Sociolinguistics

Catalog description

This course is an introduction to the theory, methods, and central concerns of sociolinguistics, the study of the relationship between language and society. Our focus will be on the social correlates of language variation and change. By reading and discussing classic and contemporary papers in the field, we will address a number of fundamental questions about how language varies and changes: across speaker groups, within individuals, and over time. Emphasis will be placed on exposing students to topics of current interest and active debate in sociolinguistic research, with the aim of preparing students to contribute to the field. This course assumes a basic familiarity with phonetics, phonology, morphology, and syntax.