The discipline provides an advanced review of the key areas of linguistics, covering aspects of current theories and method and descriptive practice. The course concentrates on the core components of linguistic analysis, reviewing key aspects of the sound system, morphology, syntax and semantics, all in relation to the Portuguese language.

This course introduces a number of concepts and problems in English word and sentence structure. We study the relationship between form and meaning at the level of the word, considering the following topics: the word; derivation and inflection; bound versus free morphemes; roots and affixes; morphemes and allomorphs; suppletion; compounds; the notion of head. We also study lexical categories or word classes (noun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition and determiner); phrases (noun phrase, adjective and adverb phrase, verb phrase); the arrangement of words and phrases in well-formed English sentences; grammatical relations and functions (subject, object and predicate); the alternation of active and passive voice; various types of clauses.

Discussion on research methods in Linguistics. Overall assessment of the scope and requirements of research within a master’s program and of the writing of a master’s program dissertation. Producing and discussing chapter plans, dissertation plan, critical reviews, comments, essays related to the research required by the dissertation topic chosen by the student. Discussing issues and problems arisen by the actual writing of a research paper/a master dissertation. The students will make a public presentations of an issues/parts/chapter of their dissertation, in which they will be confronted with questions in a very similar context to the actual public defense of their final dissertation.

In this course the student will receive a practical introduction and training in the use of some of the main digital tools used in research on various types of linguistic corpus data, spoken and written. The course will include such topics as corpus design, transcription and digital alignment, annotation and evaluation using quantitative methods suitable for different levels and topics of linguistic analysis, including lexicography, morpho-syntactic description, and sociolinguistic descriptions.

This module provides an advanced introduction to current studies and theories of language acquisition. It introduces the central theories pertaining to the acquisition of a second language by child and adult learners. As such, the programme will discuss key questions such as the relevance of universal grammar, , the role of L1 transfer, age in L2 acquisition (in child L2 vs. adult L2), the impact of individual differences and the effects of different types of primary linguistic data input. Attention will be given to the different developmental stages commonly observed in language acquisition and the quality of the ultimate state of attainment in the acquisition of L2 by children and adults.

This course covers the sociolinguistic history of the Patuá Creole Portuguese language of Macau, while paying particular attention to the description of its grammar and lexicon as represented in the 19th written materials, and in 20th century texts and audio and video recordings. The effects of decreolization and attrition will be discussed, as well as issues relating to language revitalization.

This course studies the development and current roles of Portuguese and Creole Portuguese communities in East and Southeast. Attention is given to the modern reflexes of these communities, in terms of their modern functions and future projections, as well as their intangible patrimony in the case of the creole communities. The course addresses aspects of linguistic typology, and linguistic development, the maintenance of linguistic traditions, and linguistic reflexes of other cultural practices, such as oral traditions, kinship and marriage traditions, games, and world beliefs.

This module considers the theoretical bases of contemporary second language teaching methods. It considers the relationship between first and second language acquisition theories and language learning and teaching theories. Diverse language teaching methods will be evaluated from the perspective of current acquisition theory with the overall aim of assessing their relevance and effectiveness.

The aim of this course is to introduce students to current advanced topics in Linguistics which are of relevance to their research but which they have not studied previously. The course will cover current issues in language acquisition and change, language variation, and language endangerment and revitalization. 

This module will consider different possible ways of reading literature, and will offer insight into how language constructs identity, and values through text. It introduces first year students to literary and critical theory by looking at key issues concerning interpretation, textuality and authority, and exploring the concepts of reader, text and author through a selection of literary, filmic, and theoretical texts.

This module covers at a more advanced level a range of critical theories and methodologies that inform contemporary literary criticism. It is concerned with key critical terms and concepts, major thinkers, and important issues in literary criticism and theory. Theoretical and critical texts as well as selected literary texts will be read and commented in order to develop practical research methods for literary scholarship. Emphasis will be given to both reading and writing literary criticism in order to develop vocabulary and skills necessary to participate in scholarly literary debate.

Discussion on research methods in Literary and Cultural Studies and Social Sciences. Overall assessment of the scope and requirements of research within a master’s program and of the writing of a master’s program dissertation. Producing and discussing critical reviews, comments, essays related to the research required by the dissertation/theme chosen by the student. Discussing issues and problems arisen by the actual writing of a research paper/a master dissertation. The students will be asked to do a public presentation of an issue/part/chapter of their dissertation, in which they will be confronted with questions in a very similar context to the actual public defense of their final dissertation.

This course aims at offering an overview of Literatures in Portuguese, examining the emergence and existence of literary systems through the most important landmarks of Literatures in Portuguese Language and the Portuguese Colonial Empire. The colonial relations in Asian, American and African societies will be analyzed, as well as the “Contact Zones” of the Portuguese language, focusing on the social-historic and political context of the Portuguese Speaking Countries Literatures.

This course aims at examining the imagines of Asia in Portuguese prose in Portuguese in the 19th, 20th and 21st century. The fascination for Asia and the perception of the Other will be studied as well as contradictory feelings of immersion and estrangement, escape and return to the Self.

Influence of the East in Western poetic Diction: the impact of Pound’s experiments with the translation and recreation of classical Chinese and Japanese poetry in modernist and post-modernist poetic diction. In the wake of Pound’s Modernist adventure: tradition and invention of Eastern Classical Poetry in some of the Brazilian and Portuguese Poetry; Readings on poets such as Guilherme de Almeida, Manuel Bandeira, Paulo Leminski, Haroldo de Campos, Fernando Pessoa, David Mourão-Ferreira, Herberto Helder, Jorge de Sena, Ramos Rosa, Eugénio de Andrade, Sophia de Mello Breyner, Casimiro de Brito, Alice Ruiz, which have experiments with insights and modulations of Eastern Poetics.

The development of identity in fictional and poetic speech: choices and dilemmas (nationality, miscegenation, ideologies and affection) in Macau’s Literature in Portuguese. Students will study fiction and poetry dealing with identity and integrity issues, division without redemption, confronting dilemma and drama that arise from heritages, languages, cultures mixing, a specific thematic of Macau aesthetic production.

The aim of this course is to introduce students to current advanced topics in Literary Studies which are of relevance to their research but which they have not studied previously. The course will cover current issues in literary theory, comparative poetics, cultural studies, literary hermeneutics and postcolonial studies.

The master dissertation consists of a one-year individual research project with thesis in the area of Portuguese Linguistics. Students will apply the concepts learned in the first year to a specific issue in Portuguese Linguistics. Each student will be assigned with a thesis supervisor (co-supervision is also possible).