This course allows students to further their study of Phonetics at Masters level through an in-depth survey of primary research literature on a set of topics selected with an eye to their own research interests. The course focuses on developing students' critical analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of existing research, so that they may identify open questions in the field of phonetics to inform their independent postgraduate research.

10  x 2hr seminar sessions as scheduled on MyCampus.

This is one of the MSc options in English Language and Linguistics, and may not run every year. The options that are running this session are available on MyCampus.

None

2 x Literature reviews, each summarising and connecting at least three separate course readings - 75%

1 x 1500 words (30%)

1 x 2500 words (45%)

Present and lead class discussion of a work in depth - 10%

Present on an open question not addressed by course readings in class - 15%

This course will provide students with the opportunity to:

■ Become familiar with foundational and current debates in phonetic research

■ Critically analyse strengths and weaknesses in primary phonetic research

■ Develop specialist practical skills in summarising, reviewing, and presenting research findings in spoken and written form

■ Identify, conceptualize and define open questions in current phonetic research

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Identify and critically assess a range of key contributions of primary literature to an ongoing specialist discussion of phonetic research

■ Summarise, illustrate and critically evaluate current theoretical approaches to phonetics, including those at the forefront;

■ Synthesise multiple strands of literature into an accurate narrative, motivating an original research proposal with the potential to develop an original and/or creative response to an existing issue in phonetics

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.