Module manager: Dr Alison
Email: a.j.may1@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
| ENGL5414M | Text At Scale: Introducing Corpus Analysis |
This module is not approved as an Elective
The module is an advanced introduction to corpus linguistics and corpus-based approaches to humanities research. The module is informed by the research activities of colleagues in the School of English, and others across the Faculty. The topic is an essential part of current and emerging approaches to discourse and text analysis, widely construed, and offers distinct theoretical understanding of language, such as their role in the development of Large Language Models. The module provides students with transferable skills in quantitative and qualitative data analysis and experience in using specialist and more mainstream software packages. Please note this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module.
The module introduces the foundational theory and methods of corpus linguistics. Students gain hands-on experience of using different tools for corpus analysis, learning about existing resources (software, datasets), the essential principles for designing and developing an original corpus, and the theoretical models of language and statistics which underpin the subject area. The module highlights the interdisciplinary potential of the approach through the analysis of different kinds of text and discourse, exploring diverse genres and topics such as politics, news, fiction and policy, using contemporary and historical corpora.
On successful completion of the module students should be able to:
LO1: Apply corpus linguistic approaches in response to a specific outcomes that a student will have achieved on successful completion of the module. Learning outcomes relate to student achievement and should be specific, measurable, and attainable, and use action verbs. They need to correspond to the level of the module and will link to the key assessment tasks. (Total combined character count for subject and skills LOs 16000 maximum) problem or question
LO2: Critically appraise the design of a corpus and the analytic approach taken in corpus linguistic research
LO3: Identify and evaluate the key debates and developments in corpus linguistics, and their impact on their own work, the discipline, and beyond
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
SLO1: Demonstrate independent decision making in corpus research and analysis (Decision-making, Work Ready Skills)
SLO2: Create and analyse texts of different kinds (e.g. literary and non-literary) effectively using digital technologies (Digital proficiency and productivity; Digital Skills) SLO3: Communicate complex quantitative and qualitative findings using verbal and visual resources (Effective Communication; Sustainability)
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| Practical | 6 | 2 | 12 |
| Private study hours | 135 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 15 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150 | ||
Students will have the opportunity to gain feedback on their work through peer-review and tutor discussion in the weekly workshops, and will be invited to submit a presentation plan for formative feedback in the latter half of the module.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Individual presentation | 80 |
| Coursework | Reflection | |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 80 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team