Linguistics

Catalog description

This course serves as an introduction to the scientific study of language. We will approach language descriptively rather than prescriptively; which is to say, we will test hypotheses through observation of the phenomenon of language rather than mandate what language "should" be. We will explore problems in the main areas of linguistics: phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics and pragmatics. In doing so, we will address a range of topics such as the neurological basis of language; the process and stages of language acquisition; methods of second language learning; linguistic change and variation; and sociolinguistic issues such as the social status of African-American Vernacular English and regional dialects.