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Clinical Phonology - LAN00073H

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  • Department: Language and Linguistic Science
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23
    • See module specification for other years: 2023-24

Module summary

In this module, you will consolidate your skills and knowledge of phonological theory and analysis by using them to analyse clinical data from children who have communication disorders. You will learn the principles of a number of different phonological theories and how to use them to analyse clinical data, in order to compare and evaluate the competing theories.

Related modules

Pre-requisite modules

Co-requisite modules

  • None

Prohibited combinations

  • None

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Spring Term 2022-23 to Summer Term 2022-23

Module aims

The aim of this module is to provide an opportunity to consolidate your skills in phonological analysis by applying them to real world data, in the form of clinical data from children and/or adults who have communication disorders. In 2022-23 the focus of data analysis will be developmental phonological disorders in children.

You will learn the principles of a number of relevant phonological theories, and how to use them to analyse clinical data, in order to compare and evaluate the competing theories. Most data analysed will be in English, from published and unpublished clinical case studies.

This is not a course in clinical phonology, but you will get a taste of the kind of data that clinical phonology deals with, and the tools used by Speech and Language Therapists to assess children's speech, whilst enhancing your skills in phonological analysis and broadening your knowledge of the range of current competing theories in phonology.

Module learning outcomes

You will:

  • be able to analyse clinical data in basic feature theory and/or using syllable structure representations
  • have an understanding of the basic principles of two or more further phonological theories
  • be able to analyse clinical and non-clinical data in two or more further phonological theories
  • have an awareness of some common types of data that arise in clinical phonology
  • be able to critically evaluate a theoretical argument on the basis of empirical evidence

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 50
Essay/coursework 50

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

  • Formative data exercises will be set throughout the module, with feedback on formative work within two weeks of submission.
  • Student presentations (in groups) during seminars also serve as formative work. Oral feedback will be provided immediately following the presentation.

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

Feedback on summative data exercises: class feedback in the last teaching session. Individual marks and feedback within the University marking turnaround deadline.

Feedback on summative essay within the University marking turnaround deadline.

Indicative reading

Ball, M. J., Muller, N., & Rutter, B. (2014). Phonology for communication disorders. Psychology Press.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.