Instructor Class Description

Time Schedule:

• Spring Quarter 2012
• Summer Quarter 2012
• Autumn Quarter 2012

Barbara Citko
LING 480
Seattle Campus

Topics in Linguistics

Introduction to an area of linguistic study not covered by the regular departmental course offerings.

Class description

LING 480 Topics in Linguistics: Language Universals

This course will be an introduction to universal grammar, language universals, and linguistic typology. It will explore in detail the following issues:

· what counts as a possible (and impossible) human language?

· what is universal to all languages?

· what is subject to crosslinguistic variation?

· how can we explain the patterns of variation found in the world’s languages?

· how can we explain the lack of certain linguistic patterns or certain language types?

Requirements: thoughtful completion of reading and homework assignments, and a short term paper on a topic related to the course.

Textbook: Comrie, Bernard (1989). Language universals and linguistic typology: Syntax and morphology (2nd edition). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Student learning goals

General method of instruction

Recommended preparation

Introduction to Linguistics (or the equivalent)

Class assignments and grading

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Modified:May 9, 2012