This introductory course in linguistics fulfills an Institute-wide humanities requirement and provides students with a foundational understanding of human language. Students will explore how speech sounds are produced and categorized (phonetics and phonology), how words and sentences are formed (morphology and syntax), and how meaning is conveyed (semantics and pragmatics). The course also examines the role of language in society, including language variation, change, and identity. Drawing examples from English and a range of world languages, students will gain insight into the remarkable diversity and underlying universality of human linguistic capacity.
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Identify and apply core concepts from the major subfields of theoretical linguistics, including phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics/pragmatics, and sociolinguistics.
- Analyze linguistic data from diverse world languages and compare it with their own native or heritage language(s) using metalinguistic reflection.
- Communicate technical ideas effectively by using appropriate linguistic terminology, constructing clear arguments, and supporting claims with empirical evidence.
- Integrate scientific inquiry with humanistic perspectives to develop a deeper understanding of language as a cognitive and social phenomenon.
- Demonstrate increased autonomy as learners by engaging critically with language-related issues and continuing to develop as reflective, lifelong learners.
Textbook (required)
Language Files, by the Ohio State University Department of Linguistics, 11th or 12th edition.
Recommended Materials
William O’Grady, John Archibald, Mark Aronoff, and Janie Rees-Miller, Contemporary Linguistics: An Introduction, 7th Edition, Bedford St. Martin’s 2017.
- Exams (3): 30%
- Quizzes (6): 10%
- Portfolios (2): 30%
- Homework (6): 25%
- Participation: 5%
Six absences will be excused; however, for each additional non-Institute-approved absence, 1% will be deducted from your final grade. To pass the course, students must have fewer than 10 total absences, including both excused and unexcused absences. Tardiness—defined as arriving more than 5 minutes late or leaving class early—will count as half an absence.
Students are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. All work submitted must be original and properly cited. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in immediate consequences as outlined in the university's academic integrity policy.
This is a Core IMPACTS course that is part of the Humanities area. Core IMPACTS refers to the core curriculum, which provides students with essential knowledge in foundational academic areas. This course will help students master course content, and support students’ broad academic and career goals.
This course should direct students toward a broad Orienting Question:
- How do I interpret the human experience through creative, linguistic, and philosophical works?
Completion of this course should enable students to meet the following Learning Outcome:
- Students will effectively analyze and interpret the meaning, cultural significance, and ethical implications of literary/philosophical texts or of works in the visual/performing arts.
Course content, activities and exercises in this course should help students develop the following Career-Ready Competencies:
- Ethical reasoning
- Information literacy
Intercultural competence