Key facts
UNE unit code: LING381
*You are viewing the 2027 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Not offered in 2027
- Yes
- No
- No
- 6
Unit information
This Australian-first interdisciplinary unit prepares you for new career opportunities arising from growing demand for expertise in writing systems, in a range of professional and academic sectors.
You will be introduced to the diverse ways languages around the world are written, how writing as a technology has influenced society and how society has, in turn, shaped its development. You will also explore the typologies of world writing systems, their evolution from prehistoric times to the digital age, as well as a range of foundational methods in analysing texts.
Drawing on UNE’s extensive linguistics expertise and supported by a suite of online tools, you will gain insights into the key structural properties of writing as well as its sociolinguistic and anthropological implications.
Besides being the first, and currently only, unit in this field of study offered at any Australian university, what really sets it apart is the inclusion of Australian Indigenous perspectives.
Intensive schools
There are no intensive schools required for this unit.
Enrolment rules
Notes
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- demonstrate structural, sociolinguistic, historical and anthropological knowledge of the major writing systems in the world, including their descriptions, typological classifications, main characteristics, associated languages and historical/sociolinguistic issues;
- demonstrate clear understanding of how to approach the units of writing systems from graphemic and graphetic perspectives;
- exercise judgement in undertaking grapholinguistic analysis;
- demonstrate clear understanding of how grapholinguistic issues fit in and interact with the disciplines of Linguistics, History, Anthropology and Education as a whole;
- explain grapholinguistic phenomena to others; and
- demonstrate responsibility and independence in individual and/or collaborative work tasks.
Assessment information
Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
| Title | Must Complete | Weight | Offerings | Assessment Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1: Online Quizzes | Yes | 40% | All offerings | 2 online quizzes worth 20% each No. Words: 1000 each |
| Assessment 2: Worksheet 1 | Yes | 30% | All offerings | Dataset problems and short answers No. Words: 2000 |
| Assessment 3: Worksheet 2 | Yes | 30% | All offerings | Dataset problems and short answers at an advanced level No. Words: 2000 |
Learning resources
Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.
The Writing Revolution: Cuneiform to the Internet
ISBN: 9781444359855
Gnanadesikan, Amalia E., Wiley-Blackwell 2009
Text refers to: All offerings
Note: Recommended material may be held in the University Library — purchase is optional.
The World's Writing Systems
ISBN: 9780195079937
Daniels, Peter T. & Bright, William (eds.), Oxford University Press 1996
Text refers to: All offerings
An Exploration of Writing
ISBN: 9781781796092
Daniels, Peter T., Equinox 2018
Text refers to: All offerings
Writing Systems
ISBN: 9781781792858
Sampson, Geoffrey, Equinox 2015
Text refers to: All offerings
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