Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

This foundation unit examines the design and theories of language development and acquisition as they are experienced in childhood and through schooling practices. It pays attention to the design of multimodal texts in a range of socio-cultural contexts, in particular, spoken, written and visual forms. Understandings of language design and theory are an important foundation for teachers as language is a teacher's most powerful tool for fostering learning across the curriculum. Language is also the form in which social and cultural roles are taken up and allocated. Thus, teachers must also have a theory for understanding the dynamic and interactive nature of language. The knowledge and skills acquired in this unit enable you to progress into curriculum units.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to provide you with opportunities to explore the designs of spoken, written and visual language systems in multi-modal texts, and to establish a firm foundation of the theory of language development and acquisition as it applies to contemporary social and cultural contexts.

Objectives

On completion of this unit, you should be able to:

1. identify the design elements of multi-modal texts [QCT Standard 2]
2. design, produce and perform a multi-modal text for classroom use that adopts new literacies more appropriate to 21st century learning. [QCT Standard 3]
3. discuss the pervasive nature of language through a range of contemporary evidence-informed theories of language development. [QCT Standard 2]
4. use the technical language of language forms and features and textual structure of spoken, written, visual and multimodal texts. [QCT Standard 2]
5. provide evidence of attaining acceptable standards of academic, professional and personal spoken and written English language literacies relating to this unit. [QCT Standard 2]

Content

The content in this unit is presented in two modules:

Module One: Design elements and text production
The major topics to be covered include the codes of multi-modal language systems and children's developmental stages of acquisition from birth to secondary school.

Module Two: Language Theory and Implications for Schooling Practices
This module includes an investigation of language modes and functions across social and cultural groups. A major focus is to develop your knowledge of traditional and functional grammar, understandings of word formation and the nature of English spelling.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit offers a range of approaches to teaching and learning that are designed to build your experiences with group work (module one) and independent study (module two). The range of approaches includes core lectures, small group workshops, review quizzes, student presentations and a formal exam.

Assessment

Assessments are both formative and summative. Formative assessment is provided in the small group workshops and review quizzes. Feedback on all summative assessment items will be provided using the Criterion Referenced Assessment (CRA) format.

As you need to satisfy all the intended learning outcomes of this unit, you must achieve a passing grade in each individual assessment item. Failure to achieve a passing grade in any assessment item will result in an overall failure for the unit.

Assessment name: Log/Workbook
Description: Deconstruct the design elements of a piece of text.
Length: Equivalent to 1000 words
Relates to objectives: 1 & 5
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Early-Semester

Assessment name: Performance
Description: Design, produce and present a multimodal text.
Time: 3 minutes
Relates to objectives: 2 & 5
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Mid-Semester

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: Multi-choice and short response assessment on Module Two theory.
Time: 3 hours plus 10 minutes perusal.
Relates to objectives: 3, 4 & 5
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End-Semester

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Set Text: Emmitt, M,, Komesaroff, L, & Pollock, J. (2010) Language and Learning: An Introduction for Teaching. 5^th Edition. South Melbourne: Oxford University Press.

Websites and other Internet references will also be provided throughout the unit.

Risk assessment statement

There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with the general conduct of this unit. Workplace health and safety protocols in relation to computer use will apply.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 26-Oct-2012