Apply through UCAS
- UCAS course code
- QR32
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Course unit details:
Forensic Linguistics
| Unit code | LELA31632 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 20 |
| Unit level | Level 3 |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 2 |
| Offered by | Linguistics & English Language |
| Available as a free choice unit? | Yes |
Overview
This course introduces students to forensic linguistics and, more specifically, to the use of linguistics to provide evidence in criminal or civil cases. When language becomes evidence in a forensic case, a linguist can be called as an expert witness
regarding various matters, such as, for example, the authorship of a text, the meaning of a particular word or phrase, or
the modality of production of a text. The use of linguistic knowledge and methods can provide these answers and the aim of the course is to demonstrate how this is done. Through the use of lectures and seminars, the course will develop the theoretical and applied knowledge for the students to carry out forensic linguistic analyses on real cases. In addition, students will learn the implications of this type of work for the field of linguistics in general.
Pre/co-requisites
| Unit title | Unit code | Requirement type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stylistics of English | LELA21511 | Pre-Requisite | Recommended |
| From Text to Linguistic Evidence | LELA10401 | Pre-Requisite | Recommended |
Aims
The principal aims of the course unit are as follows:
- To learn how to apply linguistics to solve forensic problems
- To know the state of the art of forensic linguistics
- To understand basic concepts of individuality in language production
- To be able to choose the correct linguistic techniques for the analysis of an applied problems
- To understand the most important linguistic characteristics of forensic texts
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
- Have an understanding of the basic methodologies to analyse texts in a forensic context
- Have an understanding of the register characteristics of malicious forensic texts
- Know the history of forensic linguistics
- Know the main findings related to key cases in forensic linguistics
- Understand the state of the art of individuality in language production
Intellectual skills
- Critically evaluate the literature regarding forensic linguistics
- Critically evaluate conclusions of a forensic linguistic analysis
- Be able to describe the language of a malicious forensic text
- Develop professional knowledge in the application of linguistic theory to naturally occurring texts
Practical skills
- Apply linguistic methods to solve forensic problems
- Develop professional knowledge in the analysis of texts for forensic purposes
- Develop general knowledge of the provision of evidence in court
Transferable skills and personal qualities
- Develop general problem solving skills
- Develop the verbal and written abilities to express conclusions
- Be able to apply linguistic theories to solve real-word problems
- Develop general knowledge of investigation procedures
Employability skills
- Other
- With this course, students will learn skills that can be useful for applied linguistics and legal or investigative jobs. The kinds of skills used to analyse forensic texts can enhance the students' problem solving and critical abilities in employing linguistic theories to solve applied problems. As such, this course can help students to creatively employ their knowledge. Above all, students will learn how to carry out independent research and to solve real-life problems.
Assessment methods
| Group presentation - Students will present on two tasks involving the analysis of real-life data about topics explored in class. | 10% (5% for each presentation) |
| Mock exam - This is a Blackboard quiz that students can take around week 6 to test their knowledge | N/A (formative) |
| Portfolio - "Choose two case studies from the ones we have covered in the seminars that you have not presented on and write down a report for each of them including a description of the probem, your methodology, your results, and a critical discussion." | 60% |
| Exam - The final exam is a short open question exam that will mainly test knowledge of the literature, theories and methods explored in the unit. | 30% |
Feedback methods
| Feedback method | Formative or Summative |
| Group presentation feedback | Formative |
| Mock exam feedback | Formative |
| Written feedback for coursework and exam | Summative |
Recommended reading
Coulthard, M., & Johnson, A. 2007. An Introduction to Forensic Linguistics. London: Routledge
McMenamin, G. R. 2002. Forensic Linguistics: Advances in Forensic Stylistics. Boca Raton, Fla: CRC Press.
Olsson, J. 2003. Forensic Linguistics: An Introduction to Language, Crime and the Law. London: Continuum.
Shuy, R. 1996. Language Crimes: Use and Abuse of Language Evidence in the Court Room. Oxford: Blackwell.
Solan, L. M., & Tiersma. P. M. 2005. Speaking of Crime: The Language of Criminal Justice. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Study hours
| Scheduled activity hours | |
|---|---|
| Assessment written exam | 1 |
| Lectures | 22 |
| Seminars | 11 |
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 166 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Andrea Nini | Unit coordinator |