Courses in Linguistics (Division 423)

Ling. 102. First Year Seminar (Humanities).

Only first-year students, including those with sophomore standing, may pre-register for First-Year Seminars. All others need permission of instructor. (3). (HU).

Designed to introduce entering students to the intellectual life of the university in a small course taught by an experienced member of the faculty. Topics vary according to the interests of the instructors. Whatever their subject matter, first-year seminars emphasize critical thinking through class discussion and regular practice in writing. Linguistics 102-104 differ only in their area distribution designation.

Ling. 103. First Year Seminar (Social Science).

Only first-year students, including those with sophomore standing, may pre-register for First-Year Seminars. All others need permission of instructor. (3). (SS).

Designed to introduce entering students to the intellectual life of the university in a small course taught by an experienced member of the faculty. Topics vary according to the interests of the instructors. Whatever their subject matter, first-year seminars emphasize critical thinking through class discussion and regular practice in writing. Linguistics 102-104 differ only in their area distribution designation.

Ling. 104. First Year Seminar (Introductory Composition).

Only first-year students, including those with sophomore standing, may pre-register for First-Year Seminars. All others need permission of instructor. (4). (Introductory Composition).

Designed to introduce entering students to the intellectual life of the university in a small course taught by an experienced member of the faculty. Topics vary according to the interests of the instructors. Whatever their subject matter, first-year seminars emphasize critical thinking through class discussion and regular practice in writing. Linguistics 102-104 differ only in their area distribution designation.

Ling. 112. Languages of the World.

(3). (SS).

How many languages are there, and where are they found? Are all human languages related to each other? What facts about language structure give languages their "character" or "flavor"? Are there any universal properties to language, that is, structures found in every language? What do these universals suggest about human culture and thought?

Ling. 114. A World of Words.

(3). (HU).

The course studies the internal structure of words (morphology and phonetics), word history (etymology), how English is related to other languages (Indo-European linguistics) and social and cultural implications of our vocabulary and its use.

Ling. 119. Conversation.

(3). (SS).

At the core of contact between humans is face-to -face interaction. This course introduces students to principles for the study of conversation. Course members are actively engaged in the analysis of existing data as well as gathering and studying data they collect.

Ling. 210. Introduction to Linguistic Analysis.

(4). (SS).

This course is concerned with developing the analytic skills and theoretical concepts used by linguists in describing the structural phenomena of human language. Recommended for potential concentrators.

Ling. 211. Introduction to Language.

(3). (SS).

Concerned with the results of linguistic research, this course covers the social, cultural, and communicative aspects of language use and development.

Ling. 212. Introduction to the Symbolic Analysis of Language.

(4; 2 in the half-term). (MSA).

Introduction to some basic mathematical concepts and techniques used to represent linguistic meaning. Set theory, first-order logic and (elementary) model theory. Investigation of the extent to which models constructed in class succeed in approximating natural language, and an analysis/attempt to solve some important failures of these models.

Ling. 272/Anthro. 272. Language in Society.

Primarily for first- and second-year students. (4; 2 in the half-term). (SS). (R&E).

An introduction to the systematic study of language and of the place of language in society. Origins of language in the species, child language, language and thought, meaning, and language and social class. Lectures and discussion.

Ling. 305. Advertising Rhetoric.

Junior standing. (3). (Excl).

Considers how verbal and visual advertising messages are interpreted by consumers within a cultural context. The rhetorical analysis emphasizes the inherent contradictions in most advertising messages.

Ling. 313. Sound Patterns.

Ling. 210 or 211. (3; 2 in the half-term). (SS).

This course explores two fundamental aspects of the sounds of human languages: speech sounds as physical entities (phonetics) and speech sounds as linguistic units (phonology).

Ling. 314. Text, Context, and Meaning.

Ling. 210 or 211. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).

Introduction to aspects of semantic and pragmatic systems in natural language. Topics covered include: lexical semantics, logic and formal systems, reference and coreference, presupposition and entailment, metaphor and cognition, pragmatics, and text analysis. Emphasis on data analysis.

Ling. 315. Introduction to Sentence Analysis.

Ling. 210 or 211. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).

This course focuses on recognizing linguistic data, organizing that data, and formulating all the logically possible analyses for that data within the framework of different syntactical areas.

Ling. 317. Language and History.

Ling. 210 or 211. (3; 2 in the half-term). (HU).

Languages vary and change in order to accommodate the needs of their speakers; language histories overlap with and reflect the political, social and economic histories of speech communities.

Ling. 318. Types of Languages.

Ling. 210 or 211. (3). (Excl).

The course introduces students to basic grammatical structure and function by (1) having them investigate unfamiliar languages through published descriptive grammars and (2) relating this direct experience to the principal findings of contemporary linguistic researchers.

Ling. 342. Perspectives on Bilingualism.

Ling. 272, or Ling. 210, or Ling. 211. (3). (Excl).

This course examines bilingualism as a language contact phenomenon, chiefly from a sociolinguistic perspective, beginning with an overview of a broad range of social and political issues which underlie much discussion in the literature. Various definitions and descriptions of bilingualism also are considered.

Ling. 350. Perspectives on Second Language Learning and Second Language Instruction.

Ling. 210 or 211. (3). (Excl).

This course explores past and current directions in both theoretical and practical aspects of second language learning and teaching. The background of knowledge and experience it provides is intended not only for those interested in learning and teaching of English to speakers of other languages but to those interested in foreign language teaching as well.

Ling. 351. Second Language Acquisition.

Ling. 210 or 211. (3). (SS).

An introduction to second language learning and emphasis on linguistic, psychological and socio-cultural variables.

Ling. 361. Studies in American Sign Language.

(3). (Excl).

This course examines the structure, use and acquisition of American Sign Language and its significance for the study of the human capacity for language.

Ling. 385. Experiential Practice.

Permission of instructor. (1-6). (Excl). Offered mandatory credit/no credit. (EXPERIENTIAL). May be repeated for a total of six credit.

Supervised participation in one of a variety of service projects involving language, including tutoring and formal teaching. May involve specialized training, which will be a part of the project. Projects may extend over several terms.

Ling. 395. Individual Research.

Permission of instructor. (1-4). (Excl). (INDEPENDENT). May be repeated for a total of six credits.

Adequately prepared students pursue individual research with a member of the faculty.

Ling. 406/English 406. Modern English Grammar.

(3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).

A descriptive analysis of the structure of present-day American English.

Ling. 408/English 408. Varieties of English.

(3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).

Under this rubric, the department has courses in such topics as American English, English as a world language, Black English, and dialects of English.

Ling. 409/Anthro. 472. Language and Culture.

(3; 2 in the half-term). (HU).

The study of the ways various culture patterns and values are reflected in languages.

Ling. 410/Anthro. 474. Language and Discrimination: Language as Social Statement.

(3; 2 in the half-term). (SS).

The study of those dialectical differences which vary with class, ethnic, and racial affiliation. Particular emphasis is given to dialects of English spoken by Black Americans.

Ling. 411. Introduction to Linguistics.

Not open to students with credit for Ling. 211. (3; 2 in the half-term). (SS).

Basic concepts, scope, and methodology of the science of language in its descriptive and historical aspects.

Ling. 416. Field Methods in Linguistics.

One course in phonetics or phonology and a course in syntax. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).

Course giving the student "hands-on" experience in the elicitation and analysis of linguistic data. A native speaker of a language not known to the students or the instructor is present in the class as informant. Students are given training in techniques of elicitation, organization and analysis of data as well as formation and testing of hypotheses based on such data.

Ling. 421. Morphology.

One introductory linguistics course. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).

An introduction to morphological theory, the goal of which is to provide a framework within which word structure in all languages can be described.

Ling. 429. Discourse Analysis and Language Teaching.

Ling. 313, 314, or 315. (3). (Excl).

Explores how we can integrate our growing understanding of discourse with materials for first and second language learning.

Ling. 433/AAPTIS 433. Arabic Syntax and Semantics.

AAPTIS 431, and AAPTIS 102 or 103. (3). (Excl).

Study of theories of generative syntax especially the principles and parameters approach and situation semantics and their relevance to the analysis of Modern Standard Arabic and at least on Arabic dialect using as a reference point medieval Arabic grammar. There is focus on some relevant theoretical constructs as they apply to the syntactic and semantic analysis of Arabic.

Ling. 447/Psych. 445. Psychology of Language.

Psych. 340. (3). (Excl).

A survey of research and theory on the normal language processes in children and adults. Among the topics usually discussed are first language acquisition, biological basis of language, speech perception, language comprehension, semantic memory, language production, bilingualism, second-language learning, and reading.

Ling. 449/CAAS 439. Creole Languages and Caribbean Identities.

(3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).

Explorations of linguistic creolization from an historical/comparative perspective, tracing Caribbean creoles to African and European ancestors. Survey of hypotheses about Creole genesis. Examination of sociocultural ramifications of creolization. Issues of identities, misidentifications; creole speakers' attitudes toward race and the African and European components of their cultures. Comparison with African-American society.

Ling. 451/Psych. 451. Development of Language and Thought.

Psych. 350. (3). (SS).

An examination of early children's language and its relation to conceptual development. Course covers development of word meaning, organization of early concepts, the nature of early grammatical knowledge, and how language development relates to logical thinking and social knowledge.

Ling. 473/Anthro. 473. Ethnopoetics: Cross-Cultural Approaches to Verbal Art.

Two courses in anthropology, linguistics, or literature. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).

Cross-cultural problems in translation and interpretation of text in oral traditions. Form and performance in verbal art of non-Western peoples. "Oral literatures" as shapers of, and shaped by, the cultures of which they are part.

Ling. 492. Topics in Linguistics.

(3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl). May be elected for credit twice.

This course covers current topics in linguistics.

Ling. 493. Undergraduate Reading.

Permission of the concentration advisor. (1-3). (Excl). (INDEPENDENT). May be repeated for credit with permission of concentration advisor.

An independent study course for undergraduates.

Ling. 494. Undergraduate Reading.

Permission of the concentration advisor. (1-3). (Excl). (INDEPENDENT). May be repeated for credit with permission of concentration advisor.

An independent study course for undergraduates.

Ling. 495. Senior Honors Reading Course.

Permission of concentration advisor. (1-3). (Excl). (INDEPENDENT).

No description provided.

Ling. 496. Senior Honors Reading Course.

Permission of concentration advisor. (1-3). (Excl). (INDEPENDENT).

No description provided.

Ling. 512(412). Phonetics.

Ling. 313. (4). (Excl).

An introduction to phonetics (the study of the nature of speech sounds). The course focuses on the description of speech sounds in terms of their articulatory, acoustic, and perceptual characteristics and the production and transcription of sounds that occur in the languages of the world.

Ling. 513(413). Phonology.

Ling. 313. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).

The organization of speech into the functionally distinct phonological units of particular languages. Applications of phonological analysis to English and other languages.

Ling. 514(414). Semantics and Pragmatics.

Linguistics 314. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).

An introduction to semantics (literal meaning) and pragmatics (contextual and inferred meaning) with emphasis on applications to grammatical analysis. Specific topics include: (1) ambiguities of structure and meaning; (2) word meaning and compositionality; and (3) quantification and logical form.

Ling. 515(415). Generative Syntax.

Ling. 315. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).

In the Generative (or Chomskyan) framework of syntax, sentence structure is viewed as being generated by a formal mathematical system of rules and constraints. Some of these rules and constraints are innate and universal across languages; others are learned or "paramaterized."

Ling. 517(417)/Anthro. 519/German 517. Principles and Methods of Historical Linguistics.

Graduate standing, or permission of instructor. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).

Assumptions underlying the establishment of historical relationships between languages. Techniques of internal and comparative reconstruction of related languages and types of linguistic change.

Ling. 518(418). Linguistic Typology.

Graduate standing; undergraduates with permission of department. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).

While humans appear fairly alike in physical characteristics and mental capcity, their languages (and cultures) are extremely divers. This course invites students to investigate unfamiliar languages in published descriptive grammars and relate this to contemporary typological research.

Ling. 519(419). Discourse Analysis.

Permission of instructor. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).

The study of turn-taking and conversation structure, referent status (topic and focus), information status (given/new, foregrounding); cohesion and coherence in texts, the role of belief systems (knowledge and social status) in text construction.

Ling. 532. Issues in Bilingualism.

Graduate standing or permission of instructor. (3). (Excl).

This course explores a number of issues arising from bilingualism – attitudes towards bilingualism; bilingual knowledge and competence; bilingual language acquisition; the social meanings associated with different codes in bi- and multi-lingual repertoires; language maintenance, shift and death.

Ling. 541/CS 595/EECS 595. Natural Language Processing.

Senior standing. (3). (Excl). (BS).

A survey of syntactic and semantic theories of natural language processing, including unification-based grammars, methods of parsing, and a wide range of semantic theories from artificial intelligence as well as from philosophy of language. Programming is optional though a project is normally required.

Ling. 542(442)/Anthro. 572. Introduction to Sociolinguistics.

Ling. 414 or graduate standing. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).

The study of language as a heterogeneous system. The analysis of linguistic variability in its social context and the implications of variation for language change.

Ling. 555(455). Introduction to Cognitive Grammar.

Graduate standing or permission of instructor. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).

This course presents the grammar of English from a cognitive perspective, based on psychological models of concepts in the mind.