Linguistics
Linguistics
This is a listing of all the courses in the Linguistics curriculum. For a more succinct list that highlights courses available this Fall, please see FL2009.
Language is one of the fundamental capacities of the human species, and there are many interesting and meaningful ways in which it can be studied. This course explores the core components of linguistic theory: speech sounds (phonetics and phonology), word formation (morphology), sentence structure (syntax), and meaning (semantics). It also provides an overview of interdisciplinary ideas and research on how language is acquired and processed, its relation to the mind−brain and to society, and the question of whether the essential properties of language can be replicated outside the human mind (specifically, in chimpanzees or computer programs). Acadinfo.wustl.
Taught every fall and spring semester. Recent syllabi:
The ability to produce and understand an infinite number of sentences is perhaps the most fascinating aspect of the human language faculty. Syntax is the study of how the brain organizes sentences from smaller phrases and words. This course explores syntactic analysis from several perspectives within generative linguistics, focusing primarily on the Government and Binding framework but also introducing Minimalist and Optimality Theoretic approaches. Topics to be discussed include phrase structure, transformations, case theory, thematic roles, and anaphora. Assignments will help students learn to construct and compare analyses of syntactic problems in English and other languages. Prerequisite: Ling 170D or 440 or permission of instructor. Acadinfo.wustl.
Taught SP2009 and approximately every 2 years. Recent syllabi:
Semantics is the branch of linguistics which studies how speakers assign meaning to words, sentences, and larger units of discourse. We will combine perspectives from both linguistics and philosophy to explore a variety of topics including polysemy, compositionality, quantification, anaphora, definite descriptions, attitude reports, presupposition, and implicature. Prerequisite: Ling 170D or Phil 301G or permission of instructor. Acadinfo.wustl.
Taught approximately every 2 years.
Phonetics is the study of the sounds of the languages of the world. The primary goal of the course is to learn how speech sounds are produced, so that the student can describe them in articulatory terms, write them out in a standard notational system, and produce them accurately. Other topics include a basic introduction to the acoustics of speech and the use of personal computers to display, analyze, and synthesize human speech. The course should prove useful to students desiring a deeper understanding of one of the fundamental underpinnings of linguistics, but also has practical applications in such fields as foreign language learning and the appreciation and acquisition of new dialects and accents. Prerequisite: Ling 170D or permission of instructor. Acadinfo.wustl.
Taught SP2009 and approximately every 2 years. Recent syllabi:
There are several important abilities involved in the use of human language, one of these being the ability to organize speech sounds. The system that the brain uses to accomplish this task is the subject matter of phonology. This course will explore phonology from several perspectives within generative linguistics, including both traditional rule-based and current Optimality Theoretic approaches. Topics to be discussed include phonological features, lexical phonology, prosodic morphology, tone, and metrical stress. Assignments will help students learn to analyze phonological problems in a variety of languages and to evaluate the consequences of using different analytic approaches. Prerequisite: Ling 170D or 440 or permission of instructor. Acadinfo.wustl.
Taught FL2009 and approximately every 2 years.
Use of computers to analyze, understand, and generate human language. Emphasis on appreciating practical applications such as text analysis, search and creation of dictionaries and corpora, information retrieval, machine translation, and speech interfaces. Survey of rule-based and statistical techniques. Students will acquire programming skills appropriate for solving small- to medium-scale problems in linguistics and text processing, using a language such as Perl or Java. Students will have regular programming assignments and will complete a semester project. No previous knowledge of programming required. Prerequisite: L44 Ling 170D or permission of instructor. Acadinfo.wustl.
Taught FL2008 and approximately every 2 years.
Historical linguistics focuses on how languages change over time. Comparative linguistics focuses on their similarities and differences. In this course we will trace some of the differences and changes in sound (phonetics and phonology) word formation (morphology), sentence structure (syntax), and meaning (semantics). Topics include linguistic universals, the structural and genetic classification of languages, the techniques of reconstructing proto-languages, and the causes of language change. Examples from Indo-European languages (for example, Greek, English, and Spanish) and from Native American languages (for example, Quechua, Mayan) will be emphasized. Prerequisite: Ling 170D or permission of instructor. Acadinfo.wustl.
Taught approximately every 2 years.
Readings on a selected topic in theoretical linguistics with an emphasis on discussion, presentation, and writing. Prerequisite: varies with topic.Acadinfo.wustl.
There are many ways in which a second language can be learned: from infancy as the child of bilingual parents, or later through formal instruction, immersion in a new culture, or in a particular work or social situation. This class is an inquiry into the processes by which acquisition occurs. Topics include the nature of language learning within the scope of other types of human learning; the relationship between first and second language acquisition; the role of linguistic, cognitive, and sociocultural factors; insights gained from analyzing learners’ errors; key concepts such as interlanguage and communicative competence; bilingualism; the optimal age for second language acquisition; and a critical appraisal of different theories of second language acquisition. Both theoretical and instructional implications of second language acquisition research are considered. This course can be used towards certification in TESOL and is a required course for the Graduate Certificate in Language Instruction. Prerequisite: Ling 170D or equivalent is recommended, especially for undergraduates, but is not required. Acadinfo.wustl.
Taught FL2009 and once or twice a year.ecent syllabi:
By special arrangement through the Linguistics faculty. Acadinfo.wustl.
This course explores the linguistic consequences of the African slave trade, and in so doing introduces students to basic concepts in linguistic science that are relevant to human language development and controversial educational theories that are based on race. Anthropological, linguistic, and psychological dimensions of African American culture are embedded within complementary evaluations of educational controversies surrounding the teaching of (standard) English to American slave descendants, including the Ebonics controversy and its relevance to larger questions of social efficacy, and the affirmative action debate that has consumed the nation. Students will work individually or in groups to produce a major intellectual artifact (e.g., a term paper, a scholarly web page, or a project pertaining to the linguistic plight of citizens within this African Diaspora. Students will be introduced to foundational African American studies in anthropology, education, English, linguistics, and psychology. Acadinfo.wustl.
Taught SP2008 and every 2 years.
A general introduction to the relationship between language and society in Africa with special focus on the general pattern of language use in densely multilingual African societies. The course explores the sociolinguistics factors that variously influence growth, spread, and recognition of languages, dialects, slang, and emerging varieties in language contact environments. Specific topics to be covered may include: multilingualism in Sub-Saharan Africa; language policies in education; language use and variation; language attitudes; and the social roles of urban slang: Sheng, Tsotsitaal, Urban Wolof, and Indoubil. Acadinfo.wustl.
Taught FL2009 and every Fall.
This course explores the relationships between linguistic practice and other social and cultural processes. Among the topics to be discussed are language and social identity, language and thought, language and gender, multilingualism and language shift as well as the connections between language and the identity of ethnically or nationally defined communities. The course format will alternate between "classic" theoretical readings and ethnographic case studies on the interplay between linguistic practice and ideology as well as cultural and social processes. Acadinfo.wustl.
This course will provide a study of the impact of Latin and Greek on the English language through intensive study of the Latin and Greek roots, prefixes, and suffixes that are most commonly found in English technical and non-technical vocabulary. Some attention will also be paid to the linguistic principles by which these elements have entered the English language. Acadinfo.wustl.
Taught SP2009 and approximately every Spring.
This course examines the communicative patterns of what is called variously African-American language, Pan-African linguistic systems, and Ebonics within the context of public school policy and practice. In addition to a review of the structural and pragmatic aspects of Black speech, the course highlights relationships between controversies within the linguistic community, contrasting views of speech within Black lay communities, public discourse, and educational policy. Students will also conduct a field-based research project in accord with their particular interests. Acadinfo.wustl.
Introduction to the fields of speech-language pathology, audiology, education of hearing-impaired children, and speech and hearing sciences. Normal speech and hearing processes are discussed, as well as communication disorders. Selected research topics in speech and hearing sciences are presented. Acadinfo.wustl.
Introduction to anatomy and physiology of the peripheral hearing system and central nervous system, including functional descriptions of the systems and processes underlying speech and hearing function and dysfunction. Acadinfo.wustl.
Acoustical analysis of speech sounds; cues and features of speech in production and perception; various effects of speech perception. Acadinfo.wustl.
Study of normal language development, including the phonologic, morphologic, semantic, syntactic and metalinguistic aspects. Methods of language measurement, including the role of comprehension, and pragmatic aspects of language are included. Acadinfo.wustl.
Analysis and comparison of American Sign Language and other sign systems used by the American Deaf Community. Review of related literature and research. Lectures, demonstration and reading. 2 units. Acadinfo.wustl.
We learn notation that reflects the building blocks of deductive reasoning and facilitates its study. Sentential calculus and quantification theory are developed, emphasizing both their formal properties and their application to arguments. The central concept is validity. Some theoretical questions are considered; the completeness of quantification theory is established. Acadinfo.wustl.
A survey of major philosophical problems concerning meaning, reference, and truth as they have been addressed within the analytic tradition. Readings that represent diverse positions on these focal issues will be selected from the work of leading philosophers in the field, for example: Frege, Russell, Wittgenstein, Davidson, Quine, Kripke, and Putnam. Students are encouraged to engage critically the ideas and arguments presented, and to develop and defend their own views on the core topics. A previous course in logic is recommended but not required. Prerequisites: one course in Philosophy at the 100 or 200-level, or permission of the instructor. Acadinfo.wustl.
Taught SP2009 and approximately every Spring.
This course covers the development of language skills in children. Topics include biological bases of language development, language development in atypical populations, childhood bilingualism, and development of written language skills in children. Prerequisite: Psych 100B or Ling 170D or Psych 321 or Psych 360. Acadinfo.wustl.
FL2009.
This course surveys current research and theory in psycholinguistics, covering the biological bases, cognitive bases, and learning of language. We consider studies of normal children and adults, the performance of individuals with various types of language disorders, and computer simulations of language processes. Topics range from the perception and production of speech sounds to the management of conversations. Each student will carry out an original research project on some aspect of psycholinguistics. Prereq: Ling 170D and Psych 100B. Acadinfo.wustl.
Taught SP2009 and approximately every Spring.
An introduction to the scientific study of the Spanish language, this course focuses on each of the major linguistic subsystems, including the sound system (phonetics and phonology), word formation (morphology), formation of phrases and sentences (syntax), and the use of the language to convey meaning (semantics and pragmatics). At each level of analysis, selected comparisons are made between Spanish and English and between Spanish and other languages. The course also examines different historical, regional, and social varieties of Spanish and situations of Spanish in contact with other languages. Preceptorial for undergraduates only. (Projected to become Span 370 in 2010.) Acadinfo.wustl.
This course, conducted in Spanish, explores the linguistic varieties of the 21 Spanish-speaking countries from both a historical and a synchronic perspective. The course begins with a traditional look at Spanish phonetics and phonology, with all students memorizing and utilizing the International Phonetic Alphabet. Course readings and discussions extend beyond the descriptive and include a search for the sources of language variation within the Spanish speaking world. Particular attention is devoted to language contact and bilingualism. Students will read in areas such as history, sociolinguistics, dialectology, and sociology, as well as traditional linguistic studies, in designing their projects concerning phonetics, phonology and dialect diversification. Acadinfo.wustl.