Course Syllabus

Description

This course serves as an survey of the field of contemporary linguistics, with an emphasis on the standard terminology and methods useful for analyzing, learning and teaching human languages. Topics include phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics and pragmatics.

Objectives

  1. master the standard linguistic terminology used for describing languages.
  2. gain an awareness of both the range of variation in human languages and the features common among them.
  3. demonstrate the ablility to use linguistic terminology and methods to analyze, describe and compare human languages in terms of phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics.
  4. demonstrate the ability to apply linguistic knowledge to a variety of problems, such as language acquisition or language teaching.
  5. express beliefs and attitudes about language and language use that are both carefully examined and factually motivated.

Required Texts

Tserdanelis & Wong (eds.) Language Files: Materials for an Introduction to Language and Linguistics (10th Ed) Ohio State University 2007. ISBN 0-8142-5163-3.

Grading:

Exams & quizzes 60%
Homework 25%
Group presentations 10%
Participation & preparation 5%
Total 100%

 

A ≥ 93
A- ≥ 90
B+ ≥ 87
B ≥ 83
B- ≥ 80
C+ ≥ 77
C ≥ 73
C- ≥ 70
D+ ≥ 67
D ≥ 60
F < 60

Exams & Quizzes

In addition to weekly quizzes, there will be a midterm and a comprehensive final exam . Please do not miss exam days. Make-up exams can only be given for documented emergencies, and only if you have notified me in advance.

Group presentations

During the semester you will work in small groups to develop a short lesson presenting a linguistic topic of interest to you that is not otherwise covered in the course. The project will consist of an in-class presentation, a short handout for your peers, and a list of possible exam questions from the material you present.

Attendance

Regular attendance and active participation is crucial to your success in this class. In part, this is because we will devote the majority of the class time to the most important and challenging course topics. The best way to master the material is in the context of a learning community — interacting with peers and with the instructor on a regular basis. Sometimes you will find you can contribute to the collective understanding; sometimes you will benefit from what others have to share. In your education at Messiah College, you should aspire to more than mere technical mastery of the material. If you miss class for any reason, speak to a fellow student to find out what was covered in class that day. Participation refers to factors such as timeliness, attitude, engagement, initiative, collaboration, and attentiveness. Preparation refers to completion of reading and other assignments before class on the day they are due.

Timeliness

All assignments must be completed and submitted before the due date. Any student who falls behind in reading or other assignments can no longer actively participate in the daily learning activities of the course, to the detriment of everyone. To make allowance for unforseen circumstances, each student may submit up to three assignments late during the semester, with the following penalties: within the first 24 hours after the due date, a 10% reduction in points; within the next 24 hours, with a 25% reduction in points. After 48 hours, no assignments will be accepted. Once a student has received credit for three late assignments, no further late assignments can be submitted.

Communication

Messiah College email will be used for official communication relating to the class. In order to avoid missing important messages, please check your Messiah email at least once a day Monday-Friday. Any email you send me MUST have a subject line that identifies the course and the specific subject of your inquiry (examples: "COSC282 linked list homework due 2/15," "COSC171 question on class lecture for 2/22," "ENGL230 absence on 3/5 due to family emergency") Email sent without a subject line or with a generic subject line will be treated as SPAM (examples: "today's homework," "question for you," "missing class").

Assignments

All assignments are to be submitted in accordance with the instructions provided. Assignments that call for electronic copies must submitted be via Sakai -- no emailed work will be accepted. Assignments that call for hard copies must be submitted at the beginning of class on the due date -- after class begins, no work will be accepted.

Collaboration

In general, it is a good idea to complete learning activities with other students. Unless I specify otherwise, you are encouraged to work collaboratively, with the following provisions: (1) share ideas and thought processes, but not answers; (2) turn in your own individual submission; (3) indicate any such collaboration. Unless explicitly instructed to, NEVER SHARE CODE with another student, even after you have completed the class. Doing so is a violation of academic integrity, and could result in sever penalties, both to the other student and to you EVEN AFTER YOU'VE COMPLETED THE CLASS.

When collaboration is explicitly called for, each student will be asked to evaluate the participation of her/his peers. Make sure your contribution to the project is sufficient.

 

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