Key facts
UNE unit code: LING581
*You are viewing the 2025 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Not offered in 2025
- 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 advanced structural and sociolinguistic knowledge of the major writing systems in the world, including their descriptions, typological classifications, main characteristics and associated languages;
- demonstrate advanced understanding of how to approach the units of writing systems from graphemic and graphetic perspectives;
- exercise critical thinking and 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;
- clearly and unambiguously explain grapholinguistic phenomena to others; and
- interpret and apply the knowledge gained in a variety of linguistic contexts.
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 | Yes | 40% | All offerings | No. words: 750 (equivalent each) 2 online quizzes worth 20% each |
Assessment 2 | Yes | 30% | All offerings | Worksheet 1 No. words: 1500 (equivalent) |
Assessment 3 | Yes | 30% | All offerings | Worksheet 2 No. words: 3000 |
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:
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
eBook: The Writing Revolution: Cuneiform to the Internet
ISBN: 9781444359855
Gnanadesikan, Amalia E., Wiley-Blackwell 2009
Text refers to: All offerings
Note: Recommended material is 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
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