Research Seminar “Modern Schools and Trends in Linguistics

Bachelor 2024/2025

Type: Elective course (Foreign Languages and Intercultural Communication)

Area of studies: Linguistics

Delivered by: School of Foreign Languages

Where: School of Foreign Languages

When: 3 year, 1, 2 module

Mode of studies: offline

Open to: students of all HSE University campuses

Instructors: Mariia Tsygunova

Language: English

ECTS credits: 3

Full Syllabus

Abstract

The discipline familiarizes the students with the main trends that shape the development of Linguistics in the 21st century. The primary focus is on interdisciplinary cooperation and the emergence of integrative lines of research at the interface between Linguistics, Psychology, Social Sciences and Natural Sciences. The course also considers the social impact of Linguistics and invites the students to explore the potential of contemporary linguistic theories for responding to urgent societal needs.

Learning Objectives

The course is aimed at familiarizing the students with the most current trends in the development of Linguistics. Of particular relevance are two main tendencies: rise in interdisciplinary research and desire to be socially impactful. The students consider opportunities of interdisciplinary collaboration and explore the potential of different disciplines in enriching the scope of Linguistics.

Expected Learning Outcomes

The student applies systemic principles when conducting research
The student knows the basic principles of multi- inter- and transdisciplinarity and is able to design interdisciplinary research with a focus on linguistics
The student knows types of interdisciplinarity (conceptual and instrumental)
The student understands the role of Linguistics in the modern society and sees its potential for dealing with social issues
The students know the principles of research at the interface between Linguistics and Psychology
The students are able to design research that combines Linguistics and Psychology and has a strong language focus
The student understands the role of Linguistics in dealing with topical social issues
The student understands the responsibility of linguists for providing true and verifiable information
The students critically assess contemporary research that attempts to prioritize the role of one language above all others
The student should understand the role of linguists in assessing and counteracting negative social phenomena (diffamation, plagiarism, linguistic chauvinism, etc.)
The students are able to assess the heuristic potential of Natural Sciences for Linguistics
The students are able to critically assess terminological interventions from Natural Sciences into Linguistics

Course Contents

Basic Principles and Vectors of Contemporary Linguistics
Linguistics and Psychology
Linguistics and Social Sciences
Linguistics and Natural Sciences

Assessment Elements

Tests/HW
Students take 10-minute tests on the material covered. At the discretion of the tutor, the tests can be conducted on online platforms. The content and presence of homework are determined by the tutor in accordance with the course materials.
Participation
Present and participating – 1/1 point Present, not participating – 0,4/1 point Not present – 0/1 point. Proportion (in case there are 14 classes in total): 14 participation points possible max – 10 points possible max for a mark X participation points collected by a student – ? points for a mark (X points collected * 10) / 14 = ? points for a mark (AKA final mark for participation). The rounding starts with 0,6 sharp. So 9,6 is 10, 9,56 is 9.
Project (practice)
A practice-based project to be presented at the end of the first module.
Project (theory)
The students present an innovative line of research in contemporary linguistics.
Review
The students write a review of three papers on a relevant linguistic issue dated 2021-2024. The review can be written individually or in groups of up to 6 students.

Interim Assessment

2024/2025 2nd module
0.2 * Participation + 0.2 * Project (practice) + 0.2 * Project (theory) + 0.2 * Review + 0.2 * Tests/HW

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Begon, M., Townsend, C. R., & Harper, J. L. (2006). Ecology : From Individuals to Ecosystems: Vol. 4th ed. John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
Danny D. Steinberg, Hiroshi Nagata, & David P. Aline. (2001). Psycholinguistics : Language, Mind and World: Vol. Second edition. Routledge.
Fundamentals of psycholinguistics, Fernandez, E. M., 2011
Interdisciplinarity : reconfigurations of the social and natural sciences, , 2013
Murasugi, K., & Stainton, R. (2019). Philosophy And Linguistics. London: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=2154542
Robert Blackwood, & John Macalister. (2019). Multilingual Memories : Monuments, Museums and the Linguistic Landscape. London: Bloomsbury Academic. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=2230136
Robins, R. H. (2014). General Linguistics (Vol. 4th ed). London: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=778554
Rowe, B. M., & Levine, D. P. (2018). A Concise Introduction to Linguistics (Vol. Fifth edition). London: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1775794
Schmitz, U. (2018). Media Linguistic Landscapes. https://doi.org/10.21248/JFML.2018.5

Recommended Additional Bibliography

The Oxford handbook of interdisciplinarity, , 2010
Undisciplining knowledge : interdisciplinarity in the twentieth century, Graff, H. J., 2015

Authors

NAGORNAYA ALEKSANDRA VIKTOROVNA
TSYGUNOVA MARIYA MIKHAYLOVNA

Course Syllabus