Linguistics (LING)
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Course numbers with the # symbol included (e.g. #400) have not been taught in the last 3 years.
LING 405 - Introduction to Linguistics
Credits: 4
Overview of the study of language: universal properties of human language, Chomsky's innateness hypothesis, language acquisition in children, dialects and language variation, language change. Includes an introduction to modern grammar (phonology, syntax, and semantics) and to scientific linguistic methodology.
Attributes: Social Science (Discovery); Inquiry (Discovery)
Equivalent(s): ENGL 505, ENGL 505H, LING 405H, LING 505, LING 505H
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
LING 605 - Intermediate Linguistic Analysis
Credits: 4
Analysis and problem solving in phonology, morphology, and syntax using data from many languages. Emphasis is both practical (learning how to describe grammar and sound system of a language) and theoretical (understanding languages' behavior).
Prerequisite(s): LING 405 with a minimum grade of D- or ENGL 405 with a minimum grade of D-.
Equivalent(s): ENGL 605
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
LING 606 - Languages of the World
Credits: 4
A survey of the languages of the world from genetic, areal, and typological perspectives. Students learn about the geographic and demographic distribution of language families and language isolates, as well as about structural characteristics of languages, language families and language areas. Additional topics include language endangerment and the question of linguistic universals. Students work collaboratively on a project investigating a particular language family, giving in class presentations and writing up a final project report. Some prior knowledge of phonetics, phonology, morphology, and syntax is necessary.
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 405 with a minimum grade of D- or LING 405 with a minimum grade of D- or ENGL 605 with a minimum grade of D- or LING 605 with a minimum grade of D-.
Equivalent(s): ENGL 606
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
LING 695 - Senior Honors
Credits: 4
Open to senior LING majors who, in the opinion of the department, have demonstrated the capacity to do superior work.
Attributes: Honors course
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
LING #717 - Languages in Contact
Credits: 4
This course will explore topics related to languages in contact, including borrowing, code-switching, second language acquisition, bilingual mixed languages, language shift and maintenance, pidgins and creoles, and the linguistic and social factors which play a role in language contact.
Attributes: Writing Intensive Course
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 405 with a minimum grade of D- or LING 405 with a minimum grade of D-.
Equivalent(s): ENGL 717
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
LING 718 - Morphology
Credits: 4
Morphology is the study of word formation and the mental lexicon. This course explores processes of derivation, compounding and inflection that allow us to form new words. Students will become proficient in analyzing word formation processes in English and other languages, including deploying terminology used by morphologists. Students will learn and practice the conventions of "writing like a linguist".
Attributes: Writing Intensive Course
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 405 with a minimum grade of D- or LING 405 with a minimum grade of D-.
Equivalent(s): ENGL 718
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
LING 719 - Sociolinguistics Survey
Credits: 4
How language varies according to the characteristics of its speakers: age, sex, ethnicity, attitude, time, and class. Quantitative analysis methods; relationships to theoretical linguistics. Focus is on English, but some other languages are examined.
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 405 with a minimum grade of D- or LING 405 with a minimum grade of D- or ENGL 605 with a minimum grade of D- or LING 605 with a minimum grade of D-.
Equivalent(s): ENGL 719
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
LING 728 - Language and Gender
Credits: 4
This course will explore a variety of topics around the theme of language and gender, including the relationship between gender, language and power; the linguistic marking of gender; how people use language to construct and perform their gender; how gender intersects with other facets of identity, including sexuality and race and ethnicity.or.
Attributes: Writing Intensive Course
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 405 with a minimum grade of D- or LING 405 with a minimum grade of D- or WS 401 with a minimum grade of D- or WS 405 with a minimum grade of D-.
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
LING 779 - Linguistic Field Methods
Credits: 4
Study of a non-Indo-European language by eliciting examples from an informant, rather than written descriptions of the language. Students learn how to work out the grammar of a language from raw data. (Not offered every semester).
Attributes: Writing Intensive Course
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 405 with a minimum grade of D- or LING 405 with a minimum grade of D- or ENGL 605 with a minimum grade of D- or LING 605 with a minimum grade of D-.
Equivalent(s): ENGL 779
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
LING 790 - Special Topics in Linguistics Theory
Credits: 4
Advanced course on a topic chosen by the instructor. Inquire at the English department office for a full course description each time the course is offered. Topics such as word formation, dialectology, linguistic theory, and language acquisition, history of linguistics, language and culture, cross-disciplinary studies relating to linguistics. Barring duplication of subject, may be repeated for credit.
Attributes: Writing Intensive Course
Repeat Rule: May be repeated up to unlimited times.
Equivalent(s): ENGL 790
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
LING 793 - Phonetics and Phonology
Credits: 4
Sound system of English and of other languages viewed from the standpoint of modern linguistic theory, including the following topics: the acoustic and articulatory properties of speech sounds, the phonemic repertoires of particular languages, phonological derivations, and prosodic phenomena such as stress and intonation.
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 405 with a minimum grade of D- or LING 405 with a minimum grade of D- or ENGL 605 with a minimum grade of D- or LING 605 with a minimum grade of D-.
Equivalent(s): ENGL 793
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
LING 794 - Syntax
Credits: 4
Relationship of grammar and meaning viewed from the standpoint of modern linguistic theory. Emphasis on the syntax and semantics of English, with special attention to the construction of arguments for or against particular analyses.
Attributes: Writing Intensive Course
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 405 with a minimum grade of D- or LING 405 with a minimum grade of D- or ENGL 605 with a minimum grade of D- or LING 605 with a minimum grade of D-.
Equivalent(s): ENGL 794
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
LING 795 - Independent Study
Credits: 1-4
A) Synchronic Linguistics, B) Diachronic Linguistics, C) Linguistic Theory. For students showing a special aptitude for linguistics who desire to pursue a line of inquiry for which no appropriate course is offered. All requests must be forwarded by the faculty sponsor to the director of the Inter-departmental Linguistics Committee.
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
View Course Learning Outcomes
- Be able to identify an original research question(s) in the field of linguistics that contributes to the current body of knowledge in the field.
- Be knowledgeable of the relevant literature underpinning their specific research topic of interest.
- Develop a well-informed stance on their specific topic and research question in linguistics.
- Become familiar with the major research paradigms in linguistics as well as the life cycle of research, from articulating research questions to reporting on research results.
- Come away with a better understanding of the general principles and procedures of conducting research, sharpen their critical thinking skills, and develop a basic level of research literacy needed to become intelligent readers, critics, and consumers of published research.