(BA) (4-year-programme) - The University of Hong Kong

142LINGUISTICSIn the Department of Linguistics, students can investigate a variety of different languages and throughsuch investigations, come to a better understanding of the shared structure and broad variation of theworld’s languages. The BA programme provides a firm foundation so that those students who wish todo so can go on to pursue advanced studies in linguistics.The undergraduate programme in Linguistics permits students to combine in a single field a variety ofArts and Social Science subjects and to develop their analytic skills in depth. Students are encouragedto explore with members of staff the many relationships of linguistics with other fields in order todiscover the programme that best suits their individual goals and interests.The department offers the following majors and minors:I. Major in General LinguisticsII. Minor in General LinguisticsIII. Major in Human Language TechnologyAll courses, except LING1000, are assessed by 100% coursework. Coursework assessment may takea variety of formats, including projects, term-papers, essays, portfolios, class tests, and studentpresentations.All are taught as one-semester courses. Course availability is subject to staffing considerations.(I) MAJOR IN GENERAL LINGUISTICSGeneral Linguistics is a broad and varied field that covers the study of human language in all itsaspects. In the Department of Linguistics students majoring in General Linguistics who wish tospecialize in particular areas are offered the three options below; specialization is optional.(1) Language documentation and descriptionLanguage documentation and description involves the study of minority and endangered languageswith a particular focus on East Asia and West Africa. The purpose is to investigate lesser-knownlanguages and produce materials for a better understanding and preservation of linguistic diversity.(2) Empirical psycholinguistics.Empirical psycholinguistics, conducted in collaboration with the State Key Laboratory of Brain andCognitive Sciences, introduces students to the field of brain sciences as well as cognitive linguisticsand language disorders. Here the focus is on the study of Chinese and East Asian languages.(3) Language and societyLanguage and society involves the study of the social functions of language and the way in whichspeakers use language in relation to their identity, culture and society. In this field students caninvestigate aspects of political and educational significance in the use of languages.Course selection depends on students’ intended specialization. Students wishing to specialize areencouraged to discuss with staff members which combination of courses is most relevant to theirspecific interests.Students majoring in General Linguistics are required to obtain a grade C- or above in LING1000, andto complete a minimum of 72 credits of Linguistics courses, including LING1000, at least 3introductory courses and a capstone experience.