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Prosody of English - LAN00030M

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• Department: Language and Linguistic Science
• Module co-ordinator: Dr. Simon Roessig
• Credit value: 20 credits
• Credit level: M
• Academic year of delivery: 2024-25
  • See module specification for other years: 2022-23

Module summary

Prosody is the 'music of speech' taking in phenomena such as stress, rhythm and intonation. A hallmark of this module is that we study these aspects of English in data from naturally occurring conversations, using a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods, and taking account of different theoretical approaches to the subject.

Related modules

Module will run

Occurrence	Teaching period
A	Semester 2 2024-25

Module aims

The aims of this module are:

• to introduce students to the main topics of prosody in spoken English, drawing on both phonetics and phonology, and
• to equip students with the knowledge and ability to analyse prosodic aspects of spoken English both phonetically and phonologically.
  

Module learning outcomes

Subject skills: By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• analyse data first-hand using a tool for the instrumental analysis of speech
• present their own analyses of data of various types and qualities to a high standard
• work with data of varying types and qualities
• demonstrate understanding of current debates in the literature with regard to the prosody of English

Academic and graduate skills: By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• evaluate completing claims in the literature by applying them in data analysis
• present the results of an analysis orally or in written form to a professional standard
• work in a group to develop an analysis

Module content

Students must have completed L29M Core Course in Phonetics & Phonology OR L69M Advanced Topics in Phonology OR L70M Advanced Topics in Phonetics.

The module is taught through lectures and practicals in 2 x 5-week blocks, plus a recap week:

1. data analysis skills: acoustic analysis of f0 + intonational transcription

2. theories of prosodic analysis: comparing different approaches to prosody and current topics in the prosody of English

Teaching in the module will focus on analysis of English prosody, but there is scope for students to also explore analysis of prosody in other languages to some extent, in seminars, if they wish.

Assessment

Task	Length	% of module mark
Essay/coursework Research Essay (5000 words)	N/A	100

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

Formatives 1-3: Whole-class feedback on common errors plus brief individual written feedback within 10 working days.

Formative 4: Individual written feedback within 10 working days.

Summative: Within 25 working days

Reassessment

Task	Length	% of module mark
Essay/coursework Research Essay (5000 words)	N/A	100

Module feedback

Written feedback and a mark on the University scale within 20 working days of submission.

Indicative reading

Nolan, Francis (2021). “Intonation” In Aarts, B., McMahon, A., & Hinrichs, L. (eds). The Handbook of English Linguistics. Wiley & Sons. Chapter 20. (pp. 385-405)