M.Litt. in ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LINGUISTICS

WELCOME

The MLitt in English Language and Linguistics at the University of Stirling offers students the opportunity to study the intricate workings of language and explore its central role in human society.

The programme is wide-ranging and extensive, centred around the study of the English language, and covering both theoretical approaches to linguistics and the application of these techniques in a broader cultural context.

You will gain a thorough grounding in the way language works, with a particular focus on the structures and varieties of English, and will develop advanced skills to help you explore more detailed topics according to your own interest, such as: the study of Old and Middle English; the historical and social development of the English language; how children learn language and how it is represented in the brain; how language is used to reflect and construct social and individual identity; how language use in different contexts influences its development and change; and how complex language originated and evolved in humans.

The programme is suitable both for students keen to further their knowledge of English language and linguistics, and for those who plan to move on to advanced research.

The MLitt is available for both full-time (12 months) and part-time (24 months) study.

STRUCTURE AND CONTENTThe teaching year at Stirling is divided into two semesters, which run from mid-September to mid-December, and from mid-February to the end of May.

In the autumn semester (the first year for part-time students) you will take the core programme module, Structures of Language, which provides a thorough grounding in the central areas of theoretical linguistics which form the basis for your studies, namely: sound (phonetics and phonology); grammar (syntax and morphology) and meaning (semantics and pragmatics).

You will also study four option modules, which will allow you to develop your expertise in specific areas of English Language and Linguistics. Full-time students take one option module in the autumn semester, and three further options in the spring semester; part-time students take one in each of their four semesters. The option modules offered each year vary, depending on the availability of teaching staff, and include:

> Old and Middle English provides a linguistic introduction to both Old and Middle English.

> Language and Cognition focuses on the psychology of language and the relationship between language and cognition, examining how language is acquired and processed, exploring cognitive approaches to grammar, and investigating theories of metaphor and conceptual blending.

> Language Learning: Theory and Research looks at the research necessary to understand the processes involved in learning a second language.

> Sociolinguistics and Varieties of English investigates language in its social context, by exploring the many regional and social varieties of English, and the multi-faceted relationship between language, culture and society.

> Historical Linguistics and the History of English introduces the principles of historical linguistics and language change, in order to investigate the history and development of English from its beginnings to its emergence as a world language.

> Evolutionary Linguistics investigates hypotheses on the origin of human language, evolutionary approaches to language change, and the development of complexity in linguistic structure.

> Discourse Analysis examines modern English discourse using techniques of conversational analysis, critical discourse analysis and genre analysis.

> Corpus Linguistics describes the application of corpus linguistics techniques to language teaching and research.

In addition, you will take a module over both semesters (in the second year for part-time students) on Research Methods, which is provided for all MLitt students in English Studies, and offers students the opportunity to develop and refine their skills before writing their dissertation, and for future postgraduate work.

During the summer, you will write a research dissertation of 15,000 words on a subject of your choosing, based on one of the modules you have studied, in consultation with a member of staff. Students who do not write a dissertation may still be awarded a Diploma.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Contact andrew.smith@stir.ac.uk

www.ell.stir.ac.uk