ALIN 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.
ALIN 111 Elementary American Sign Language I (4)
The course is designed for beginners in the study of American Sign Language. Course introduces students to the processes and structure of the language and provides the basic skills necessary to use the language. Students' expressive (signing) and receptive (comprehension) skills are enhanced by an understanding of ASL grammar, the history of ASL and the Deaf Community in the United States, and of Deaf Culture. This class will be taught primarily in ASL. Does not count toward the 36 credit requirement for the major. May not be taken for credit by students who have taken three years of high school ASL.
ALIN 200 (= AENG 200) Structure of English Words (3)
Introduction to the structure of English words, including the most common Greek and Latin base forms, and the way in which related words are derived. Students may expect to achieve a significant enrichment in their own vocabulary, while learning about the etymology, semantic change and rules of English word formation.
ALIN 212 (= AAFS 212 & AANT 212) African American English (3)
This course provides an overview of the study of linguistics through the specific lens of African American English (AAE). With an estimated 30 million speakers, AAE is a major variety of American English that is rule-governed and complex; however, it continues to be plagued by social stigma in many arenas. This course focuses on AAE's distinctive features in the areas of sound and sentence structure, as well as topics in linguistic anthropology and applied linguistics, e.g., the impact of language ideology on AAE speaking communities. Only one version may be taken for credit.
ALIN 216 (= AENG 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.
ALIN 220 (= AANT 220) 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 ALIN 220 may be taken for credit.
ALIN 289 Directed Study in Foreign Language (3-4)
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. Does not count toward the 36 credit requirement for the major. Prerequisite(s): permission of undergraduate advisor.
ALIN 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).
ALIN 321 (= AANT 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 ALIN 321 may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): ALIN 220 or permission of instructor.
ALIN 322 (= AANT 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 ALIN 322 may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): ALIN 220 or permission of instructor.
ALIN 325 (= AANT 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 ALIN 325 may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): ALIN 220 or permission of instructor.
ALIN 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.
ALIN 421 (= AANT 421) 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. Prerequisite(s): ALIN 321 with grade of C or higher.
ALIN 422 (= AANT 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 ALIN 422 may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): ALIN 322 with grade of C or higher.
ALIN 423 (= AANT 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): ALIN 321 or 322 or permission of instructor.
ALIN 424 (= AANT 424) Language and Culture (3)
This course focuses on the major concepts in linguistic anthropology, which is a subfield of linguistics that examines the relationships between linguistic and cultural structures and practices. Topics include discussion of how language influences cultural concepts and the way humans think about the world, and how our cultural concepts are reflected in the way a given speech community uses language. Only one version of AANT/ALIN 424 may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): AANT/ALIN 220 or permission of instructor.
ALIN 425 (= AANT 425) Comparative and Historical Linguistics (3)
Language development and change. Language classification, linguistic reconstruction. Prerequisite(s): ALIN 322.
ALIN 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): ALIN 321 or 322 or permission of instructor.
ALIN 445 (=AANT 445) Acoustic and Articulatory Phonetics (3)
Articulatory and acoustic phonetics explores the sounds of human language, focusing on how speech is articulated in the vocal tract and how it is transmitted as sound waves. Students study the physiological mechanisms involved in speech production, including the movements of the tongue, lips, and vocal cords. The course also examines the acoustic properties of speech sounds, such as frequency, intensity, and duration, and how they relate to speech perception. Through practical exercises and analysis, students will develop a deeper understanding of the connection between speech production and sound patterns.
ALIN 463 (=AANT 463) Introduction to Communication Disorders
This course is designed to introduce you to concepts regarding communication and communication disorders. It can be the beginning of your path to become a speech language pathologist or audiologist, or it can simply educate you on individuals, possibly even those in your own family or social networks, who might have a communication disorder. If you decide to pursue further education in a communication disorders major, this syllabus can be valuable to give you proof of the learning standards embedded in this course. This course addresses the American Speech Language & Hearing Association (ASHA) standards listed below. This course is designed to provide students with information regarding communication disorders across the lifespan. Students will be exposed to clinical problem-solving activities during quizzes, discussion and project assignments. Only one version AANT/ALIN 463 can be taken for credit.
ALIN 495 Honors Thesis (3)
Students in the honors program should enroll in ALIN 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.
ALIN 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.
ALIN 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.