Language, Context and Social Behaviour

Undergraduate | 2026

Course page banner
Mode icon
Mode
Mode
Your studies will be on-campus, and may include some online delivery
On campus
area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
PSYC 3020
Course ID icon
Course ID
204607
Campus icon
Campus
Magill
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
Psychology
Course coordinator
Course coordinator
Eden Thain
Course level icon
Course level
3
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
Study abroad and student exchange icon
Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
No
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
No
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
No

Course overview

The aim of this course is to develop students' advanced understanding of a range of approaches to language use, and knowledge of how people use language as part of their social behaviour. In this course students will develop advanced knowledge of the social properties of language such as: evading the consequences for what is said; getting people to do things using language; establishing ‘facts' or arguing for beliefs; challenging ‘facts'; and using language to maintain social relationships. Students will develop skills to analyse discourse and conversation in their social contexts.

Course learning outcomes

  • Critically analyse a variety of interdisciplinary materials about language use, social conversation and discourse.
  • Analyse the possible strategies of language use from reading or watching social interactions.
  • Recognize and analyse the social strategies of language use in practical applications.

Availability

Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 04/09/2026
Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 21/08/2026
Last day to W
Last day to W
Fri 18/09/2026
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 16/10/2026

Class details

Magill

Class number
Class number 59533
Section
Section LE01
Size
Size 120
Available
Available 120
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
3 Aug - 30 Oct - Magill ,
Class number
Class number 54588
Section
Section PR01
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
5 Aug - 16 Sep Wednesday 2:10pm - 3pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-10
14 Oct - 28 Oct Wednesday 2:10pm - 3pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-10
Class number
Class number 54589
Section
Section PR02
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
6 Aug - 17 Sep Thursday 11:10am - 12pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-09
15 Oct - 29 Oct Thursday 11:10am - 12pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-09
Class number
Class number 54590
Section
Section PR03
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
6 Aug - 17 Sep Thursday 10:10am - 11am Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-09
15 Oct - 29 Oct Thursday 10:10am - 11am Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-09
Class number
Class number 54591
Section
Section PR04
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
5 Aug - 16 Sep Wednesday 3:10pm - 4pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-10
14 Oct - 28 Oct Wednesday 3:10pm - 4pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-10

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A

Assumed knowledge

N/A

Textbook(s)

N/A

Inherent requirements

N/A

Other resources

N/A

Assessment

N/A

Fee calculator

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Study Abroad student tuition fees are available here.

Only some Postgraduate Coursework programs are available as Commonwealth Supported. Please check your program for specific fee information.

The Student Contribution amount displayed below is for students commencing a new program from 2021 onwards. If you are continuing in a program you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, or are commencing an Honours degree relating to an undergraduate degree you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, you may be charged a different Student Contribution amount from the amount displayed below. Please check the Student Contribution bands for continuing students here. If you are an international student, or a domestic student studying in a full fee paying place, and are continuing study that you commenced in 2025 or earlier, your fees will be available here before enrolments open for 2026.