VINNIE LINARES
LINGUISTICS 102
Office Kupa'a 205
Office Hours:
By appointment and or one hour prior to class.Phone: 808.984.3316
E-mail: linares@hawaii.edu
WELCOME TO LINGUISTICS 102
Linguistics 102 is a course, which investigates the nature and workings of language by carefully examining the following:
A. The composition of language: sound system, grammatical structure, and lexicon
B. The representation of language: oral/written forms
C. The divergence of language: relationship between world languages
When you complete this course, you will better understand how and why languages are created, and more importantly to my mind, you will understand the social, cultural, and psychological intricacies that contribute to the complexities of language formation and use. In addition, the course will allow you to examine your own linguistic beliefs and attitudes and allow you to fully appreciate the richness of Hawaii's multi-cultural population.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of LING 102, the student should be able to:
- Demonstrate a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the nature of language and a livelier interest in all its manifestations.
- Perform basic phonologically, morphological and syntactical analyses of language data.
- Distinguish geographic, historical and social variation in language.
- Reconstruct the ancestral form of words on the bases of selected data from contemporary daughter languages.
- Identify stages of language acquisition and distinguish between first and second language acquisition.
- Explain the relationship between language behaviors and is physical foundations.
- Demonstrate an awareness of gender related issues in language use.
- Transcribe the sounds of English using phonetic symbols.
- Use the terminology and concepts of the discipline
- Collaborate through working with peers on a variety of assignments
- Present clearly and concisely the result of the students own research
- Use technology to gather information, analyze data and or communicate with other members of the class
TEXTS AND MATERIALS
Required Texts:
Language Files: Ohio State University: webpage: http://ling.ohio-state.edu/files/files.html
The Language Instinct, Steven Pinker
The Story of English, PBS SeriesRequired Materials: A large bound notebook
Paper, pens, etc.
Computer discs
COURSE MATERIALS AND CONTENT
The course has SEVEN components, so that we can adequately cover the study of language. Each component will contribute to your final grade for the course. Linguistics 102 is also a writing intensive course; therefore, you will be asked throughout the semester to summit in written form, your thoughts, observations, and analyses of our course work. As a Writing Intensive course, this course is structured partly as a workshop, not just a lecture course, which means that many class sessions will entail small group work. You will also share your essays, assignments and drafts with your classmates.
A. RAP SHEETS:
One due per week for 15 weeks
Approximately one rap sheet per week will be required beginning in week two of the course. Rap sheets are to clarify, outline, and explain in your own words, the topics covered during class from the textbooks and our discussions. They are not summaries but rather reflections, observations and analysis. The purpose of these is to allow you and your classmates the ability to seek further clarification of issues, ask questions, and/or make comments. If you do them all, and on time, you extra credit. These are posted each week on the WebCt Bulletin Board: www.webct.hawaii.edu. You are expected to read them and make appropriate comments before class.
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B. OBSERVATION NOTEBOOK:
A total of 12 entries each time
You will be required to keep a typed observation notebook called a Language journal in which you will record a total of 12 observations of language seen and heard around you. This is your FIELD DATA. The notebook will be collected 3 times during the semester. A total of 12 entries is required for credit. Examples of the types of data to look for are given in a handout. These will be posted on the WebCt Bulletin Board.
C. ASSIGNMENTS:
Throughout the semester there will be a number of assigned exercises to complete from the two textbooks, as well as from other sources. In most cases these assignments will be given a credit, no/credit grade. Please be fully prepared for class by doing the assignments prior to each class discussion and lecture. As part of your assignments, I have scheduled the videos: The Story of English to be shown throughout the semester on MCC's Cable TV Station. There are 9 individual videos; each will be shown several times a week for your viewing. If you do not have Cable, the videos will be available at the MCC Library or at your Center. I will provide you the viewing schedule.
D. QUIZZES:
There will be four graded quizzes. Study questions will be provided for each.
Your Rap Sheets, Assignments, Observation Notebooks and quizzes will constitute 1/3 of your final grade.
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E. MID-TERM PROJECT:
1/3 of your final grade
After selecting a topic with my approval, you will do a short formal paper that is based on one of your observations or reflections. It will require minimal research library sources and one living source. The paper will be 4-5 pages in length, typed, double-spaced. You will have an opportunity to share a rough draft with your classmates.
F. FINAL PROJECT:
1/3 of your final grade
You will be asked to conduct some fieldwork on a language, which is not known to you. I will give all the necessary materials to collect the data. The first step in the project will be to locate a native speaker of a language that you do not know. I will help if you can't locate such a speaker. The second step is to analyze the data you have gathered and then write a report using the guidelines I give you.
The quality of your class work and participation also plays a very important part in your final grade, and while not as objective as specific test scores, it is something I consider quite carefully.
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION
ATTENDANCE POLICY: If you miss two classes in a row without prior notification, you may be automatically dropped from the course. If you do miss a class, you are still responsible for the work and/or assignments due that day. Keep up to date by reviewing the assignment calendar and or talking to classmates.
ASSIGNMENT POLICY: All assignments are due on due dates. No late assignments will be accepted. If you can't make class, have a friend or classmate deliver your work to me in class and/or leave it in the Language Arts Division Office.
OF NOTE: Many resources relevant to the topics discussed in class can be further examined in great detail by using the INTERNET. Computers are available on campus in several locations, which should allow for some interesting research and "net surfing."
SCHEDULE
WEEK 1: What is language? Universal grammar, language faculty
Files 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 2.1
WEEK 2: Phonetics-Description and notation of language sounds
Files 3-1-3.8
Pinker: An Instinct to Acquire Art
WEEK 3: Phonology: The sound pattern of language
Files 4.1-4.3
Pinker: Chatterboxes
WEEK 4: Morphology: The shapes of words
Files 5.1-5.5
Mid-term prep
Pinker: Mentalese
WEEK 5: Review and examination
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WEEK 6: Syntax: The structure of sentences
Files 6.1-6.6
Pinker: How Language Works
WEEK 7: Semantics & Pragmatics: Meaning and denotation in language
Meaning in specific situations, language use
Files 7.1-7.4, 8.1-8.3
Pinker: Words, Words, Words
WEEK 8: Discourse: Language above sentence, suprasentential structure & 9 narrative analysis
Files 8.5
Pinker: The Sounds of Silence
WEEK 10: Mid-term project due
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Pinker: Talking Heads
WEEK 11: Psycholinguistics: Language & the Brain, language disorder
Files 9.1
Video: The Brain
Pinker: The Tower of Babel
WEEK 12: Psycholinguistics: language acquisition of children, adult language
Files 9.2-9.3, 9.10-9.11
Final project assignment
Pinker: Baby Born Talking-Describes Heaven
WEEK 13: Historical Linguistics: language change, the comparative method
Files 10.1-10.4
Video: In search of the first language
Pinker: Language Organs and Grammar genes
WEEK 14: Creole languages: pidgins, Creoles, language contact, new languages
Files 11.1-11.3
Pinker: The Big Bang
WEEK 15: Language variation
Files 12.1, 12.312.5, 12.6
Pinker: The Language Mavens
WEEK 16: Review
Pinker: Mind Design
WEEK 17: Final project due
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The Classroom Culture
These policies, procedures, and goals and objectives are time tested and have proven to be successful for this course, and are designed to help you succeed, providing a workable and flexible structure throughout the term. As your instructor, I look forward to working with you as you develop and further hone your critical thinking and writing skills. If you have any special learning needs or requests: a diagnosed learning disability; a physical disability; anything that might impede with your learning, please do not hesitate to inform me, for it is imperative that we create a learning environment for all.
Given the diversity of learning styles and ethnographies in the class, we must always be respectful and accommodating to each other, never allowing rude and/or inappropriate comments.
And finally, I need you to read and carefully consider the following:
"All forms of cheating, including plagiarism, are against College policy and can lead to automatic failure expulsion."
Take the time to carefully review the meaning of plagiarism in any dictionary, as well as thoroughly acquaint yourself with the MCC Catalog. Also carefully review this webpage: http://www.sjlibrary.org/services/literacy/info_comp/plagiarism.htm
I have read the syllabus and understand the policies of the class. I understand that my grade is based upon percentage points I achieve throughout the term. I understand the definition and expectations for our classroom culture, and understand that not following the recommendations, policies and procedures for the course can lead to a failing grade, and/or removal from the class.
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