Course description
The MA in Bilingualism provides a programme of graduate-level study in the broad field of bilingualism as well as research training in this area. It consists of a taught component including a combination of core and optional modules, and a research dissertation of 20,000 words maximum.
The course provides a comprehensive, varied and flexible programme of training in multi-disciplinary topics associated with the study of bilingualism, including issues related to language, education, and cognition. The purpose of the course is to provide students with the necessary theoretical, analytical and methodological tools and skills to undertake advanced research in an area of bilingualism.
The taught component of the MA takes place over semesters 1 and 2. Students must take three foundational modules (unless they have evidence of having already taken the equivalent modules): Meaning: Semantics/Pragmatic, Sentence Structure: Syntax, Sounds and Sound Structure. These modules serve to introduce students to the core methodological and theoretical aspects of studying language. Students must also take ‘Bilingualism: Research and Methods’ - a cross-disciplinary module looking at various aspects of research, theory, and methods within bilingualism from a number of different perspectives – and a minimum of 30 credits in research training.
Modules and credits
* Meaning: Semantics/Pragmatic (10 credits)
* Sentence Structure: Syntax (10 credits)
* Sounds and Sound Structure (10 credits)
Other language-related modules:
* Brain and Language (15 credits)
* Language Development (15 credits)
* Iaith Plant (20 credits)
* Child Language (20 credits)
* Comparative Syntax (20 credits)
* Speech & Language Disorders (20 credits)
* Child Language Acquisition (20 credits)
* Sociolinguistics (20 credits)
* Discourse Analysis (20 credits)
Bilingualism: 40 credits minimum
All students are required to take the following new module:
* Bilingualism: Research and Methods (20 credits)
and one of the following modules:
* Current Issues in Bilingualism (20 credits)
* Bilingualism and Thought (20 credits)
Research Training: 20 credits minimum
Students must take at least one of the following modules:
* Research Methods (30 credits)
* Issues in Qualitative & Quantitative Analysis (15 credits)
* Advanced Statistics (15 credits)
The following Research Training Modules are also available:
* SPSS for Postgraduate Research (10 credits)
* Linguistics Research Training (10 credits)
* Application of IT to Data Handling (10 credits)
Dissertation Modules: 60 credits
Students must take one of the following:
* Research Module in Linguistics (60)
* Research Module in Psychology (60)
* Research Module in Education (60)
