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LING 101: History of the American Languages
Section 000, Tamasi, MWF 11:45am - 12:35pm, Limit 70
4 credits
Content: This course presents a linguistic view of the history, society, and
culture of the United States. It discusses the many languages and forms of
language that have been used in this country over its history, including
standard and nonstandard forms of English, different social and geographical
dialects, African American English, creoles, Native American languages, and
immigrant languages from Asia and Europe.
Students examine the inherent diversity of these communicative systems both
as a form of cultural enrichment and as the basis for socio-political conflict,
and also investigate possible solutions to these problems through class discussion
and debate. In addition, students study the universal phenomenon of language change
and explore how it affects understanding of language behavior.
Students are introduced to the basic concepts of linguistics with an emphasis on
sociolinguistics and the politics of language. They examine historical and contemporary
political dimensions of several issues, including: the "English-Only" controversy;
ideologies of standardization and nationalism; bilingualism and bilingual education;
language and ethnicity; language and age; and language and gender.
Texts:
- Yule, George. 2006. The Study of Language. 3rd ed. Cambridge University Press.
- Finegan, E. and Rickford, J. 2004. Language in the USA. Cambridge University Press.
- Various articles on electronic reserve.
Particulars: Grading will be based on homework, field assignments, in-class debate, tests, and participation.
There are no prerequisites.
"No overloads will be given."
LING 201: Foundations of Linguistics
Section 000, Hary, TuTh 1:00pm - 2:15pm, Limit 35
Cross-listed as ANT 203, Limit 14
4 credits
Content: What is "language" and how do world languages differ? How do linguists investigate
the basic building blocks of human languages? This course introduces students to linguistics,
the scientific study of human language systems. We will emphasize the fundamentals of descriptive
linguistics, the diversity of world languages, and the culturally-specific functions of speech.
We will examine speech sounds (the field of phonetics), the sound systems of languages (phonology),
word and sentence formation (morphology and syntax), how language expresses meaning (semantics), and
how context influences the interpretation of meaning (pragmatics). Additional topics include historical
linguistics, language typology, sociolinguistics, and multilingualism. The course is a core course for the
Linguistics/Psychology Major and the Linguistics Minor, and should be of interest to students of Psychology,
Anthropology, Sociology, Philosophy, English and foreign languages.
Texts:
- O'Grady, W. et al. 2005. Contemporary Linguistics: An Introduction. 5th ed. Bedford/St. Martin's.
- O'Grady, W. et al. Study Guide: Contemporary Linguistics. 5th ed. Bedford/St. Martin's.
Recommended:
David Crystal, The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language. Cambridge University Press.
Particulars: Grades will be based on attendance and participation, weekly homework assignments,
3 quizzes, and a final exam.
LING 340S: Language and Social Interaction
Section 000, Tamasi, TuTh 11:30am - 12:45pm, Limit 12
Cross-listed as ANT 340S, Limit 6
4 credits
Content: In this course, we will take an interdisciplinary approach to answer two key questions: 1) How does society
affect the way people use language? and 2) How does language affect society? We will begin with a cross-cultural investigation into
the social rules that underlie language use within a society. We will use discourse analysis to understand how language has social,
expressive, and referential functions that allow us to produce cooperative conversations. We will then explore language attitudes -
the perceptions, beliefs, and stereotypes that are commonly attached to language and language use. We will investigate where such
attitudes come from, how they are disseminated throughout a society, as well as how they affect our linguistic choices. Finally,
we will look at real world applications and outcomes of language attitudes, including language discrimination and linguistic
profiling. Students will be introduced to both qualitative and quantitative methods for the elicitation and analysis of data,
and will develop their own research projects.
Texts:
Rosina Lippi-Green. 1997. English with an Accent: Language, ideology, and discrimination in the United States. Routledge.
Various articles on electronic reserve.
Particulars: Grading will be based on class participation, several short response papers
and/or field assignments, and a final research paper.
LING 340S: Linguistic Variation and Change
Section 001, Pak, TuTh 2:30pm - 3:45pm, Limit 12
Cross-listed as ANT 340S (3), SOC 389S (3)
4 credits
Content: No two people or groups of people use language in exactly the same way.
Why is this so? How and why does language vary? How can we know when, how and why language is changing?
The field of variationist sociolinguistics was first developed by William Labov as one way to respond to
these questions, and has subsequently become the most well-known branch of sociolinguistics. This course
introduces students to the principles of variationist study of language, including analysis of variation
and change in phonetics, phonology, morphology/lexicon, syntax, and discourse. During the course specific
case studies will be analyzed and critiqued as models of variationist analysis, and students will then
develop research projects of their own in which they collect their own data using variationist field
methods and techniques of analysis.
Texts:
- Many of the assigned readings will be from Miriam Meyerhoff's Introducing Sociolinguistics (2006, Routledge)
- Additional assigned readings will be made available electronically.
Particulars: Grading will be based on homeworks, exams, field project reports, and class participation.
LING 385: Special Topics in Linguistics
The Great Decipherments
Section 000, Stewart, TuTh 1:00pm - 2:15pm, Limit 10
Cross-listed as MESAS 355, Limit 15
4 credits
Content: This course is an introduction to Ancient Near Eastern writing systems, including cuneiform,
hieroglyphics, and the alphabet, their decipherment, and their influence on later writing systems. It will examine the
conventions and historical development of these writing systems as well as the process by which the alphabet came into
being in Syro-Palestine and was adapted to write other languages in the ancient Mediterranean world such as Greek and
Latin. It introduces students to lingistic principles and strategies of decipherment and looks in some detail at the
great decipherments of cuneiform, Egyptian hieroglyphs, and Minoan Linear B, as well as yet undeciphered scripts such
as Elamite and Linear A.
Texts:
- Peter T. Daniels and William Bright (eds.). The World's Writing Systems. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1996.
- Richard Parkinson. Cracking Codes: The Rosetta Stone and Decipherment. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1999.
- John Chadwick. The Decipherment of Linear B. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1967.
- C.B.F. Walker. Cuneiform. Reading the Past. London: British Museum, 1987.
- W. Davies. Egyptian Hierogrlyphs. Reading the Past. London: British Museum, 1987.
Particulars: Class attendance, readings, class participation (10%); three assigned papers/reports (45%: 15% each);
mid-term exam (15%); final exam (30%).
LING 385S: Special Topics in Linguistics
Acoustic Phonetics, Speech Production and Speech Perception
Section 000, Kreitman, MWF 10:40am - 11:30am, Limit 10
Crosslisted as PSYC 385S, Limit 3
Crosslisted as PHYS 380S, Limit 2
4 credits
Content: In this course we will explore how human speechsounds are produced and learn modern techniques for the
analysis of thosespeech sounds. We will engage in experiments such as recording yourself andanalyzing your speech and measuring
your own vocal tract based on acoustic output. The course will be of value to students of language and cognition, but also to
those with an interest in sociolinguistic analysis of phonetic variation.
Texts:
- Lieberman, Philip. Speech Physiology, Speech Perception and Acoustic Phonetics.
Blackwell Publishing, 2nd edition.
- Peter Ladefoged. Elements of Acoustic Phonetic. University Of Chicago Press, 2nd edition.
Particulars: Some background in Linguistics (for example, Ling 201) is recommended.
Students who have no background in Linguistics should consult with the instructor before enrolling in the course.
LING 385S: Theory and Practice of Literary Translation
Section 001, de la Torre, MWF 11:45am - 12:35pm, Limit 3
Crosslisted as SPAN 410S, Limit 12
4 credits
Content: This course examines the history, theory, and practice of literary translation. Part seminar, part workshop, the course will challenge and expand the students' command of Spanish language and culture, as well as their ability to critically interpret literary texts. We will
- Explore basic methods, techniques, and problems of translating from Spanish into English.
- Survey various strategies for dealing with culturally specific items such as slang, or popular expressions.
- Discuss issues such as when is the dictionary useful and when it is not, how to decide what the "right" word is, how much freedom does one have to interpret the text, the relation between translator and author
- Compare/evaluate diverse translations of the same text
- Determine the context, the audience, the purpose of the text
The course also provides an opportunity to engage in creative writing. Readings are in English and Spanish. Class discussion is in Spanish.
Texts: - Susan Bassnett McGuire. Translation Studies
- S. Hervey, et. Al. Thinking Spanish Translation
- Articles on e-reserves
Particulars: The grade is based on one exam, one 15 page translation project, class participation, one oral presentation, and homework assignments.
PREREQUISITES: Spanish 302 or permission of instructor
LING 385S: The Romance Languages
Section 00P, Tuten, MWF 12:50pm - 1:40pm, Limit 6
Cross-listed as SPAN 410S (6), ITAL 376(3) and PORT
412S (3)
4 credits
Content: This course aims to provide an understanding of the history and development from Latin of the
different varieties of Romance (e.g., Italian, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Romanian), focusing on their structure and use.
It will also provide students with an introduction to the fields of historical linguistics and language change. We will
examine changes in the pronunciation (phonetics/phonology), the grammar (morphology/syntax), the lexicon, and also changes
in use (pragmatics). However, beyond this examination of what changes occurred when and where they did, we will also ask: how
and why did specific changes occur in specific times and places (but not others)?; and more importantly, why does language
change and vary at all? To respond to these questions, we will consider how learning and cognition interact with sociohistorical
and cultural factors to shape language change. We will consider too how and why the Romance languages came to be seen as languages
different from Latin and from each other, and how modern institutions have come to promote some kinds of change and discourage others.
Readings and discussion will be in English, but significant previous study of at least one Romance language is required.
Texts: TBA (most available via online reserve).
Particulars: Students enrolling under Spanish, Italian or Portuguese must complete their final research project on some issue relating to the language under which they enrolled.
PREREQUISITES: At least two years of college-level study (or equivalent) of any Romance language
(e.g., Catalan, French, Galician, Italian, Occitan, Portuguese, Romanian, Spanish). Previous or simultaneous study of
Linguistics 201 (Foundations of Linguistics) is strongly recommended but not required. By permission only.
LING 495A: Honors Program
Section 00P, Tuten
Variable credit
Content: Department Honors Program
Particulars:
Permission of the instructor is required prior to pre-registration.
LING 497R: Directed Reading
Section 00P, Faculty
Variable credit
Content: Readings on selected topics in Linguistics as arranged between individual
student(s) and a specific member of the linguistics faculty who consents to guide the student(s)
in a particular area of study, arrange requirements and appointments. Credit hours vary between 2-8 hours.
Particulars: The course may be used to satisfy an elective course for the Minor in Linguistics.
Written permission of the instructor is required prior to pre-registration.
LING 499R: Directed Research
Section 00P, Faculty
Variable credit
Content: This course will allow students to conduct independent research under the
direction of a faculty member. Students will have the opportunity to observe how
linguistic theories and models are applied, learn research methods, and may elect
to apply them in their own research project, developed under the close supervision of
a faculty member. The number of credit hours varies between 1-4. Permission of
instructor required prior to registration.
Particulars: The course may be used to satisfy an elective course for the Minor in
Linguistics. Written permission of the instructor is required prior to pre-registration.
LING 505: Problems in Foreign Language Teaching
Section 000, Herron, M 1:00-4:00pm, Limit 5
Cross-listed as FREN 505, Limit 10
4 credits
Content:
This course presents an overview of current second language learning theories, a description and evaluation of existing second language teaching methods, and a discussion of major topics of instructional concern within the foreign language profession. The course goal is to provide experiences that facilitate the development of professional foreign language educators and inquirers through practical classroom implementation and evaluation of research-based foreign language teaching practices.
Texts:
- Teacher's Handbook: Contextualized Language Instruction (3rd edition), Shrum and Glisan.
- A collection of xeroxed research articles.
* Enrollment is open to both undergraduate and graduate students.
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