Prospectus

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Methods in Child Language Research

Course
2013-2014

Admission requirements

None(a background in linguistics is advantageous).

Description

The course focuses on experimental methods, both behavioral and neurophysiological, used in the research area of child language perception and production. We will discuss in what ways different methods contribute to our knowledge of specific phenomena, like developing segmental representations and word learning. The class involves reading journal articles, using database tools (CHILDES, Phon), and – if class size permits – setting up and carrying out an experiment in the babylab.

Course objectives

Course objective 1: the student is familiar with an array of behavioral andneurophysiological methods that are used in the area of child language acquisition.

Course objective 2: the student knows what kind of information can – and cannot – be obtained through the use of a specific method.

Course objective 3: the student can understand and evaluate the methods section of scientific articles on experimental work on child language.

Course objective 4: the student can design a basic child language experiment.

Timetable

The timetable will be available by June 1st on the website.

Mode of instruction

Seminar

Course Load

  • time spent on attending lectures and seminars: 26 hours

  • time for studying the compulsory literature: 132 hours

  • time to prepare for the exam and/or write a paper (including reading/research): 120 hours

Assessment Method

  • Presentation 30%

  • Final paper 70%

Blackboard

This course is supported by Blackboard.

Reading list

To be announced.

Registration

Students should register through uSis. If you have any questions, please contact the departmental office, tel. 071 5272144 or mail: ma-linguistics@hum.leidenuniv.nl

Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs

Registration Studeren à la carte via: www.hum.leidenuniv.nl/onderwijs/alacarte
Registration Contractonderwijs via: http://www.hum.leidenuniv.nl/onderwijs/contractonderwijs/

Contact

MA Linguistics departmental office, P.N. van Eyckhof 4, room 102C. Tel. 071 5272144; mail:ma-linguistics@hum.leidenuniv.nl