Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

For regular students: the pre-requisite is SEL1027, taught in any year (not necessarily 2023-2024).
For incoming exchange students: basic introductions to the grammar and phonetics of English.

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

1. Exploring the formation and diffusion of new words of different types in English, using modern digital tools
2. Exploring relevant concepts and topics in lexicology, morphology, corpus linguistics and linguistic data collection
3. Developing skills in carrying out an independent piece of research in the area of new words.

Outline Of Syllabus

The themes to be covered in the lectures (further discussed/applied in the small group classes) will include: data and methods of data collection, the structure of different types of new words, the issue of morphological productivity, issues in measuring lexical frequency, new lexis in recent English, and theoretical issues involved in the study of these topics. Special attention will be paid to practical issues arising in doing actual research on new words.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

Students that have successfully completed this module:

1. have gained solid knowledge of the scope and nature of lexical innovation in present-day English;
2. understand the problems arising in collecting data on lexical innovation;
3. have gained solid knowledge of lexicological and morphological concepts that are needed to analyse lexical innovation.

Intended Skill Outcomes

Students that have successfully completed this module:

1. are able to identify and analyse cases of lexical innovation in English;
2. are able to use with facility relevant lexicological and morphological concepts;
3. are able to deal independently with technical literature on the subject;
4. are able to collect independently data for a specific type or category of new words
5. are able to write clearly and concisely about the data so collected and the light they shed on a specific issue in the analysis of new words.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures introduce and illustrate the use of data and the methods and concepts needed for their systematic collection and analysis. The small group teaching is intended to give the student the opportunity to consolidate understanding of issues raised in reading and in lectures. Students will devote the rest of the time to preparation of material covered in the various weeks and to preparation for the assessments (a mid-module exam and a final essay for which students plan, carry out and write up data collection plus analysis).

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The in-class exam assesses the student’s acquisition of knowledge and ability to apply it to selected data. The final essay gives students the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to carry out an independent investigation in the field of lexical innovation.

General Notes

N/A