Monash University Handbook 2010 Postgraduate - Unit

Synopsis

This unit provides students with an opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge and understanding of the issues involved in language endangerment. Students will develop and implement a research project with outcomes of practical benefit in strengthening or supporting language maintenance practice within a community or organisation. Possible topics include developing curriculum for a school or community language program, documenting aspects of a previously undescribed language, preparing a sketch grammar drawing upon existing documentation or archival materials, developing language teaching and literacy materials, preparing topical wordlists in the endangered language.

Objectives

Aims
On completion of this unit students should have:

• applied their knowledge of language maintenance strategies;
• developed an ability to implement language maintenance programs appropriate to particular language endangerment settings internationally

• On completion of this unit students should be able to:
• draw on in-depth and critical knowledge of the literature in this field to write a literature review;
• formulate a detailed proposal to develop a language maintenance project;
• plan the stages in carrying out research in an endangered language community or an organisational setting;
• apply appropriate methodologies to implement research questions;
• undertake independent research;
• analyse primary data;
• write a thesis based on original research.

Assessment

Minor thesis (16000 words): 100%.

Contact hours

(Supervised)

Prerequisites

ALM4110, LIN4040, LIN4050