Time Schedule:
Laura Wilbur Mcgarrity
LING 200
Seattle Campus
Language as the fundamental characteristic of the human species; diversity and complexity of human languages; phonological and grammatical analysis; dimensions of language use; language and writing; impact of historical linguistics on contemporary theory. Not open for credit to students who have completed LING 201.
Class description
(For Autumn 2009): This course will introduce you to the field of linguistics, the scientific study and analysis of human language. The central goal of this course is to develop and understanding of what language is, how it is structured, and how it is represented in the mind. In this course, you will learn both about the diversity of human language as well as some of its universal characteristics.
The first half of the course will be devoted to surveying some of the core subfields of linguistics: phonetics (the study of the perception/production of speech sounds), phonology (the study of sound systems and patterns), morphology (the study of word formation and structure), and syntax (the study of sentence structure). In the latter part of the course, we will take and interdisciplinary approach to studying language and how it relates to other fields such as psychology, neurology, sociology, and the speech and hearing sciences.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Recommended preparation
Required textbook: Bergmann, A., Hall, K., and Ross, M., eds. (2007) Language Files: Materials for an introduction to language and linguistics (10th ed.). Columbus: Ohio State University Press.
Class assignments and grading
1. Exams (55% of course grade)
There will be two exams. The first is a midterm exam (25% of grade) and will cover the topics of the first five weeks of class. The second and final exam (30% of grade) is cumulative, covering material from the entire course.
2. Homeworks (25% of course grade)
Approximately every week (except exam weeks), you will be assigned a homework assignment, which will be due the following week in section. These assignments will test your knowledge and skills of that week's topic. Your grades on these homework assignments (minus your lowest grade, which will be dropped) will combine to make up 25% of your course grade.
3. Quizzes (15% of course grade)
Throughout the quarter, a series of quizzes will test your knowledge of the readings, lecture content, and class discussions. Your grades on these quizzes (minus your lowest grade, which will be dropped) will combine to make up 15% of your course grade.
4. Participation (10% of course grade)
Although attendance is not specifically required, participation is. Your class participation grade will be calculated based on your informed contribution to class discussions and participation in class activities.
