Fall 2023
ANTH 2400-02 Language and Culture
MW 2-3:15
Lise Dobrin
What is language and how do humans use it to create and interpret their social worlds? This course introduces students to the study of language as a cultural phenomenon by exploring linguistic structure and practices including writing, non-verbal communication, conversation, informal storytelling, and other forms of expression. Over the semester you will gain critical perspective on widely held ideas about what is natural and effective in language and communication; you will learn to more closely observe and analyze the subtle ways that meaning is being made all around you all the time; and you will be exposed to some of the fascinating variations in how language is used across cultures.
ANTH 2400-100 Language and Culture
TR 2-2:50 + obligatory discussion session
Nathan Wendte
Introduces the interrelationships of linguistic, cultural, and social phenomena with emphasis on the importance of these interrelationships in interpreting human behavior. No prior knowledge of linguistics is required. Satisfies the College Non-Western perspectives requirement.
ANTH 2410 Sociolinguistics
TR 9:30-10:45am
Daniel Lefkowitz
Reviews key findings in the study of language variation. Explores the use of language to express identity and social difference. No background in linguistics is presupposed.
ANTH 2430 Languages of the World
MW 10-10:50 + obligatory discussion session
Armik Mirzayan
An introduction to the study of language relationships and linguistic structures. Topics covered the basic elements of grammatical description; genetic, areal, and typological relationships among languages; a survey of the world's major language groupings and the notable structures and grammatical categories they exhibit; and the issue of language endangerment. Prerequisite: One year of a foreign language or permission of instructor.
ANTH 2541 Topics in Linguistics: French Creole Language Structures
TR 9:30-10:45
Nathan Wendte
This course examines the similarities and differences in phonology, morphology, and syntax among those creole languages whose primary lexicon is derived from French. We will especially focus on Louisiana Creole. We also broach important theoretical debates concerning creoles as a linguistic type, the creole continuum, and the concept of de-creolization. Finally, we attempt to answer the perennial question: What is a creole? The answer is at least as much anthropological as it is linguistic. Familiarity with French, though not required, will be useful. This course fulfills the Structure requirement for Linguistics majors and counts as a Linguistics requirement for Cognitive Science majors.
ANTH 3541 Topics in Linguistics: Ritual Speech and Verbal Art
TR 11-12:15
Bania Sinai Garcia Sanchez
This course focuses on ritual speech understanding as speech distinctively characteristic of ritual. These speeches center on different ceremonial events in distinct traditions. Some examples of these ritual speeches are weddings speeches, passage rituals, storytelling, etc. The goal of this course is to develop an understanding of Ritual Speech genres and that students will become familiar with the theoretical readings about linguistics and ethnography areas.
ANTH 5401 Linguistic Field Methods
TH 5-7:30
Armik Mirzayan
Investigates the grammatical structure of non-European language on the basis of data collected in class from a native speaker. A different language is the focus of study each year.
ANTH 5425 Language Contact
W 2-4:30
Nathan Wendte
Considers how languages change as part of social systems and affected by historical processes. We will contrast language change through internal processes of drift and regular sound change with contact-induced language change involving multilingualism and code switching, language shift and lexical borrowing, the emergence of pidgin, creole, and intertwined languages, language endangerment, and computational tools for historical linguistics.
ANTH 5440 Morphology
TR 2-3:15
Lise Dobrin
In this course we approach the study of morphology theoretically. The issues covered fall mainly into two broad groupings: those that relate word structure to phonology (e.g., allomorphy and word formation), and those that relate it to syntax (e.g., inflection, distinguishing compounds from phrases). Throughout the course we will be mindful of whether there exists a core set of phenomena having to do with word structure which motivates a distinct morphological component of grammar. Coursework involves biweekly problem sets and active participation in class problem solving and discussion. Some familiarity with linguistic analysis (such as LNGS 3250) is strongly recommended. Course fulfills the Theory requirement for Linguistics.
ANTH 5485 Discourse Analysis
W 5-7:30
Eve Danziger
Discourse analysis looks at the patterns in language and language-use above the level of sentence grammar and seeks to apply the micro-level analysis of communicative interactions to understanding the macro-level processes of social and cultural reproduction. Topics include: symbolic interactionism, conversation analysis, critical discourse analysis, interactional sociolinguistics, discourse prosody, and digital analysis techniques.
ASL 3450 Comparative Linguistics: ASL and English
MWF 10-10:50
Rhonda Jennings-Arey
Describes spoken English and ASL (American Sign Language) on five levels: phonological, morphological, lexical, syntactic, and discourse and compares/contrasts them using real-world examples. Describes major linguistic components and processes of English and ASL. Introduces basic theories regarding ASL structure. Emphasizes ASL's status as a natural language by comparing/contrasting similarities and unique differences between the two languages. Fulfills the Structure requirement for the Linguistics major.
EDHS 4300/LING 7300 Psycholinguistics & Communication
TR 5-6:15
Filip Loncke
This course focuses on the psychological processes that underlie the acquisition and the use of language. There is an emphasis on the interaction between linguistic skills and other cognitive skills. Topics include learnability, microgenesis of speech, bilingualism and variation, and a psycholinguistic approach to breakdowns (i.e., language pathology).
EDHS 4310 Exploring Linguistic Diversity
M 3:30-6
Filip Loncke
Students in this course will explore language variation within and between languages. The course will use the students’ personal experience and perceptions as a starting point to interpret and understand theories. The course will introduce central concepts such as language contact, language dominance, language policies, creolization, bilingualism, language diversification, language dispersal, dialect, idiolect, and sociolect. Most importantly the course will lead the students to identify and observe these dynamic linguistic forces in their own environment, in their communities, and in the wider world. The course will include a focus on policies that can influence linguistic variation.
EDIS 7842 Teaching ELLs: Theory, Policy & Practice
April Salerno
This course is designed to provide you with an overview to key issues related to the education of linguistic minorities (labeled "English Language Learners," or "ELLs") in K-12 settings in the United States. We will explore second language acquisition theory, language policy, pedagogical approaches, and the practices of ELLs and their teachers. Prerequisite: Curry Graduate
ENGL 5100 Introduction to Old English
TR 3:30-4:45
Studies the language and literature of Anglo-Saxon England. For more details on this class, please visit the department website at http://www.engl.virginia.edu/courses.
LING 3101/5101 ESL Teaching Practicum: Language
F 3-3:50
Janay Crabtree
Through this course, students focus on teaching oral English as another language, while gaining experience in the practice of English-language teaching to international students, faculty, and staff at the University. This is an excellent opportunity to gain teaching experience under the supervision of an experienced mentor. For every 1 hour of credit, students must meet with an instructor for 5 classroom & practice 33 hours.
LING 3102/5102 ESL Teaching Practicum: Culture
F 4-4:50
Janay Crabtree
Through this course, students focus on culture in ESL, while gaining experience in the practice of English-language teaching to international students, faculty, and staff at the University. This is an excellent opportunity to gain teaching experience under the supervision of an experienced mentor. For every 1 hour of credit, students must meet with an instructor for 5 classroom & practice 33 hours
LING 3103/5103 ESL Teaching Practicum: Writing
F 5-5:50
Janay Crabtree
Through this course, students focus on the topic of writing in an L2, while gaining experience in the practice of English-language teaching to international students, faculty, and staff at the University. This experience is an excellent opportunity to gain teaching experience under the supervision of an experienced mentor.
LING 3400/7400 Structure of English
MW 1-1:50 + obligatory discussion section
Janay Crabtree
In this community engaged course, UVA students work online with Virginia high school students while learning about descriptive grammar and methods of reasoning about linguistic structure. Students will analyze problem sets and data of world languages to compare and contrast to English language structures. This course covers units of sound and phonemic transcriptions, word building/morphology and inflectional forms, lexical categories, basic sentence types, common phrase and clause patterns, and syntactic transformations. In exploring structures, students (in groups) will take one aspect of English and research a question for a presentation geared toward VA high-school students who may never have heard about linguistics. These research explorations include structure of English phonology, morphology, and syntax, with a focus on structural analysis and use of evidence. Students must be available one Saturday in November to participate in a community-engaged activity with high school students as well as work in research groups and present as a group on that Saturday. This course fulfills the structure requirement for Linguistics majors and graduate students and the Ling 3400 requirement for the TESOL Certificate.
LING 3559/6559 New Course in Linguistics: Introduction to Semantics and Pragmatics
MW 2-3:15
Armik Mirzayan
This course looks closely and critically at theories that ask what kinds of categories words and constructions denote (semantics) and theories that ask how linguistic form is related to conversational context (pragmatics). Using elicited data and contextual/natural phrases and sentences, we will attempt to generalize about the cues and information that humans use to construct meaning as they speak. Course fulfills the Theory requirement for Linguistics.
LNGS 3250/7010 Introduction to Linguistic Theory and Analysis
MWF 11-11:50
Mark Elson
Introduces sign systems, language as a sign system, and approaches to linguistics description. Emphasizes the application of descriptive techniques to data.
LNGS 3500/7500 Topics in Linguistics: Second Language Instruction and Learning
MW 8:30-9:45
Mark Elson
This course provides L2 instructors with background relating to the nature of Communicative Competence (i.e., the goal of L2 instruction) and its development in the L2 classroom, and in that context considers the role of the instructor, the role of native speakers, the relevance of linguistic principles, the relevance of contrastive analysis, and the difference between pedagogy and methodology.
SPAN 3000 Phonetics
TR 2-3:15
Omar Velázquez-Mendoza
An introduction to the sound system of both Peninsular & Latin Am Spanish. Class discussions focus on how the sounds of Spanish are produced from an articulatory point of view, and how these sounds are organized & represented in the linguistic competence of their speakers. When appropriate, comparisons will be made between Spanish & English or Spanish & other (Romance & non-Romance) languages. Course seeks to improve the student's pronunciation.
SPAN 4203 Structure of Spanish
MW 3:30-4:45
Joel Rini
This is an advanced introduction to the study of fundamental aspects of the sound and grammatical systems of the Spanish language. The course will start by analyzing present-day (syllable, word and phrase) structures of the language and it will progress toward a more detailed examination of some of the linguistic processes and changes involved in the development of those structures. Prior coursework in linguistics is expected. Pre-requisites: SPAN 3015 Phonetics and SPAN 3200 Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics.
SPAN 4530-01 Understanding the Forms of Spanish
MW 2-3:15
Joel Rini
The students will carry out with the professor an in-depth analysis of the morphological system of Spanish from a historical perspective. Various areas of this linguistic system will receive special attention, with the purpose of offering the students a better understanding of why Spanish exhibits the forms of the language that it does. Prerequisite: SPAN 3010 and 3300, or departmental placement; instructor permission.