1997 Swinburne Higher Education Handbook

of language. The topics studied include sound systems of
human speech, the combination of sounds into words, the
rules for combining words into sentences, the study of
meaning, the role of discourse, and language usage within a
social system. Although most of the examples are taken
from the English language, their applicability to Japanese,
Korean, Italian and other languages is also explained.
Students undertaking foreign language majors are highly
recommended to include this subject in their course. It is
also available to students not studying languages.
Recommended reading
Fromkin, V. et al. An Introduction to Language. 2nd Australian
edn, Sydney, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1990
AT1 17 Philosophy of Mind
3 hours per week Hawthorn Prerequisite: nil
Assessment: continuous
A subject in the Bachelor of Arts
Objectives and Content
This subject is offered as an elective for psychophysiology comajor
students. This subject introduces students to a range of
philosophical issues associated with the study of mind, brain
and cognition. It draws upon problems and issues arising from
recent developments in computer technology, especially in
artificial intelligence research, expert systems and neural nets, to
show the contemporary relevance of many traditional
approaches to the philosophy of mind, and to explore some of
the new questions which have emerged from these advanced
technologies.
Recommended reading
Consult the lecturer in charge
Allman, W. Apprentices of Wonder: Inside the Neural Network
Revolution. New York, Bantam Books, 1989
Penrose, R. The Emperor's New Mind. Oxford, Oxford University
Press, 1989
AT1 18
Aboriginal Issues
3 hours per week Hawthorn Prerequisite: nil
Assessment: continuous
A subject in the Bachelor of Arts
Objectives and Content
This subject is designed to allow examination of a wide
range of contemporary Aboriginal issues. It is expected that
students will become aware of the social and historical
antecedents and recognise relationships that exist between
them.
The central theme of the subject is the relationship between
land and culture, from dispossession and demoralisation to
the contemporary land rights movement as an attempt to reestablish
a satisfactory cultural identity. Issues covered will
include land rights, the search for identity, community
development, health, employment, art and music.
Recommended reading
To be advised
AT1 19 Academic Communication Skills
4 hoursper week Hawthorn Prerequisite: nil
Assessment: continuous, and will be based on classwork, a
journal and essay
A subject in the Bachelor of Arts
This subject is strongly recommended for all first year
international students
Objectives and Content
This subject is designed specifically for international
students. It seeks to explicitly teach techniques in academic
skills which aid in the transition to Australian tertiary
academic life. The course incorporates classes in advanced
reading, research techniques, essay writing, discussion skills
analysis and criticism.
These skills are taught within a framework of English as a
second language. It is taught through several themes which
examine cultural issues and values in the Australian setting.
As well it seeks to orient students to different disciplinary
thinking by viewing these themes from different subject
perspectives.
It incorporates guest lecturers, language support and a forum
for ~roblem solving for students new to the Australian
academic expectations.
Recommended reading
Swan, M. Practical English Usage. 22nd edn, Oxford, Oxford
University Press, 1980
AT2 18
Archaeology
3 hoursper week Hawthorn Prerequisite: nil
Assessment: essay, fieldwork diary and rtport
A subject in the Bachelor of Arts
Objectives and Content
This subject introduces students to field techniques as a
method of enquiry in archaeology. Students will develop an
understanding of the adaptability of human populations,
theories of human evolution and development, and acquire
insights into Australian race relations.
The subject involves a five day field work program held
during a non-teaching week. Students learn and practise a
number of site survey techniques on a variety of sites. Direct
contact with local Aboriginal communities is ~rovided
through cultural heritage officers. Lectures and tutorials are
held for five weeks after the field trip and cover such topics
as developments in Australian archaeology, contributions
from the sciences, environmental issues, ethics and the
Aboriginal view of archaeology.
Recommended reading
Flood, J. Archaeology of the Dreamtime. Sydney, Collins, 1983
Flood, J. 7;be Riches of Ancient Australia. St. Lucia, University of
Queensland Press, 1990
Swinburne University of Technology 1997 Hand book 255