Departments & Programs

Linguistics

Course Descriptions

  • LING–L 103 Introduction to the Study of Language (3 cr.) CASE S&H A survey of perspectives on language, covering topics such as the relation between the form of words and sentences and their meanings, the sounds of languages and their dialect variations, the use of language in daily life, language in humans and animals, and the relationship between language and thought.
  • LING–L 112 Language and Politics (3 cr.) CASE S&H Explores how language and politics influence each other. The speeches of presidents, vice presidents, congressmen, senators, governors, and action group members will be examined. Course topics include notions of context, political pronouns, parallelism, metaphors, questions and answers, political correctness, censorship, and the politics about languages (language policy issues).
  • LING–L 205 Language and Style (3 cr.) CASE S&H A study of variation in language, particularly as it affects the transmission of meaning. Geographic, social, sexual, and situational linguistic variation will be studied. The specialized forms and functions of the languages of politics, advertising, and literature will be examined in detail, as will various strategies for verbal manipulation.
  • LING–L 210 Topics in Language and Society (3 cr.) CASE S&H The study of topics relating to the role of language as a social phenomenon. May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
  • LING–L 214 Animal Communication (3 cr.) A comparative overview surveying basic aspects of animal communication, including human communication, and covering such issues as the nature of communicative signals, the relative unity versus diversity within communicating groups, and the role of learning versus innateness in communication systems.
  • LING–L 245 Language and Computers (3 cr.) Present-day computer systems work with human language. This course surveys issues relating natural language to computers, covers real-world applications, and provides practical experience with natural language on computers. Topics include text encoding, search technology, machine translation, dialogue systems, computer-aided language learning, and the social context of technology.
  • LING–L 303 Introduction to Linguistic Analysis (3 cr.) CASE N&M Introduction to basic concepts of linguistic analysis, exemplifying the general principles of structural approaches to the study of language. Application of analytical methods to problems selected from phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics.
  • LING–L 306 Phonetics (3 cr.) CASE N&M Introduction to the nature of speech, and the physiology and process of speech production, and training in IPA transcription of utterances drawn from the languages of the world, including various English dialects. The course includes an emphasis on naturally occurring speech and understanding physical aspects of speech behavior. Some laboratory work is included.
  • LING–L 307 Phonology (3 cr.) CASE N&M R: L306. Basic concepts such as the phoneme and distinctive feature as defined and used within particular theories. The relationship of phonology to phonetics and morphology; exploration of salient aspects of sound structure and some characteristic modes of argumentation; extensive phonological analysis with some practice in writing phonological rules.
  • LING–L 308 Morphology (3 cr.) CASE N&M P: L103, L303, or L307. An introduction to morphology, the study of the internal structure of words. Topics include the concept of the morpheme, the structure of words and processes of word formation, inflection versus derivation, and issues in morphological theory. Students will do morphological analyses on forms drawn from a variety of languages.
  • LING–L 310 Syntax (3 cr.) CASE N&M R: L303. Examination of the basic concepts, assumptions, and argumentation of modern syntactic theory to describe and analyze common syntactic structures in English and other languages. Practice in constructing and evaluating grammars.
  • LING–L 315 Introduction to Sociolinguistics (3 cr.) CASE S&H Examines the relationship between language and society. Issues include the nature of sociolinguistics; the importance of age, sex, socioeconomic status, language ideologies; why people use different dialects/languages in different situations; bilingualism and multilingualism; language choice, language attitudes, language endangerment; the relevance of sociolinguistics to general linguistics theory.
  • LING–L 325 Semantics (3 cr.) CASE N&M R: L303 and L310 or L308. An introduction to the relationship between linguistic forms and their meanings, use, and interpretation. Students will investigate the domain of linguistic semantics and acquire the "tools" to do semantic analysis and to critically evaluate those of others.
  • LING–L 367 Languages of the World (3 cr.) CASE S&H P: L103 or L303. Survey of the language families of the world, including their chief grammatical characteristics, geographical distribution, and cultural status. Topics include methods and evidence for language grouping, causes for linguistic diversity, characteristics of endangered languages, and causes for their endangerment.
  • LING–L 399 Readings in Linguistics (Honors) (cr. arr.; max of 6 cr.) P: Consent of departmental honors committee. Honors course.
  • LING–L 408 Readings in Linguistics (1–4 cr.) R: 12 credit hours of linguistics, or L103 and advanced work in a foreign language. Directed reading in various fields of linguistics. May not duplicate a regularly offered course. May be repeated up to a maximum of 12 credit hours.
  • LING–L 430 Language Change and Variation (3 cr.) CASE S&H P: L307. R: L310 or L308. An introduction to how languages change over time and how prehistoric languages can be reconstructed by comparing their modern descendants. Major topics include principles of language change; historical reconstruction; language relatedness and language families; variation and the mechanism of language change; contact-induced change; the birth and death of languages.
  • LING–L 431 Field Methods (3 cr.) P: L307. R: L310. Introduction to the procedures involved in the structural description of language, using a native speaker of an unfamiliar language whose speech will be analyzed.
  • LING–L 432 Advanced Field Methods (3 cr.) P: L431. Advanced analysis of the language under study in L431.
  • LING–L 445 The Computer and Natural Language (3 cr.) CASE N&M Present-day computer systems work with human language in many different forms, whether as stored data in the form of text, typed queries to a database or search engine, or speech commands in a voice-driven computer system. We also increasingly expect computers to produce human language, such as user-friendly error messages and synthesized speech. This course surveys a range of linguistic issues and problems in computational linguistics.
  • LING–L 480 Introduction to African Linguistics (3 cr.) CASE S&H P: L303 or linguistics major. Introduction to the linguistic study of African languages; questions of language distribution, typological and genetic classification, comparative reconstruction, and structural aspects of individual languages.
  • LING–L 481 Languages in Africa (3 cr.) CASE S&H, CASE GCC Study of languages as an integral component of the lives of African peoples. Topics include linguistic rituals, such as greetings, condolences, apologies, and leave-taking; speaking the unspeakable, joking, and insulting, story telling, proverbs, and anthroponymy. Issues addressed include women and rhetoric, language education, and the dynamics of language spread.
  • LING–L 485 Topics in Linguistics (3 cr.) P: Varies according to topic. Studies in special topics not ordinarily covered in departmental courses.
  • LING–L 490 Linguistic Structures (3 cr.) P: Consent of instructor. The linguistic analysis of particular aspects of the structure of one language or a group of closely related languages.
  • LING–L 499 Honors Project (cr. arr.; max of 6 cr.) P: Approval of the departmental honors committee. Honors course.
African Languages
  • LING–B 101 Elementary Bamana I (4 cr.) Introduction to Bamana, a Mande language of West Africa, and aspects of Bamana culture. Basic grammatical structures and vocabulary. Emphasis on the spoken language.
  • LING–B 102 Elementary Bamana II (4 cr.) Introduction to Bamana, a Mande language of West Africa, and aspects of Bamana culture. Basic grammatical structures and vocabulary. Emphasis on the spoken language.
  • LING–B 201 Intermediate Bamana I (4 cr.) P: Grade of C or higher in B102 or equivalent proficiency. Study of more complex grammatical structures, with emphasis on active skills: speaking and writing. Reading of elementary texts.
  • LING–B 202 Intermediate Bamana II (4 cr.) P: Grade of C or higher in B102 or equivalent proficiency. Study of more complex grammatical structures, with emphasis on active skills: speaking and writing. Reading of elementary texts.
  • LING–B 301 Advanced Bamana I (4 cr.) P: Grade of C or higher in B202 or equivalent proficiency. Examination of subtle nuances in grammatical structures. Advanced readings of traditional and modern literature. Composition. Oriented to needs of students enrolled.
  • LING–B 302 Advanced Bamana II (4 cr.) P: Grade of C or higher in B301 or equivalent proficiency. Examination of subtle nuances in grammatical structures. Advanced readings of traditional and modern literature. Composition. Oriented to the needs of students enrolled.
  • LING–F 101 Elementary African Languages I (4 cr.) Language instruction in the specific African language named in the online Schedule of Classes. Various languages will be offered when available. These courses may be retaken for credit, but only in a different language from that of the first enrollment.
  • LING–F 102 Elementary African Languages II (4 cr.) P: F101 or equivalent in the same language. Language instruction in the specific African language named in the online Schedule of Classes. Various languages will be offered when available. These courses may be retaken for credit, but only in a different language from that of the first enrollment.
  • LING–F 201 Intermediate African Languages I (3 cr.) P: Grade of C or higher in F102 or equivalent proficiency in the same language. Language instruction in the specific African language named in the online Schedule of Classes. Various languages will be offered when available. These courses may be retaken for credit, but only in a different language from that of the first enrollment.
  • LING–F 202 Intermediate African Languages II (3 cr.) Language instruction in the specific African language named in the online Schedule of Classes. Various languages will be offered when available. These courses may be retaken for credit, but only in a different language from that of the first enrollment.
  • LING–F 301 Advanced African Languages I (3 cr.) P: Grade of C or higher in F202 or equivalent proficiency in the same language. Language instruction in the specific African language named in the online Schedule of Classes. Various languages will be offered when available. These courses may be retaken for credit, but only in a different language from that of the first enrollment.
  • LING–F 302 Advanced African Languages II (3 cr.) P: Grade of C or higher in F202 or equivalent proficiency in the same language. Language instruction in the specific African language named in the online Schedule of Classes. Various languages will be offered when available. These courses may be retaken for credit, but only in a different language from that of the first enrollment.
  • LING–H 101 Elementary Hausa I (4 cr.) Introduction to Hausa, a language spoken in Nigeria and Niger, and aspects of Hausa culture. Basic grammatical structures and vocabulary. Emphasis on the spoken language.
  • LING–H 102 Elementary Hausa II (4 cr.) Introduction to Hausa, a language spoken in Nigeria and Niger, and aspects of Hausa culture. Basic grammatical structures and vocabulary. Emphasis on the spoken language.
  • LING–H 201 Intermediate Hausa I (3 cr.) P: Grade of C or higher in H102 or equivalent proficiency. Study of more complex grammatical structures, with emphasis on active skills: speaking and writing. Reading of elementary texts.
  • LING–H 202 Intermediate Hausa II (3 cr.) P: Grade of C or higher in H102 or equivalent proficiency. Study of more complex grammatical structures, with emphasis on active skills: speaking and writing. Reading of elementary texts.
  • LING–H 301 Advanced Hausa I (3 cr.) P: Grade of C or higher in H202 or equivalent proficiency. Examination of subtle nuances in grammatical structures. Advanced readings of traditional and modern literature. Composition. Oriented to needs of students enrolled.
  • LING–H 302 Advanced Hausa II (3 cr.) Examination of subtle nuances in grammatical structures. Advanced readings of traditional and modern literature. Composition. Oriented to needs of students enrolled.
  • LING–K 101 Elementary Akan I (4 cr.) Introduction to Akan, a major language of West Africa, spoken by the Akan peoples of Ghana. With approximately three million speakers, it is the major language of Ghana. Also spoken by thousands of people in the Ivory Coast. Basic grammatical structures and vocabulary. Emphasis on the spoken language. Credit given for only one of K101 or W101.
  • LING–K 102 Elementary Akan II (4 cr.) P: Grade of C or higher in K101 or W101, or equivalent proficiency. Basic grammatical structures and vocabulary. Emphasis on spoken language—oral and listening comprehension, language use in specific social settings like the market, school, hospital, doctor's office, among others. Important cultural points such as food, clothing, marriage. Credit given for only one of K102 or W102.
  • LING–K 201 Intermediate Akan I (3 cr.) P: Grade of C or higher in K102 or W102, or equivalent proficiency. Study of more complex grammatical structures, with emphasis on active skills, speaking and writing. Reading of elementary texts. Credit given for only one of K201 or W201.
  • LING–K 202 Intermediate Akan II (3 cr.) P: Grade of C or higher in K201 or W201, or equivalent proficiency. Study of more complex grammatical structures, with emphasis on active skills, speaking, writing and reading texts. Attention on oral and written composition, reading and listening comprehension, and translation. Description of cultural events through the use of videos and Internet resources. Credit given for only one of K202 or W202.
  • LING–K 301 Advanced Akan I (3 cr.) P: Grade of C or higher in K202 or W202, or equivalent proficiency. Examination of subtle nuances in grammatical structures. Advanced readings of traditional and modern literature. Credit given for only one of K301 or W301.
  • LING–K 302 Advanced Akan II (3 cr.) P: Grade of C or higher in K301 or W301, or equivalent proficiency. Study of complex grammatical structures and more complex contextual discourse patterns. Advanced readings of traditional and modern literature. Advanced oral and written compositions, advanced reading and listening comprehension and translation of complex texts from English to Akan. Credit given for only one of K302 or W302.
  • LING–S 090 Elementary Swahili I: Pre-College (3 cr.) Available only to students participating in the STARTALK program. Intensive four-week program focuses on greetings, introductions, family, food, ingredients, shopping and bargaining, storytelling, songs, and clothing. Grammar and vocabulary are integrated in context.
  • LING–S 101 Elementary Swahili I (4 cr.) Introduction to Swahili, a Bantu language spoken in East Africa, and aspects of Bantu culture. Basic grammatical structures and vocabulary. Emphasis on the spoken language.
  • LING–S 102 Elementary Swahili II (4 cr.) Introduction to Swahili, a Bantu language spoken in East Africa, and aspects of Bantu culture. Basic grammatical structures and vocabulary. Emphasis on the spoken language.
  • LING–S 201 Intermediate Swahili I (3 cr.) P: Grade of C or higher in S102 or equivalent proficiency. Study of more complex grammatical structures, with emphasis on active skills: speaking and writing. Reading of elementary texts.
  • LING–S 202 Intermediate Swahili II (3 cr.) Study of more complex grammatical structures, with emphasis on active skills: speaking and writing. Reading of elementary texts.
  • LING–S 301 Advanced Swahili I (3 cr.) P: Grade of C or higher in S202 or equivalent proficiency. Examination of subtle nuances in grammatical structures. Advanced readings of traditional and modern literature. Composition. Oriented to needs of students enrolled.
  • LING–S 302 Advanced Swahili II (3 cr.) Examination of subtle nuances in grammatical structures. Advanced readings of traditional and modern literature. Composition. Oriented to needs of students enrolled.
  • LING–X 101 Elementary Wolof I (4 cr.) Introduction to Wolof language and culture. Wolof is spoken in West Africa, especially in Senegal, Mauritania, the Gambia, and Mali. Basic grammatical structures and vocabulary. Emphasis is on the spoken language. Exposure to cultural and social settings through the use of electronic media.
  • LING–X 102 Elementary Wolof II (4 cr.) P: Grade of C or higher in X101 or equivalent proficiency. Basic grammatical structures and vocabulary. Emphasis is on the spoken language—oral and listening comprehension, and language use in specific social settings.
  • LING–X 201 Intermediate Wolof I (3 cr.) P: Grade of C or higher in X102 or equivalent proficiency. Study of more complex grammatical structures, with emphasis on active skills: speaking, writing, and reading texts. Attention to oral and written compositions, reading, listening comprehension, and translation of texts.
  • LING–X 202 Intermediate Wolof II (3 cr.) P: Grade of C or higher in X201 or equivalent proficiency. Study of more complex grammatical structures, with emphasis on active skills: speaking, writing, and reading texts. Attention to oral and written compositions, reading, listening comprehension, and translation of texts.
  • LING–X 301 Advanced Wolof I (3 cr.) P: Grade of C or higher in X202 or equivalent proficiency. Study of complex grammatical structures and complex contextual discourse patterns. Advanced readings of traditional and modern literature. Advanced oral and written compositions, listening comprehension, and translation of complex texts.
  • LING–X 302 Advanced Wolof II (3 cr.) P: Grade of C or higher in X301 or equivalent proficiency. Study of complex grammatical structures and complex contextual discourse patterns. Advanced readings of traditional and modern literature. Advanced oral and written compositions, listening comprehension, and translation of complex texts.
  • LING–Z 101 Elementary Zulu I (4 cr.) Introduction to Zulu language and culture. Zulu is spoken in South Africa and the neighboring countries of Zimbabwe, Malawi, Namibia, Mozambique, Swaziland, and Lesotho by about 10 million people. Basic grammatical structures and vocabulary, emphasis on the spoken language and cultural awareness.
  • LING–Z 102 Elementary Zulu II (4 cr.) P: Grade of C or higher in Z101 or equivalent proficiency. Basic grammatical structures and vocabulary. Emphasis on the spoken language, oral and listening comprehension, and language use in specific social settings. Uses videos and Internet resources.
  • LING–Z 201 Intermediate Zulu I (3 cr.) P: Grade of C or higher in Z102 or equivalent proficiency. Study of more complex grammatical structures, with emphasis on active skills of speaking, writing and reading texts. Emphasis on oral and written compositions, reading and listening comprehension, and translation of texts. Description of cultural events through the use of videos and Internet resources.
  • LING–Z 202 Intermediate Zulu II (3 cr.) P: Grade of C or higher in Z201 or equivalent proficiency. Study of more complex grammatical structures, with emphasis on active skills of speaking, writing, and reading texts. Emphasis on oral and written compositions, reading and listening comprehension, and translation of texts. Description of cultural events through the use of videos and Internet resources.
  • LING–Z 301 Advanced Zulu I (3 cr.) P: Grade of C or higher in Z202 or equivalent proficiency. Study of more complex grammatical structures and more complex contextual discourse patterns. Advanced readings of traditional and modern literature. Advanced oral and written compositions, advanced listening comprehension and translation of complex texts. Uses videos and Internet resources.
  • LING–Z 302 Advanced Zulu II (3 cr.) P: Grade of C or higher in Z301 or equivalent proficiency. Study of more complex grammatical structures and of more complex contextual discourse patterns. Advanced readings of traditional and modern literature. Advanced oral and written compositions, advanced listening comprehension and translation of complex texts. Uses videos and Internet resources.
  • LING–A 300 Individual Study of an African Language (1–4 cr.) Individual study of an African language at the 300 level. May be repeated for a maximum of 12 credit hours.
  • LING–A 400 Advanced Individual Study of an African Language (1–4 cr.) Advanced study of any African language beyond the 300 level. May be repeated for a maximum of 12 credit hours.