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BIO4270 - Evolution and Language

Course content

Linguistics and evolutionary biology have interesting parallels and analogies. Both disciplines are concerned with the evolution and dispersal of humans. Language is arguably a genetically transmitted trait, specific to humans, and the evolution of language is closely linked to the evolution of human cognition. Increasing understanding of the human genome and human genetic diversity provide new opportunities for understanding our evolutionary history. Genetic research is generating huge amounts of data, and the interpretation of these data in the context of information derived from archaeology and linguistics is making an important contribution to understanding of our origins, dispersal and culture. In recent years, the field of linguistics has borrowed biological metaphors to explain language variation and change. Whereas in the past the understanding of evolution, including language evolution, relied solely on archaeological and fossil data, the field of genetics will play an increasingly important role in the study of our species.

Learning outcomes

By means of lectures and seminars you will gain insight into the new and rapidly changing field of language evolution. The seminars depend on wide reading, and critical evaluation of primary literature in a range of subjects. An important aspect of the course is active participation in the discussions, which in past years have included students of various subjects, including archaeology, philosophy and linguistics, as well as biology. The course will develop skills in the ability to deal with a wide range of different material, often contradictory, as well as provide some answers to the question of what makes us human.

Admission

Students at UiO must apply for courses in StudentWeb.

International applicants, if you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.

Prerequisites

Recommended prior knowledge

Bachelor in Biology.

Overlap

10 credits against BIO9270 - Evolution and Language.

Teaching

Lectures and seminars. The first four double lectures will be given by the teachers as lectures and discussions. In the last four double lectures the students will present and discuss literature of the topic.

Exam information

To pass the course, the student must

• attend the sessions.
• participate actively in the discussions (which presumes that they have read the material that is set for each session).
• write an essay(4-5 pages).
• give a presentation of the essay.
  The final grade will be given based on the written essay and the presentation (50:50).

Exam resources

No special exam resources are allowed.

Assessment and grading

Course grades are awarded on a descending scale using alphabetic grades from A to E for passes and F for fail. Read more about the grading system .

Explanations and appeals

Read more about this here

Students can request an explanation of their grades, and can also appeal against their grades or make a complaint about formal examination errors. Read more about explanations and appeals

Possibility of make-up exams and re-takes

You can usually resit an exam, but the conditions depend on whether you had a valid reason for absence from the regular exam. Read more about resitting an exam .

Withdrawing from exams and limits on re-takes

A student can sit for this exam up to 3 times. If a student wishes to withdraw from the exam, s/he must do this in StudentWeb at least two weeks prior to the first day of the exam. Failure to do so will be counted as one of the three opportunities to sit for the exam.

Exam options for students with special needs

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Students may apply for access to alternative exam resources or exam forms on the basis of chronic illness and/or special needs that create a marked disadvantage to other students in the exam situation. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.

Evaluation of this course

Feedback from our students is essential to us in our efforts to ensure and further improve the high quality of our programmes and courses. As a student at the University of Oslo you will therefore be asked to participate in various types of evaluation of our courses, facilities and services. All courses are subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students on a particular course to participate in a more comprehensive, in-depth evaluation of this course, a so called "periodic evaluation".

Periodic evaluation Spring 2013.

Other information

The course is only given if three or more students meet on the first lecture.

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