In introductory linguistics, we begin with a consideration of the nature of language and then move to an examination of current ideas about the representation of language in the brain. The central part of the course then focuses on the different levels of structural organization in language - the levels of phonology, morphology and syntax - and presents some of the modern techniques of linguistic analysis. Linguistic problem sets will provide the opportunity to develop logic skills and problem-solving techniques. Once students have developed an understanding of the units and principles of language organization at each of these levels, we will begin to explore other topics of interest in linguistics, including semantics (the study of meaning), sociolinguistics (how language use varies with social class membership), historical linguistics (how languages change over time), language acquisition, animal communication, humans and computers, and writing systems. There will be problem sets, two take home exams, a short paper, and a final.

Instructor: A. Levitt

Text: Fromkin and Rodman, An Introduction to Language, 7th Edition

Created By: Kristen Roth, '05
Maintained By: Andrea Levitt
Created: January 16, 2005
Last Modified: September 3, 2005
Expires: August 1, 2006