Language, Brain and Behaviour
Qualifications
Overview
This specialisation is for those who are interested in psychology and language, and develops your understanding of how these shape our behaviour, identity, culture, and wellbeing.
- Hands-on testing in the lab to explore how the brain works, using modern computer labs designed for experiments in human performance, human-robot interactions, language cognition, social behaviour, and more.
- Take courses from a wide variety of subjects to customise your study, including psychology, social media, anthropology, and other languages.
- Benefit from UC's Te Kāhui Roro Reo | New Zealand Institute of Language, Brain and Behaviour, a multi-disciplinary centre dedicated to the study of human language.
Language, Brain and Behaviour specialisation
UC offers a specialisation in Language, Brain and Behaviour within the Bachelor of Arts. Specialisations group courses from different subjects into a central theme.
Throughout study you will explore neuropsychology, language learning, and cultural development and communication of language. In the final year, you will carry out your own research project relevant to your specific interests.
You are also encouraged to take a minor in a language to study alongside this specialisation. UC offers language studies in:
See the subject pages for the minor requirements.
The following courses are required throughout your degree:
100-level
- LING101 The English Language
- PSYC105 Introductory Psychology - Brain, Behaviour and Cognition
- PSYC106 Introductory Psychology - Social, Personality and Development
These introductory courses are also recommended for your first year.
200-level
- PSYC206 Introductory Research Methods and Statistics
- Two 200-level LING courses
- One 200-level PSYC course
- Two courses chosen from these options
PSYC208 Cognition or PSYC209 Sensation and Perception are recommended.
300-level
- LING310 Linguistic Research and New Zealand English
- 30 points of 300-level PSYC courses
- 30 points of courses chosen from these options
PSYC333 Biological Psychology is recommended.
This specialisation will be of value to anyone wishing to continue on to areas such as language research or teaching, youth development, communication skills training, or development of new language technologies.
Career pathways could include:
- Language technology development
- Policy development
- Data analysis
- Teaching.
Find out more about what you can do with a degree from UC.
Contact us
Te Kaupeka Toi Tangata | Faculty of Arts
Phone +64 3 369 3377
Email linguistics@canterbury.ac.nz
Location
Level 1, Elsie Locke Building – see campus maps
Postal address
Te Kaupeka Toi Tangata | Faculty of Arts
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140
New Zealand
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