COURSE CURRICULUM

The Linguistics major is structured across three levels and provides a comprehensive foundation in the scientific study of language and communication. At Level 1, students complete core introductory units including Language for Humans and Non-Humans and Language, Mind and Brain, which explore how language is structured, how it is processed cognitively, and how it differs across species and communication systems. At Level 2, students build on these foundations through core units such as Language and Artificial Intelligence, The Sounds of the World’s Languages, and How Language Shapes Society. These units introduce students to speech systems, computational approaches to language, and the relationship between language, culture, and social behaviour. At Level 3, students select from a range of specialised electives including Language Across Time, Linguistics of Australian Indigenous Languages, Sociolinguistic Variation, Morphosyntax of the World’s Languages, and a Work Integrated Learning Internship Program. These options allow students to develop expertise in areas such as language change, grammar systems, Indigenous languages, and real-world professional experience. Across all levels, the course combines theoretical knowledge with analytical and practical skills. Overall, the major prepares students for careers in education, communication, technology, research, and language-related industries, while providing a strong foundation for further academic study in linguistics.