Linguistics: Introduction to Linguistics

Introduction to biological, cognitive, and cultural bases of human communication through language, and to modern linguistic theory. Assignments provide opportunities for critical thinking and writing.

Open to degree and PACE students

This course provides an introduction to the primary areas of linguistic study: phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics. We will also explore some of the more specialized areas of research within the field, including language variation, sociolinguistics, language and culture, language contact, and psycholinguistics.

With consistent, hard work in the course, you should be able to: -Recognize and challenge common myths about language -Understand the three primary types of linguistic signs and identify them by example -Explain key similarities and differences between (non-human) animal communication systems and human language -Identify the defining characteristics of human language -Distinguish between levels of language, including phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics -Determine which level of language is relevant to a particular linguistic example or dataset -Perform basic linguistic analyses both within and across levels of language -Apply a more specialized lens to the study of language, especially language variation, sociolinguistics, and psycholinguistics -Analyze examples of linguistic diversity both language-internally and cross-linguistically -Reflect on the relationship between language and identity, including your unique contribution to the linguistic diversity of our community Other, related S1 goals follow: -Be able to draw on course topics, materials, and activities to describe how individuals, groups or institutions affect and interact with each other -Be able to identify and demonstrate understanding of theories of human behavior, experience, institutions, or social systems addressed in the course -Recognize and evaluate methods and processes of systematic investigation in one or more applied examples of social science research

Quizzes: 50% Homework/Class activities: 30% Linguistic Autobiography: 20%