ATS2668 Structure in the languages of the world
Faculty of Arts
ATS2668 Structure in the languages of the world is a level 2, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Arts, offered in 2026 in Semester 2 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 2
- Clayton
- Assessment
- No exam
- 4 tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before ATS2668
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After ATS2668
No unit lists ATS2668 as a prerequisite in the 2026 handbook.
Enrolment rules
Prerequisite: Undergraduate students must complete two gateway units in linguistics (ATS1338, ATS1339).
Prohibition: ATS3668
Overview
Is there something that all languages of the world share? Is our capacity for language innate and somehow hard-wired in our brain or is it essentially based on social learning, interaction and imitation? And what role do such questions play in the field of linguistics and for theories about grammar? In this unit we investigate the grammatical phenomena found in a wide range of languages of the world and the basic tools we can draw on for their analysis and description. The unit combines this exploration of grammar with an enquiry into how children learn language and the field of linguistic typology and universals.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- In-Class Participation ActivityExercise15%
- Online quizQuiz / Test15%
- Analytical exerciseExercise35%
- Analytical exerciseExercise35%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
identify and describe structural phenomena in a variety of different languages;
- 2
identify cross-linguistic patterns in morpho-syntax and discuss claims of universality;
- 3
apply different theoretical approaches to the analysis of language using the relevant terminology;
- 4
assess evidence supporting various theories and thereby evaluate these theories;
- 5
read and understand grammatical descriptions of languages and discussions of grammatical phenomena in the linguistic literature;
- 6
use analytic and interpretive skills in dealing with language data.
Workload and teaching
- Tutorials24 hours
- Lectures12 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.
This unit engages you in actively applying your knowledge, skills and attributes in interactive, collaborative and reflective activities.
This unit includes problem-based learning approaches, where you engage in research, integrate theory and practice and apply knowledge and skills to develop viable solutions in response to a problem or set of problems
Learning resources
Required resources
This unit requires access to a laptop that meets minimum specifications (https://www.monash.edu/esolutions/students/bring-your-own-device-byod). Free specialist software is available via MoVE (https://www.monash.edu/learning-teaching/innovation/learning-technologies/move).
Where it fits
ATS2668 is part of 2 areas of study in the 2026 handbook.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Anna Margetts
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Olav Kuhn
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for ATS2668?
ATS2668 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is ATS2668 offered?
In 2026, ATS2668 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton.
How much work is ATS2668?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does ATS2668 have an exam?
No. ATS2668 has 4 assessment tasks and no exam.
Which majors and minors include ATS2668?
ATS2668 is part of Linguistics and English Language.