duration and should follow the format specified in the assessment brief (available on Blackboard). Students may alternatively make a video of their presentation which will be played in class. Students are awarded a mark for presenting a profile of an agreed language during class, submitting a slide/pdf to accompany that presentation, and adherence to the brief.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
This assessment item must be attempted to pass the course.Submission guidelines
- Submit a PowerPoint slide or 1 page pdf by 9am on the student's allocated presentation date (via Blackboard).
- Presentation of 3-5 minutes in class OR provide a recorded video presentation of 3-5 minutes which will be played in class on the student's allocated presentation date. NOTE: If the student opts to make a video presentation, it must be submitted (via Blackboard) by 9am on the student's allocated presentation date.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Please note that extensions may not be granted beyond Week 13 as the presentation must be presented in class.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Transcription and analysis assignment
- Hurdle
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
24/03/2025 5:00 pm
17/04/2025 5:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L04, L05
Task description
This assessment has two parts.
PART 1: Transcription (10%):
In the first part of the assessment students will transcribe words from audio recordings using the International Phonetic Alphabet. Students will receive feedback on their transcriptions that will assist them in completing the second part of the assessment.
PART 2: Analysis (15%):
In the second part of the assessment students will answer questions related to the transcribed data, and develop phonological analyses of the transcribed data working within approaches and theories covered in the course.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
This assessment item must be attempted to pass the course.Submission guidelines
Both parts of this assessment are to be submitted through the Turnitin links on the Blackboard site. Students will need to scan handwritten work to submit it.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
PART 1: There is a maximum of 14 days extension possible for PART 1. If a student requires an extension beyond 14 days, they may not receive feedback on PART 1 before the due date of PART 2.
PART 2: There is a maximum of 14 days extension possible for PART 2. The maximum extension length ensures that assessors can provide timely feedback, supporting the progressive, sequential, and cumulative nature of learning that underpins this course. Solutions as well as general feedback are provided and discussed in class.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Exercise set
- Hurdle
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
9/05/2025 5:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
This assessment is set of exercises focusing on content from the first seven weeks of the course, including topics such as rules and rule ordering, features, and Optimality Theory. Students will have two weeks to complete the exercises.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
This assessment item must be attempted to pass the course.Submission guidelines
This assessment task is to be submitted through the Turnitin link on the Blackboard site. Students will need to scan handwritten work to submit it.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
The maximum extension length ensures that assessors can provide timely feedback, supporting the progressive, sequential, and cumulative nature of learning that underpins this course. Solutions as well as general feedback are provided and discussed in class.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Final take home assignment
- Hurdle
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
9/06/2025 5:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
This assignment is comprised of a set of phonological exercises. This is a summative assessment, covering aspects from the entire course.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
This assessment item must be attempted to pass the course.Submission guidelines
This assessment task is to be submitted through the Turnitin link on the Blackboard site. Students will need to scan handwritten work to submit it.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
An extension of 28 days will result in the student receiving the grade "INC"; the final grade will be updated once the assessment is submitted and marked. This may affect the student's ability to graduate in a July graduation ceremony.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 24 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 13 |
Workshop |
Workshops This course is run as series of workshops in which students engage in active learning. In each workshop, concepts will be introduced in short seminars, followed by practical and interactive activities and problem sets in which students analyse linguistic data and engage with content from the course. There will be opportunities for discussion and interaction. Readings for each week will enhance students’ understanding of covered topics, and short, optional online quizzes are available for students to test themselves on the content of each week. Course Plan by Week Week 1 - Introduction to the study of phonology Week 2 - Phonemes Week 3 - Phonotactics; Alternations, rules and constraints Week 4 - Optimality theory Week 5 - Feature theory Week 6 - Levels of representation and rules Week 7 - Rule formalisms and ordering Week 8 - Public holiday: No Workshop Week 9 - Issues in rule ordering Week 10 - Tone: Autosegmental theory Week 11 - Syllable structure Week 12 - Feature geometry Week 13 - Stress: Metrical theory Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.