Overall objectives:

1 - To understand the main aspects of linguistic science, as a useful tool for humanity, aiming to understand the function, creativity and variability of languages (the unique nature of human language, its structure, its universality, and its diversity) and his relation to other sciences.
2 - To understand how languages behave at the levels of sound, grammar and meaning and the basic tools for the analysis of European Portuguese language structure (phonological, morphological, syntactic and semantic levels).
3 - To know the basic key of Variation in Language concepts and the ability to apply them to specific language situation in the Portuguese­ speaking world.
4 - To introduce students with several methods and techniques of linguistic analysis and how to obtain and collect relevant data for specific qualitative and/or quantitative research methods.
5 - To communicate effectively in oral and written forms about specific linguistics issues.

Syllabus:

1 - Introduction to basic concepts and terminology in linguistics as the systematic study of language. The cognitive organization of linguistic structure and the social nature of language use. The acquisition of language.
2 - Basic descriptions of Portuguese Language structures (Phonology, Morphology, Syntax and Semantics).
3 - Unity and variation in natural languages. Variation and varieties of Portuguese language; Standard and non­standard varieties; European Portuguese (EP), the Brazilian Portuguese (BP) and African Portuguese (AP)
4 - Sociolinguistics Perspective on Variation: Introduction to key theoretical concepts and methods for collecting data. Analysis of some variable phenomena in Portuguese varieties.

Literature/Sources:

Aitkinson, J. , 1993 , Introdução aos Estudos Linguísticos , Publicações Europa-América.
Brown, K. & J. M iller (ed). , 2006 , Encyclopedia of Language and L inguistics. 2nd Edition , Elsevier
Duarte, I. , 2001 , Língua Portuguesa. Ferramentas Linguísticas. , Universidade Aberta
Mateus, MHM & A. Villalva , 2006 , O Essencial sobre Linguística , Caminho
Mateus, MHM & E. Cardeira , 2007 , Norma e Variação , Caminho
Peres, João & Móia, Telmo , 1996 , Áreas críticas da língua portuguesa. , Lisboa: Caminho
Fromkin, V., R. Rod man & N. Hyams , 2003 , An Introduction to Language. , Thomson Heinle
Bayley, R. & C. Lucas (ed.s) , 2007 , Sociolinguistic Variation: Theories, methods and applications. , Cambridge University Press
Peres, João & Móia, Telmo , 1996 , Áreas críticas da língua portuguesa. , Caminho
Raposo , E. et al. , 2013 , Gramática do Português, Vols I e II. , Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian

Assesssment methods and criteria:

Classification Type: Quantitativa (0-20)

Evaluation Methodology:
Active learnig methodology: students are expected to attend regularly in order to contribute actively to class discussions. Some reading are expected to consolidate the understanding of the material and the conecpts presented in the lectures. The classes involve also working through selected exercise material. Practical sessions are provied to discuss empirical investigation, carried out in team­work, with intermediate reports and a final written report and the discussion of the results. Evaluation: two frequencies weighing in the evaluation, 25% and 30% respectively, and a written work (weight 35%) and oral presentation (weight 10%).