Professor Ilana Mushin
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2026 (23/02/2026 - 20/06/2026)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Languages & Cultures School
The focus of this course will be on how we use language and other communicative strategies in real time interactions to acheive actions and facilitate social interaction. We will survey different approaches in the study of pragmatics but the main focus of the course will be on conversation analysis and how to use this particular approach to the study of face to face interaction.ﾠ
Course requirements
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
Linguistics students: LING1000, LING1005.
English as an International Language students: LING1000, COMU1002
Recommended prerequisites
We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:
Linguistics students: LING2035 or LING2000
English as an International Language students: LING2035
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
LING2055
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
The course aims to introduce students to the study of language in action through Conversation Analysis, a particular pragmatic approach to the study of naturally occurring language in use. Students will learn practical skills to account for the ways in which conversations unfold, and how these facilitate social interaction. There will be some comparison with other approaches to Pragmatics.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Demonstrate a well-founded understanding of the systematic ways that language is used in social interaction to accomplish social actions.
LO2.
Demonstrate ability to evaluate what aspects of the pragmatics of language appear to be common across languages and/or cultures and what aspects may vary according to language and/or culture.
LO3.
Demonstrate ability to transcribe and analyse conversational language from a video-recording using conversation analytic conventions.
LO4.
Engage in critical assessment of evidence and evaluation of modes of argumentation as applied to the analysis of pragmatic aspects of language.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Preliminaries
|
5% |
2/03/2026 5:00 pm
Monday, WEEK 2. Students who are not able to meet the due date (due to late enrolment) must contact the Course Coordinator as soon as possible to ensure they comply with this hurdle requirement. |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Essay/ Critique |
Data and Transcription
|
25% |
3/04/2026 2:00 pm
Friday, WEEK 6 |
| Presentation |
Doing Conversation Analysis
|
30% |
28/04/2026 - 19/05/2026
WEEK 9 - WEEK 12 Students will sign up for a 'time slot' in which to give their presentation in weeks 9-12. The student's assigned timeslot will be considered the due date and time for this assessment. |
| Essay/ Critique |
Essay
|
40% |
8/06/2026 5:00 pm
Monday, Exam WEEK 1 |
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
Preliminaries
- Hurdle
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 5%
- Due date
2/03/2026 5:00 pm
Monday, WEEK 2. Students who are not able to meet the due date (due to late enrolment) must contact the Course Coordinator as soon as possible to ensure they comply with this hurdle requirement.
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L04
Task description
This assignment is designed to get you thinking about what we might be able to find out about language in use before we actually start learning about established methods for doing so. The assessment will consist of a series of paragraph answers to questions.
You should attempt this assignment without any reference to any course materials other than the data and the instruction sheet. While GenAI may be used responsibly to check grammar and expression, it is a very poor tool for summarising the content of conversational data.
This assignment requires direct engagement with the recordings and their transcriptions. Fabrication or misrepresentation of sources will result in an automatic fail grade for this assessment, regardless of performance in other criteria. This includes but is not limited to: citing non-existent sources or attributing false quotes or paraphrases to real sources. Such issues demonstrate failure to meet the core learning outcomes for the course and may also be referred for academic misconduct.
Statement on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (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
This assignment must be attempted to receive a grade of 4 or higher in this course.Submission guidelines
Please submit via Turnitin.
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.
7 calendar days is the maximum allowable given that correct answers are released or discussed in class, and/or consolidation of this knowledge is required to continue with the sequence of assessment tasks. Students who are not able to meet the due date (due to late enrolment) must contact the Course Coordinator as soon as possible to ensure they comply with this hurdle requirement.
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.
Data and Transcription
- Hurdle
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
3/04/2026 2:00 pm
Friday, WEEK 6
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L03, L04
Task description
Critical evaluation of an extract of video-recorded conversational data (about 500 words) and transcription of a one-minute extract of video-recorded English conversation.
You should attempt this assignment without any reference to any course materials other than the data and the instruction sheet. While GenAI may be used responsibly to check grammar and expression, it is a very poor tool for doing transciption.
Fabrication or misrepresentation of sources will result in an automatic fail grade for this assessment, regardless of performance in other criteria. This includes but is not limited to: citing non-existent sources or attributing false quotes or paraphrases to real sources. Such issues demonstrate failure to meet the core learning outcomes for the course and may also be referred for academic misconduct.
Statement on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (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
This assignment must be attempted to receive a grade of 4 or higher in this course.Submission guidelines
Submit through Turnitin.
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.
7 calendar days is the maximum allowable given that correct answers are released or discussed in class, and/or consolidation of this knowledge is required to continue with the sequence of assessment tasks.
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.
Doing Conversation Analysis
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Oral, Written
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
28/04/2026 - 19/05/2026
WEEK 9 - WEEK 12
Students will sign up for a 'time slot' in which to give their presentation in weeks 9-12. The student's assigned timeslot will be considered the due date and time for this assessment.
- Other conditions
- Student specific, Secure.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L03
Task description
10 minute oral presentation of an analysis of turn taking and sequence organization in an extract of English conversation, applying the analysis techniques covered in weeks 4-7. Presentations will be in person, delivered in Ilana's office. They will be audio-recorded.
Students will be given 2 weeks to prepare their presentation (i.e. the data and assignment questions for that week will be released 2 weeks in advance).
Students may prepare their analysis in writing in advance and bring in (and read from) a script, but will be assessed on the content of their presentation, including responses to possible follow up questions, not on their written work. You do not need to prepare a powerpoint or equivalent presentation as there will be a printout of the transcribed data in the venue that can be referred to.
Statement on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT)
This assessment task is to be completed in person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools are not permitted during the oral assessment. You are able to use AI or machine translation tools to plan and practice your oral presentation but you must declare this before you begin your oral assessment.
Hurdle requirements
This assignment must be attempted to receive a grade of 4 or higher in this course.Submission guidelines
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.
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.
Essay
- Hurdle
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
8/06/2026 5:00 pm
Monday, Exam WEEK 1
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
2,500 word essay which evaluates a published study using new evidence from video-recorded English conversation.
This assessment provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate skills in critical reading and application of empirical claims to new data.
Fabrication or misrepresentation of sources will result in an automatic fail grade for this assessment, regardless of performance in other criteria. This includes but is not limited to: citing non-existent sources or attributing false quotes or paraphrases to real sources. Such issues demonstrate failure to meet the core learning outcomes for the course and may also be referred for academic misconduct.
Statement on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (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
This assignment must be attempted to receive a grade of 4 or higher in this course.Submission guidelines
Submit 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.
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. Course grade description: Fails to demonstrate most or all of the basic requirements of the course. |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates clear deficiencies in understanding and applying fundamental concepts; communicates information or ideas in ways that are frequently incomplete or confusing and give little attention to the conventions of the discipline. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Demonstrates superficial or partial or faulty understanding of the fundamental concepts of the field of study and limited ability to apply these concepts; presents undeveloped or inappropriate or unsupported arguments; communicates information or ideas with lack of clarity and inconsistent adherence to the conventions of the discipline. ﾠ |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates adequate understanding and application of the fundamental concepts of the field of study; develops routine arguments or decisions and provides acceptable justification; communicates information and ideas adequately in terms of the conventions of the discipline. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates substantial understanding of fundamental concepts of the field of study and ability to apply these concepts in a variety of contexts; develops or adapts convincing arguments and provides coherent justification; communicates information and ideas clearly and fluently in terms of the conventions of the discipline. ﾠ |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: As for 5, with frequent evidence of originality in defining and analysing issues or problems and in creating solutions; uses a level, style and means of communication appropriate to the discipline and the audience. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: As for 6, with consistent evidence of substantial originality and insight in identifying, generating and communicating competing arguments, perspectives or problem solving approaches; critically evaluates problems, their solutions and implications. ﾠ |
Additional course grading information
Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course
In order to pass this course, students need to have submitted ALL assessable work. Failure to submit an assessable item will result in a grade 3 or lower, regardless of performance on other tasks.
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.
Additional learning resources information
Data used in class and in assessment is available through Blackboard.
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 (23 Feb - 01 Mar) |
Workshop |
Linguistic Pragmatics: Foundations Learning outcomes: L01, L04 |
Week 2 (02 Mar - 08 Mar) |
Workshop |
Analysing conversation: Basic principles Learning outcomes: L01, L04 |
Week 3 (09 Mar - 15 Mar) |
Workshop |
Working with conversational data Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 4 (16 Mar - 22 Mar) |
Workshop |
Who gets to take a turn? Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 5 (23 Mar - 29 Mar) |
Workshop |
How are turns timed and constructed? Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 6 (30 Mar - 05 Apr) |
Workshop |
How are actions organised? (Sequence analysis 1) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Mid-sem break (06 Apr - 12 Apr) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Mid-semester break |
Week 7 (13 Apr - 19 Apr) |
Workshop |
How are actions organised? (Sequence analysis 2) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 8 (20 Apr - 26 Apr) |
Workshop |
Managing knowledge (epistemics) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 9 (27 Apr - 03 May) |
Workshop |
How are misunderstandings managed? (Repair) |
Week 10 (04 May - 10 May) |
Workshop |
Grammar and Action Learning outcomes: L01, L04 |
Week 11 (11 May - 17 May) |
Workshop |
What about non-verbal (embodied) behaviours? Learning outcomes: L01, L04 |
Week 12 (18 May - 24 May) |
Workshop |
Managing morality (politeness) Learning outcomes: L01, L04 |
Week 13 (25 May - 31 May) |
Workshop |
Cultural and linguistic pragmatic diversity Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
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
- AI for Assessment Guide
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.