Linguistics and Cognitive Science Courses

A LIN 100 Understanding Language (3)
General introduction to all aspects of the nature and use of language. Language acquisition, language loss, language change, language in society. Films and television documentaries augmented by readings and written exercises. May not be offered in 2009-2010.

A LIN 216 (= A ENG 216) Traditional Grammar and Usage (3)
Thorough coverage of traditional grammar and usage with an introduction to the principles of structural and transformational grammar. Brief exploration into recent advances in linguistic thought. Practice in stylistic analysis using such grammatical elements as syntax, voice, subordination and sentence structure.

A LIN 220 (= A ANT 220 & A ENG 217) Introduction to Linguistics (3)
Introduction to the study of language, including examination of the characteristics and structural principles of natural language. After exploring the basic characteristics of sound, word formation and sentence structure, these principles are applied to such topics as: language variation, language change, psycholinguistics, pragmatics, and animal communication. Only one version of A LIN 220 may be taken for credit.

A LIN 289 Directed Study in Foreign Language (4)
Study of a foreign language not regularly taught at the University; independent work with the guidance of a faculty member using recordings and other material; meetings with native speakers when possible. A limited number of languages may be offered in any one year. May be repeated for a different language or for more advanced study in the same language. Prerequisite(s): permission of undergraduate adviser.

A LIN 301 (= A PHI 301 & A PSY 301) Introduction to Cognitive Science (3)
Cognitive science investigates the nature of the human mind and cuts across several disciplines (e.g., psychology, computer science, philosophy, linguistics). This course examines the approaches these disciplines use to promote our understanding of various mental phenomena (e.g., perceiving, reasoning, production and comprehension of language, memory.) Only one version of A LIN 301 may be taken for credit. May not be offered in 2009-2010.

A LIN 321 (= A ANT 321) Introduction to Syntax (3)
The human ability to produce and understand an infinite number of different sentences is one of the most remarkable capabilities we have. The study of the structure of sentences is called syntax, and this course is an introduction to syntactic theory. The particular approach we will be pursuing is called generative grammar, the approach to syntax pioneered by linguists such as Noam Chomsky. Chomsky argues that all humans are born with an unconscious knowledge of Universal Grammar, the basis on which the grammars of all languages are built. Through a detailed examination of English sentence structure, we will investigate the connections between English syntax and Universal Grammar. Only one version of A LIN 321 may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): A LIN 220 or permission of instructor.

A LIN 322 (= A ANT 322) Introduction to Phonology (3)
Introduction to the description and analysis of human speech sounds and their organization. Introduction to articulatory phonetics and the International Phonetic Alphabet followed by examination and generative phonological analysis of data from English and a wide range of other languages. Only one version of A LIN 322 may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): A LIN 220 or permission of instructor.

A LIN 325 (= A ANT 325) Sociolinguistics (3)
Introduction to the study of language as a social phenomenon. Includes basic sociolinguistic concepts, interactional sociolinguistics, social dialects, black English, diglossia, bilingualism and bilingual education. Only one version of A LIN 325 may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): A LIN 220 or permission of instructor.

A LIN 326Z Writing, Reading, and Language (3)
This course will explore patterns of language in effective writing and draw on linguistic approaches—such as corpus grammars, systemic functional linguistics, and cognitive linguistics—that seem useful in reading, writing, teaching, and editing. We will look at traditional grammar and weigh its strengths and weaknesses. We will consider what knowledge about language is most helpful in mastering writing conventions, in understanding effective rhetorical choice, in critical reading, and in meeting the demands of technical texts and academic registers. We will look closely at the relationship between language and genre. In writing projects, students will explore their own language worlds and literacy goals, write reflectively about issues that come up in class, and have an opportunity, in a larger research project, to follow their own interests.

A LIN 421Z (= A ANT 421Z) Advanced Syntax (3)
This course continues the investigation of the relationship between the grammars of particular languages and Universal Grammar. We will examine the syntax of several languages from around the world asking ourselves the following questions: a.) How do the principles that organize the grammars of other languages around the world compare to English? b.) What grammatical properties are true for all languages? We will discuss the answers to these questions in the light of generative grammar. Only one version of A LIN 421Z may be taken for credit. The former A LIN 421 & A ANT 421 do not yield writing intensive credit. Prerequisite(s): A LIN 321 with grade of C or higher.

A LIN 422 (= A ANT 422) Advanced Phonology (3)
Advanced studies in generative phonological theory, with a focus on the analysis of prosodic phenomena such as stress, tone, and accent. Discussion of recent theoretical trends in phonology. Only one version of A LIN 422 may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): A LIN 322 with grade of C or higher. May not be offered in 2009-2010.

A LIN 423 (= A ANT 423) Linguistic Structures (3)
Investigation of the structure of a selected language, language family, or language area; may be repeated for credit when content varies. Prerequisite(s): A LIN 321 or 322 or permission of instructor.

A LIN 425 (= A ANT 425) Comparative and Historical Linguistics (3)
Language development and change. Language classification, linguistic reconstruction. Prerequisite(s): A LIN 322.

A LIN 429 Field Methods in Anthropological Linguistics (4)
An introduction to the techniques of collecting and analyzing primary linguistic data from native speakers, taught through intensive examination of a selected language; may be repeated for credit with change in language. Prerequisite(s): A LIN 321 or 322 or permission of instructor.

A LIN 495 Honors Thesis (3)
Students in the honors program should enroll in A LIN 495 during one semester of their senior year. Students will write a major paper under the supervision of a faculty member in the Program in Linguistics and Cognitive Science, and deliver an oral presentation of their research. Prerequisite(s): admission to the honors program in Linguistics.

A LIN 497 Independent Study in Linguistics (1–6)
Independent reading or research on a selected topic in linguistics, under the direction of a faculty member. Normally taken for 3 credits, but if the nature of the project warrants it, as many as 6 credits may be earned in one term; may be taken a second time, with approval, for a maximum total of 12 credits. Prerequisite(s): a 300 level course from the list of courses approved for the linguistics major; permission of instructor and director of linguistics program.

A LIN 499 Seminar on Topics in Linguistics (3)
Seminar on selected topics in linguistic theory and methodology, chosen on the basis of current interest; may be repeated for credit when content varies. Prerequisite(s): varies with topic, usually a 300 level linguistics course: permission of instructor.