Professor Felicity Meakins
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Languages & Cultures School
This course examines one Australian Aboriginal language in some detail, comparing it with other Australian languages and with English. Topics include the phonology and grammar, the way meaning is encoded, socio-linguistic variation and linguistic behaviour, language change, working with language speakers and historical documents. Both spoken and written language sources are studied.
This course may be cancelled if there are fewer than 20 enrolments.
This course will introduce students to First Nations languages by focussing on a particular language which in 2025 will be the Bilinarra language of northern Australia. The course will be a staged reading of A Grammar of Bilinarra using Bilinarra to English Dictionary as an additional resource. We will be examining general issues in the description of First Nations languages as well as those specific to the Bilinarra language, using a corpus of primary materials including recordings, transcriptions of texts and elicitation sessions.
Course requirements
Assumed background
This course is pitched at students who have completed the obligatory introductory linguistics courses and who have also completed LING2040 Morphology or are undertaking it in parallel. Knowledge of basic linguistic terms and concepts will be assumed, but no previous knowledge of Australian languages is assumed.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
LING1000, LING1005, 4 units of Level 2 or 3 courses from the Linguistics Major
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
LING2025
Course staff
Course coordinator
Lecturer
Professor Felicity Meakins
Mx Gari Tudor-Smith
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
a. Investigate the structure of one First Nations language in some depth.
b. Develop language analysis skills through the study of language data which can be applied to the examination of any language.
c. Learn how to compare languages with neighbouring and related languages.
d. Explore links between culture and language.
e. Extend knowledge of linguistic systems.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Know how to read and interpret descriptive grammars to gain an understanding of the language.
LO2.
Understand links between language and culture as exemplified in the data.
LO3.
Engage with both primary and secondary language materials.
LO4.
Understand the principles and challenges of undertaking grammatical description from primary language materials.
LO5.
Extend your knowledge to the understanding of other languages.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tutorial/ Problem Set |
Five worksheets
|
50% |
WEEK 3 - 11/08/2025 2:00 pm WEEK 5 - 25/08/2025 2:00 pm WEEK 7 - 8/09/2025 2:00 pm WEEK 9 - 22/09/2025 2:00 pm WEEK 12 - 20/10/2025 2:00 pm
To be submitted in class on MONDAYS of designated weeks. |
| Presentation |
Presentation
|
10% |
27/10/2025 2:00 pm
WEEK 13 In class |
| Essay/ Critique |
Major Assignment
|
40% |
10/11/2025 5:00 pm
Monday, EXAM WEEK 1 Submission via Turnitin. |
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
Five worksheets
- Hurdle
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Weight
- 50%
- Due date
WEEK 3 - 11/08/2025 2:00 pm
WEEK 5 - 25/08/2025 2:00 pm
WEEK 7 - 8/09/2025 2:00 pm
WEEK 9 - 22/09/2025 2:00 pm
WEEK 12 - 20/10/2025 2:00 pm
To be submitted in class on MONDAYS of designated weeks.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
This assignment includes five worksheets on a number of problems on features of Bilinarra. It consists of short answer questions and problems, which students complete outside of class time and submit in class.
Statement on Generative AI & MT
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Hurdle requirements
You must pass this item to pass the course.Submission guidelines
The assignment to be submitted in class
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
The maximum extension permitted is 7 calendar days, as answers to the assignment will be discussed in class one week after the due date. Extensions are not possible beyond this point.
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.
Presentation
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- Team or group-based
- In-person
- Mode
- Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
27/10/2025 2:00 pm
WEEK 13
In class
- Other conditions
- Secure.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
1 presentation of a worksheet in a group of three of approximately 20 minutes.
Statement on Generative AI & MT
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
You must pass this item to pass the course.Submission guidelines
Presentations will occur in class.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Presentations are based on the weekly worksheets and are designed to follow a specific sequence. To maintain the flow of the course across the semester, presentations need to occur in their scheduled order. For this reason, extensions are limited to a maximum of seven calendar days.
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.
Major Assignment
- Hurdle
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
10/11/2025 5:00 pm
Monday, EXAM WEEK 1
Submission via Turnitin.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
The assignment will be a 3000-word essay where students choose a topic from Bilinarra grammar and put it in the context of other First Nations languages. Topics and reading lists will be provided to students.
Statement on Generative AI & MT
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
You must pass this item to pass the course.Submission guidelines
The assignment to be uploaded via TurnItIn.
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.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
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
Library resources are available 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 |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (28 Jul - 03 Aug) |
Lecture |
Introduction to History and Kinship Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L05 |
Lecture |
Kinship exercise Learning outcomes: L02, L05 |
|
Week 2 (04 Aug - 10 Aug) |
Lecture |
Phonology - overview of phonology Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04, L05 |
Lecture |
Transcription exercise Learning outcomes: L03, L04 |
|
Week 3 (11 Aug - 17 Aug) |
Lecture |
Parts of Speech Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04, L05 |
Lecture |
Discussion of Worksheet 1 Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Week 4 (18 Aug - 24 Aug) |
Lecture |
Nominals (Structure and Case) Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04, L05 |
Lecture |
Practice exercises and discussion Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Week 5 (25 Aug - 31 Aug) |
Lecture |
Nominals (Number, Adnominal, Derivational, Kinship) Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L05 |
Lecture |
Discussion of Worksheet 2 Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04 |
|
Week 6 (01 Sep - 07 Sep) |
Lecture |
Nominals (Demonstratives, Interrogatives/Indefinites) Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L05 |
Lecture |
Practice exercises and discussion Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04 |
|
Week 7 (08 Sep - 14 Sep) |
Lecture |
Pronouns Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L05 |
Lecture |
Discussion of Worksheet 3 Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04 |
|
Week 8 (15 Sep - 21 Sep) |
Lecture |
Pronouns cont., Possession Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Lecture |
Practice exercises and discussion Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04 |
|
Week 9 (22 Sep - 28 Sep) |
Lecture |
Inflecting Verbs, Spatial Relations Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L05 |
Lecture |
Discussion of Worksheet 4 Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Week 11 (13 Oct - 19 Oct) |
Lecture |
Coverbs Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L05 |
Lecture |
Practice exercises and discussion Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04 |
|
Week 12 (20 Oct - 26 Oct) |
Lecture |
Simple Clauses Learning outcomes: L02, L03 |
Lecture |
Discussion of Worksheet 5 Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L05 |
|
Week 13 (27 Oct - 02 Nov) |
Lecture |
Clitics, Complex Clauses 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 for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.