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

149LING3158.Topics in Cantonese linguistics (6 credits)This course focuses on distinctive aspects of the Cantonese language as spoken in Hong Kong. Thelanguage will be viewed in its areal and historical context. Grammatical topics will include parts ofspeech in Cantonese, verbal aspect, noun classifiers, and sentence-final particles, with a particularfocus on aspects of syntax which diverge from written Chinese and Putonghua such as dative, passiveand comparative constructions. Topics of sociolinguistic interest such as the use of Cantonese as awritten language, ‘lazy pronunciation’ and the growth of ‘trendy language’ will also be addressed.Prerequisite: LING1000.Assessment: 100% coursework.Capstone CoursesStudents majoring in Linguistics should choose at least one capstone course.LING4001.Senior Seminar (6 credits)The course is available by invitation to students with outstanding records and/or those consideringpostgraduate study and research. Participants will read and present primary research literature anddebate issues in the field.Prerequisite: LING1000Assessment: 100% courseworkNote: For General Linguistics majors only.LING4002.Extended essay (6 credits)This is a one-semester course for individual research on a topic chosen by the student in consultationwith staff, in preparation for possible postgraduate work and is offered for third year majors only.Students intending to study this course are required to attend an interview at the beginning of theirthird year to give a short presentation on their proposed topic. The thesis should normally be 5,000-6,000 words in length. There is no written examination but an oral exam will be required.Prerequisite: LING1000Assessment: 100% courseworkNote: For General Linguistics majors only.LING4003.Linguistics field trip (6 credits)This is a required course for students majoring in General Linguistics or Human LanguageTechnology. The field trip typically takes place in the summer between the third and fourth year.Students majoring in General Linguistics should plan their courses with this in mind. The aim of thecourse is to provide an opportunity for students of linguistics to have first-hand experience withlanguages as they are spoken and used in particular settings, and to carry out an empiricalinvestigation on some aspect of a language ‘on-site’ (e.g. structural, cognitive, socio-cultural, ortechnological aspects of a language). The field trip is the best way of putting knowledge aboutlanguage structure and use into practice, and forms an essential part of a linguist’s training.To satisfy the requirements of the course, students should (1) participate in a field trip of one to twoweeks (e.g. to Asia, Europe, or Africa), led and supervised by members of staff; (2) carry out anempirical investigation of a linguistics topic in consultation with their supervisors; and (3) write upand hand in a report upon return from the field trip.Prerequisite: LING1000Assessment: Attendance in the pre-trip course, participation in the field trip and a written report.