Unit information: Psychology of Language in 2014/15

Unit name	Psychology of Language
Unit code	PSYC31051
Credit points	20
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2C (weeks 13 - 18)
Unit director	Professor. Damian
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	Level 5 Psychology
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Psychological Science
Faculty	Faculty of Life Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

This course is a comprehensive overview of the perceptual and cognitive mechanisms involved in language acquisition, comprehension and production. A major aim of this unit is to sensitise students to the fact that, although seemingly effortless, language activities require a great deal of complex and fast mental computation. In keeping with recent advances in behavioural neuroscience, the neuro-anatomical substrates of language functions will also be examined. The unit will cover the following topics: Language and thought, speech recognition, speech production., bilingualism, neuroscience of language and aphasiology, evolutionary perspectives.

Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to explain how language processing differs from other auditory and visual abilities and discuss current contentions about the status of language in evolution. They will also be able to answer the question, “What do we know when we know language?” Moreover, students will master basic notions in speech acoustics and they will be able to identify the areas controlling language on a brain map.

Teaching Information

This unit comprises 18 x 60 minute lectures and tutorials.

Assessment Information

Coursework: 1x 2000 word essay

Examination: 1 x 2.5 hour exam, May/June 2012

Final Grade: Based on 30% coursework and 70% exam

Reading and References

Harley, T.A. (2008). The psychology of language: From data to theory (3rd edition). Hove, England: Psychology Press. P37 HAR

RECOMMENDED TEXT:

• Altmann, G. T. M. (1997). The ascent of Babel: An exploration of language, mind and understanding. Oxford: Oxford University Press. P37 ALT

• Ellis, A. W., & Young, A. W. (1996). Human cognitive neuropsychology: A

textbook with readings. Hove, England: Psychology Press. QP360 ELL

• Gaskell, M. G. (2007). The Oxford handbook of psycholinguistics. Oxford: Oxford

University Press. BS455 OXF

• Pinker, S. (1994). The language instinct. New York: Harper Collins. P106 PIN

• Traxler, M. J. & Gernsbacher, M. A. (2006). Handbook of psycholinguistics.

London: Elsevier. P37 HAN