LING - Linguistics
LING 150
Introduction to Linguistics
Introduction to theory and methods of linguistics: universal properties of human language; phonetic, phonological, morphological, syntactic, and semantic structures and analysis; nature and form of grammar. Units: 6.
LING 191
Directed Study in Linguistics
Directed study follows a syllabus set primarily by the instructor to meet the needs or interests of an individual student or small group of students. The main goal of directed study is knowledge or skill acquisition, not research or creative work. Units: Variable.
LING 210
Language and the Law
An introduction to the field of Forensic Linguistics, the application of linguistics to the language of the law. Topics will include the use of language by various participants in the legal process (judges, lawyers, police, witnesses), the plain-language movement, and the linguist as expert witness. Units: 6.
LING 265
Introduction to Japanese Language and Culture
A survey introducing major characteristics of Japanese language with reference to the structure of Japanese society. Topics include honorifics, use of pronouns, loan words, age and gender differences in the language. The course will also familiarize students with various aspects of traditional and contemporary Japanese culture. Units: 6.
Also listed as East Asian Studies 265, Chinese and Japanese 265
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing; CHJA 112 recommended
LING 310
Introduction to East Asian Linguistics
Survey of genetic, regional, and typological classification of East Asian languages; writing systems for Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Tibetan languages; descriptive and comparative analyses of phonological, morphological, and syntactic structures of East Asian languages. More than one language may be investigated in detail. Units: 6.
Also listed as Chinese and Japanese 310, East Asian Studies 310
Prerequisite: LING 150 and sophomore standing
LING 320
Historical Linguistics
An introduction to the principles and procedures of historical and comparative linguistics: sound change, genetic classification, reconstruction, language variation, and comparative philology. Emphasis on Indo-European, with particular attention to methodology and the historical development of the discipline itself. Units: 6.
Prerequisite: LING 150 or consent of instructor
LING 330
Language and Culture
An examination of language and other cultural symbolic systems used to formulate and communicate meanings. Attention to social factors in language use, including ethnicity, social class, gender, and the nation-state. Some consideration of the ways that language both reflects and influences people’s ways of thinking. Units: 6.
Also listed as Anthropology 330
Prerequisite: ANTH 110
LING 340
Introduction to Syntax
An introduction to descriptive analysis of morphological and syntactic structures in natural languages with an emphasis on gaining insight into the nature of such structures, rather than on linguistic formalization. Topics include levels of representation, X-bar theory, case theory, thematic roles, the lexicon, grammatical function-changing rules, and head-complement relations. Units: 6.
Prerequisite: LING 150 or consent of instructor
LING 350
Introduction to Phonology
An introduction to the formal study of phonetics, phonemics, and phonological analysis and theory. Topics include stress, syllable structure, tones, metrics, phonotactics, and links between phonology and morphology/syntax; exercises on familiar and unfamiliar languages. Units: 6.
Prerequisite: LING 150 or consent of instructor
LING 360
Second Language Acquisition
This course will introduce various issues in the study of second-language acquisition from different perspectives. Topics will include comparisons to first-language acquisition, factors related to second-language acquisition, and learner strategies. Units: 6.
Prerequisite: LING 150 or consent of instructor
LING 370
Phonetics
An introduction to the science of speech sounds, focusing on descriptive and experimental studies of articulation and speech acoustics. Laboratory demonstrations of speech production, acoustical analysis, and speech synthesis are combined with lecture/demonstrations to relate phonetics research to theories of phonology and language acquisition. Units: 6.
Also listed as Psychology 375
Prerequisite: LING 150, PSYC 340, or consent of instructor
LING 374
Advanced Grammar Studies
In-depth study of grammar, syntax, and composition that builds on concepts learned in the intermediate courses. Problem areas, particularly at the advanced level of the language, are studied systematically. Units: 6.
Also listed as Spanish 345
Prerequisite: SPAN 202, its equivalent or consent of the instructor.
LING 375
Spanish Phonetics
Spanish Phonetics will immerse students in the pronunciation and general phonetics of the Spanish language as it is spoken in Spain and Latin America. The course will help students to perfect their accent in Spanish and make them aware of the different accents of spoken Spanish. It also will serve Conservatory of Music students who desire to practice their diction in Spanish. Taught in Spanish. Not open to native speakers of Spanish. Units: 6.
Also listed as Spanish 340
Prerequisite: SPAN 202, its equivalent, or consent of the instructor; not open to native speakers of Spanish
LING 376
Spanish Phonetics (in English)
Spanish Phonetics will immerse students in the pronunciation and general phonetics of the Spanish language as it is spoken in Spain and Latin America. The course will help students to perfect their accent in Spanish and make them aware of the different accents of spoken Spanish. It also will serve Conservatory of Music students who desire to practice their diction in Spanish. Taught in English. Not open to native speakers of Spanish. Units: 6.
Also listed as Spanish 341
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of the instructor
LING 380
Introduction to Morphology
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. The assignments involve in-depth analyses of data from various languages. Units: 6.
Prerequisite: LING 150
LING 390
Tutorial Studies in Linguistics
Available to advanced students of linguistics. Units: Variable.
Prerequisite: Counter Registration Required.
LING 391
Directed Study in Linguistics
Directed study follows a syllabus set primarily by the instructor to meet the needs or interests of an individual student or small group of students. The main goal of directed study is knowledge or skill acquisition, not research or creative work. Units: Variable.
LING 399
Independent Study in Linguistics
Available to advanced students of linguistics. Units: Variable.
Prerequisite: Counter Registration Required.
LING 400
Philosophy of Language
An examination of major theories of meaning, reference, and cognitive content and an attempt to understand how language functions to relate “internal” psychological states to things in the “external” world. Contemporary philosophers are emphasized. Units: 6.
Also listed as Philosophy 400
Prerequisite: One course in philosophy, junior standing, or consent of instructor; PHIL 150 recommended
LING 420
Topic for Winter 2010: Montague Semantics and Theories of Truth
Topics in Logic
An investigation of topics selected from among the following: consistency and completeness theorems for both sentential and predicate logic, Gödel’s Incompleteness Theorem, logical paradoxes (Russell’s Paradox, the Liar Paradox, and Newcomb’s Paradox), and modal-tense logic and its formal semantics.
Also listed as Philosophy 420
Prerequisite: PHIL 150 or consent of instructor
LING 450
Topics in the Psychology of Language
An examination of the nature and structure of language, integrating knowledge from linguistics, psychology, neurophysiology, and sociology. Focus on the psychological theories and experimental evidence about language production and perception. Units: 6.
Also listed as Psychology 540
Prerequisite: PSYC 340, LING 150, or consent of instructor
LING 470
Cognitive Linguistics
Cognitive linguistics is a subfield of linguistics and cognitive science that studies conceptual structure, language, and meaning in relation to general cognitive mechanisms. Topics include cognitive and construction grammars, categorization, construal, image schemas, mental spaces, conceptual metaphors, and conceptual blending.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: LING 150 or consent of instructor
LING 510
The Romance Languages and Their Histories
An introduction to the development of Romance languages from Latin. Emphasis on a comparative study of the structures of the modern Romance languages. Taught in English. Units: 6.
Also listed as Spanish 560, Classics 520
Prerequisite: Knowledge of Latin or a Romance language beyond the intermediate level, or consent of instructor
LING 530
The English Language
A study of the historical background of English and the sounds and structure of modern English. Units: 6.
Also listed as English 530
Prerequisite: LING 150 or consent of instructor
LING 545
Gesture Studies
Gesture studies is an interdisciplinary field that examines the use of the hands and other parts of the body in communication and cognition. In this seminar we discuss studies of gesture types, universals, and variations; gesture development; gesture production and perception; relations of gesture to thought and language (spoken and signed); and functions of gesture in human interaction, problem-solving, and learning. Units: 6.
Also listed as Education Studies 545, Psychology 545
Prerequisite: One course in linguistics or psychology, or consent of the instructor
LING 590
Tutorial Studies in Linguistics
Available to advanced students of linguistics. Units: Variable.
Prerequisite: Counter Registration Required.
LING 591
Directed Study in Linguistics
Directed study follows a syllabus set primarily by the instructor to meet the needs or interests of an individual student or small group of students. The main goal of directed study is knowledge or skill acquisition, not research or creative work. Units: Variable.
LING 599
Independent Study in Linguistics
Available to advanced students of linguistics. Units: Variable.
Prerequisite: Counter Registration Required.
LING 690
Tutorial Studies in Linguistics
Available to advanced students of linguistics. Units: Variable.
Prerequisite: Counter Registration Required.
LING 691
Directed Study in Linguistics
Directed study follows a syllabus set primarily by the instructor to meet the needs or interests of an individual student or small group of students. The main goal of directed study is knowledge or skill acquisition, not research or creative work. Units: Variable.
LING 699
Independent Study in Linguistics
Available to advanced students of linguistics. Units: Variable.
Prerequisite: Counter Registration Required.