MA (or Postgraduate Diploma/Certificate) in Forensic Linguistics

The full-time MA/Diploma/Certificate in Forensic Linguistics is an innovative programme which provides a unique opportunity to focus on the study of language in the legal and judicial process at Masters level. The MA is a one-year full-time programme, with modules taught over two semesters (September to April), followed by a supervised dissertation of between 14,000 and 20,000 words between May and September. The six modules studied are:

Outlines of all modules are available online here.

A reduced version of the programme may instead be taken over two semesters only, without the dissertation, for the award of Postgraduate Diploma or over a single semester, for the award of Postgraduate Certificate.

MA/Diploma in Language and Communication Research (with specialisation in Forensic Linguistics)

This scheme is for anyone wishing to develop research knowledge and skills relating to the area of Forensic Linguistics). The MA in Language and Communication Research carries Advanced Course Recognition from the ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council) as a postgraduate research training scheme. It can be seen either as a free-standing professional qualification, or a preparatory step to embarking on a PhD. The MA is full-time, with taught courses over two semesters (September to April), followed by a supervised dissertation of between 14,000 and 20,000 words between May and September. The six modules studied are:

Studentships or bursaries are sometimes available for this MA for UK/EU applicants. Such applicants should indicate on their application form if they wish to be considered for any such funding that might become available.

Modules in Forensic Linguistics

This first forensic linguistics module introduces students to the theory and practice of forensic linguistic analysis in its descriptive dimension. After considering the ethical issues of confidentiality associated with accessing and analysing forensic texts, we will examine the discourse characteristics of a range of forensic settings, from the language of the emergency call centre to the police station and the adversarial courtroom. We will analyse authentic data from UK, US and Australian sources. Finally, we will study data from police interviews and trial interaction with specific groups, including non-native speakers and female victims of rape and sexual assault.

The second forensic linguistics module deals with the role of the linguist in language reform and in the investigation of language crimes. We will examine some of methods linguists have for resolving questions of authorship, including plagiarised texts, as well as suicide notes apparently written shortly before death, threatening letters and disputed police interview records. We will also study forensic speaker identification, disputed utterance analysis and earwitness testimony in voice line-ups. Finally, the module will involve the analysis of a range of legal texts designed for the layperson, such as the police caution and jury instructions, both evaluating the success of attempts to improve their comprehensibility, and producing alternative formulations.

http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/encap/clcr/postgrad/forensics.htm