ANTH 2450 | Language and Environment

TR 2:00-2:50 + obligatory discussion section

Nathan Wendte

In this course, students rethink assumptions about what "language" and "environment" are. Both depend on living systems to be rendered meaningful, and together we will wrestle with how these two ideas can be brought into relation and the implications associated with different frames of understanding. There are many perspectives on the issues raised in this course, and you will receive a broad introduction to that diversity. Fulfills an elective for the Linguistics BA

ANTH 2541| Topics in Linguistics: French Creole Language Structures

TR 9:30-10:45

Nathan Wendte

In this course, we will be looking at a subset of creole languages—those whose vocabularies derive primarily from French—and examining their similarities and differences in terms of phonology, morphology, syntax, and lexicon. In doing so, we will also touch on the unique historical circumstances that gave rise to each of these French creoles and what their use is like today. There will be a special emphasis on Louisiana Creole. You will also get a taste of some of the controversies that surround the study of creole languages. This course will give you a broad overview of French creole-speaking societies and enable you to describe language structures common to French creoles. Familiarity with French, though not required, will be useful. Structure Requirement for Linguistics BA

ANTH 4420/7420 | Theories of Language 

R 3:30-4:45

Mark Sicoli

There is more involved in “learning a language” than acquiring knowledge of its grammatical structures; one also becomes an appropriate and skillful user of language as one is socialized, through communicative encounters with others, into becoming a competent member of a speech community. This course explores the topic of language socialization to reveal how language use at every level—from sound patterns to lexical choices to conversational routines—can contribute to learners’ understandings of what speech is and how it functions. At the same time, socializing encounters shape learners’ understandings of who they are and how they should act or feel, thereby serving as a locus for the transmission of culture. Readings will be drawn from diverse settings and regions of the world. Special attention will be given to language shift and other situations of social change and disjuncture. Course work will involve keeping up with the readings, participating in class discussion, and writing a paper on an individual topic of interest chosen in consultation with the instructor. Linguistics Elective.

ANTH 5541 | Theory and Practice of Language Documentation

MW 3:30-4:45

Lise Dobrin

There is more involved in “learning a language” than acquiring knowledge of its grammatical structures; one also becomes an appropriate and skillful user of language as one is socialized, through communicative encounters with others, into becoming a competent member of a speech community. This course explores the topic of language socialization to reveal how language use at every level—from sound patterns to lexical choices to conversational routines—can contribute to learners’ understandings of what speech is and how it functions. At the same time, socializing encounters shape learners’ understandings of who they are and how they should act or feel, thereby serving as a locus for the transmission of culture. Readings will be drawn from diverse settings and regions of the world. Special attention will be given to language shift and other situations of social change and disjuncture. Course work will involve keeping up with the readings, participating in class discussion, and writing a paper on an individual topic of interest chosen in consultation with the instructor. Linguistics Elective.

EDHS 4030 | Speech and Hearing Science

TR 5:00pm - 6:15pm

Filip Loncke

The course examines principal concepts and procedures for the study of physiologic, perceptual and acoustic aspects of voice, speech and hearing. The course leads the student into the fascinating world of new applications in daily life, in business, and especially in education and clinical work.

At the end of the course, the student will be able to (1) Explain the nature and propagation of sound in terms of its quantifiable parameters, types, and visual representations, (2) Describe the acoustics of vocal registers, vowels, consonants, and supra-segmentals in normal speech production, (3) Explain the psychoacoustics of normal auditory sensitivity and differential sensitivity, (4) Identify the acoustic cues sufficient and necessary for the perception of speech, and (5) Measure and determine acoustic characteristics as expression of gender, culture, and identity. Linguistics Elective.

EDHS 4030 | Speech and Hearing Science

TR 5:00-6:15

Filip Loncke

The course examines principal concepts and procedures for the study of physiologic, perceptual and acoustic aspects of voice, speech and hearing. The course leads the student into the fascinating world of new applications in daily life, in business, and especially in education and clinical work.

At the end of the course, the student will be able to (1) Explain the nature and propagation of sound in terms of its quantifiable parameters, types, and visual representations, (2) Describe the acoustics of vocal registers, vowels, consonants, and supra-segmentals in normal speech production, (3) Explain the psychoacoustics of normal auditory sensitivity and differential sensitivity, (4) Identify the acoustic cues sufficient and necessary for the perception of speech, and (5) Measure and determine acoustic characteristics as expression of gender, culture, and identity. Linguistics Elective.

ENGL 3025 | African American English

TR 11-12:15

Connie Smith

This course examines the communicative practices of African American Vernacular English (AAEV) to explore how a marginalized language dynamic has made major transitions into American mainstream discourse. AAEV is no longer solely the informal speech of many African Americans; it is the way Americans speak. Linguistics Elective.

ENGL 5510 | Old Norse Language and Literature

TuTh 9:30am - 10:45am

Stephen Hopkins

This course provides an introduction to the language and literature of medieval Iceland (also called Old Norse or Old Icelandic, roughly 800-1400 CE), and the goal is to arrive at a sound reading knowledge of the Old Norse language. Drawing upon Byock’s textbook, Viking Language, the first half of the semester focuses on internalizing the basics of Old Norse grammar and vocabulary. While acquiring these rudimentary linguistic skills, we will practice translating bits of prose and poetry (The Prose Edda, Egils Saga, et al.) as supplied in the textbook. After midterms, we will translate The Tale of Thorsteinn Staff-Struck. The course will also include secondary readings to orient us towards Old Norse genres, contexts, and critical/theoretical approaches prevalent in the field today, with an emphasis on the history of the conversion and the importation of writing technologies (i.e., basic paleography).

FREN 3030 | French Phonetics

TuTh 9:30am - 10:45am

Cécile Rey

Reviews pronunciation, phonetics, and phonology for undergraduates. Prerequisite: FREN 2020 or equivalent.. Linguistics Elective. 

LING 2430| Languages of the World

TR 5:00-5:50 + obilgatory discussion section

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. Linguistics Elective. Prerequisite: One year of a foreign language or permission of instructor. Fulfills Cognitive Science Linguistics Area requirement.

LING 3090/5090 | TESOL Theory and Method

TR 2:00-3:15

Janay Crabtree

This course provides an introduction to theories of second language acquisition (SLA), as well as methods and materials for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), particularly adult language learners. Students will be required to investigate current issues in the field of TESOL and SLA to then extend and apply the knowledge to language learning observations and/or volunteer tutoring experiences. Demonstration of mastery of teaching methodology will be through development of materials or a learning tool for language learners dictated by student goals and interests. Students will be required to present this tool or course material in class. Recommended pre-/co-requisite: LNGS 3250 & LING 3400. These courses are not required, but they are recommended for students to have requisite background knowledge. Counts three credits toward the TESOL Certificate. Linguistics Elective.

LING 3101/5101 | ESL Teaching Practicum: Language

F 3:00-3:50

Janay Crabtree

Through this 1-credit course, students focus on the topic of language 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. 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 4:00-4:50

Janay Crabtree

Through this 1-credit course, students focus on the topic of culture in ESL, 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. 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 5:00-5:50

Janay Crabtree

Through this 1-credit 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. For every 1 hour of credit, students must meet with an instructor for 5 classroom & practice 33 hours.

LING 5401 | Linguistic Field Methods

W 5:00-7:30

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. Fulfills Structure Requirement for Linguistics MA and BA.

LING 5409 | Acoustic Phonetics

TR 11:00-12:15

Armik Mirzayan

To acquire a good understanding of speech sounds, we must understand how speech sounds are produced, the physical nature of the sounds, and how the ear and brain work to recognize sounds as carriers of meaning distinguishing units in speech. In this course we investigate these processes by focusing on three broad questions: (1) How do we produce speech in communication? (2) How do we perceive speech in communication? and (3) How does the nature of these processes influence the sound patterns of languages in the world? In the process of doing so will also be learning experimental and analytical techniques that enable us to carefully investigate these (and other related) questions. Linguistics Elective.

LNGS 3260/7020 | Introduction to Comparative-Historical Linguistics

MW 2:00-3:15

Mark Elson

An introduction to the nature and causation of variation in linguistic systems over time, with attention to the comparative and internal reconstruction of systems no longer attested but assumed to have existed. Prerequisite LNGS 3250/7010 or Instructor Permission. Fulfills the Historical requirement for Linguistics majors/minors and graduate students.

PSYC 4110 | Psycholinguistics

M 3:30-6:00

Filip Loncke

This seminar 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. The course also looks at flexibility of language and language use, and the influence of psycholinguistic processes on reading and writing, the social use of language, and language in other modalities. There will be a focus on learnability and teachability issues. Linguistics Elective

SPAN 3000 | Spanish Phonetics

TR 3:30pm - 4:45pm

Joel Rini

Spanish Phonetics provides an introduction to the sound system of both Peninsular and Latin American Spanish. Class discussions focus on how the sounds of Spanish are produced from an articulatory point of view, and how these sounds are organized and represented in the linguistic competence of their speakers. When appropriate, comparisons will be made between Spanish and English or Spanish and other (Romance and non-Romance) languages. This course seeks to improve the student’s pronunciation. Prerequisite: SPAN 3010 or equivalent. Conducted in Spanish. Linguistics Elective.

SPAN 3200 | Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics

TR 5:00-6:15

Lorena Albert Ferrando

This course provides an introduction to core areas of linguistic analysis using Spanish. Areas covered include sounds of Spanish (phonetics & phonology), word formation (morphology), sentence structure (syntax), meaning of words, phrases, sentences, & larger chunks of discourse, also in social context (semantics & pragmatics), history of the Spanish language, regional & social variation (dialectology & sociolinguistics), & language acquisition. Linguistics Elective.

SPAN 4203 | History of the Spanish Language II

MW 3:30pm - 4:45pm 

Omar Velázquez-Mendoza 

The course examines the development of the Spanish language through texts produced from the Middle Ages to the present day. The main goal will be the interpretation of individual texts as a source of linguistic data and the analysis of language in its cultural, social and historical context. Including texts from Latin American and Spain, the commentary will cover the analysis of phonological, grammatical and lexical aspects. Prerequisites: SPAN 3000 or SPAN 3200. Linguistics Elective

SPAN 4530 | Special Topics Seminar: Untaming Spanish: Language, Power, and Identity

TR 3:30-4:45

Lorena Albert Ferrando

The goal of this course is to critically examine how language and systemic power relations are co-naturalized and how this linkage is constructed, manifested, and underpinned in our everyday language use and identity, as well as in our perception of other groups and speakers. We will focus on Spanish language environments (and in the US in particular) but the contents of the course are applicable to other languages and settings Conducted in Spanish. Linguistics Elective.

 

SPAN 7220 | History of the Spanish Language

MW 2:00-3:15

Omar Velázquez-Mendoza 

This course traces the historical development of the Spanish language (mainly) from its origins as a spoken Latin variety to the present. Topics include: The relationship between language change and language variation; the Indo-European language family; Romanization of the Iberian Peninsula; Classical vs. 'Vulgar' Latin; influence from Germanic and Arabic on the Spanish language; Latin and Medieval Spanish word order; Latin/Romance Diglossia during the High Middle Ages; Expressions of possession in Medieval Spanish; Direct object marking in Old Spanish; New World Spanish. No previous coursework in linguistics is required. Conducted in Spanish. Fulfills Linguistics Historical Requirement.