Admission requirements
Basic knowledge of phonetics and phonology is assumed.
Description
This course will focus on the theoretical advancements and experimental methods in phonetic research, which concerns the linguistic patterns and communicative functions of spoken language. Students will critically read and discuss a series of articles related to topics including phonetic category in first and second language, representation and processing of pronunciation variation in connected speech, as well as prosodic encoding of information structure. As a final assignment, students will develop a research proposal which should address open issues within the context of our focus research areas.
Course objectives
After taking this class, students should be able to:
understand the concepts and fundamental questions in several specific research areas concerning oral speech communication.
learn how experimental techniques can be employed to answer a question of scientific interest.
critically evaluate original research articles (their goals, methods, findings, and interpretations) in the area of experimental phonetics.
give an oral presentation on a scientific paper to a group of peers and to evaluate peer presentations.
summarize and synthesize the literature so as to identify relevant research questions of their own interest.
And for those very motivated, they will also be encouraged to:
design a well-controlled experiment which should include a sound research question supported by a relevant literature review, a detailed description of the research method, an explanation of the hypothesis and predictions, as well as the interpretation of possible outcomes.
write up the experimental design as a research proposal.
Timetable
Visit MyTimetable.
Mode of instruction
Seminar
Assessment Method
Oral presentations: 40% Final project: 50% Class attendance/participation: 10%
Resit
Students who fail the course may resit the final assignment.
Exam Review
Students are entitled to view their marked examination within a period of 30 days, following publication of the results of a written examination.
Inspection and feedback
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.
Reading list
Students will be required to read original publications published in professional journals.
Registration
Enrolment in uSis is obligatory. If you have any questions, please contact the student administration, tel. 071 5272144 or mail: osz-oa-wijkplaats@hum.leidenuniv.nl .
When registering, students that are registered for the specialisation that this course belongs to, or the Research Master, take priority. The deadline for registration is August 15. All other students should contact the coordinator of studies.
General information about uSis is available on the website.
Contact
Education Administration Office Reuvensplaats
E-mail address Education Administration Office Reuvensplaats: osz-oa-reuvensplaats@hum.leidenuniv.nl