Grinnell College
Spring Semester, 2001

Kelly Herold (HEROLDK)
Office Hours: Thursdays 2-5 and by appointment
ARH 232C/x3103

This course is designed as an introductory course in general linguistics--the formal study of language. The first part of the course will introduce the methodology for analyzing various levels of linguistic structure, including phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics. The second half of the course will examine the major sub-disciplines of linguistics including sociolinguistics, historical linguistics and linguistic anthropology.

Readings and Daily Class Preparation: It is imperative that readings be completed prior to the day on which they are listed (i.e., for Wednesday, Jan 24 you should have read File Two "Animal Communication" in LF). You should read the selections critically and carefully, bringing any questions that may arise to class for discussion. Class attendance is very important--many topics will be covered only in class. By week two, the class will be divided into four groups. Members of a selected group will be called on randomly in class on designated days. Group members will also conduct an online discussion list (concerning the Pinker and Sampson readings) for their given day/topic.

Homework: In addition to weekly readings, you will be assigned approximately one homework set per week. Most will be taken from Language Files, but there will be additional problems assigned from other sources. Homework sets will be accepted only on the day they are due (you will receive full credit if received at 8am, 50% credit if received before 4pm). You are encouraged to work in groups on homework assignments and to ask questions during office hours.

Exams: There will be three exams over the course of the semester. The first will cover phonetics, phonology and morphology. The second exam will be on syntax and semantics. The final exam will cover topics discussed during the last six weeks of the course.

Papers and Presentations: You will be required to present and write up a group project during the second half of the course. Your project may be on any topic (for example, the use of slang on the Grinnell campus) agreed upon by the instructor. We will discuss this assignment in detail after the spring recess.

Class (discussion, attendance): 10%
Homework sets 25%
In-class Exams: 25%
Final Exam: 20%
Group Project: 20%

Monday, January 22: "What’s in a Name?"

Reading for Wednesday, January 24: File Two (pp. 20-31) in LF

Wednesday, January 24: "Can Animals Speak?"

Reading for Friday, January 26: File 9.1 and 9.2 in LF

Friday, January 26: "Psychology of Language: Overview"

Reading for Monday, January 29: Pinker, Chapter 1

Monday, January 29: "The Brain and Language"

Reading for Wednesday, January 31: Pinker, Chapter 2
Homework Set due Wednesday, January 31: LF pp. 264-266

Wednesday, January 31: "Human Language"

Reading for Friday, February 2: Files 3.1-3.3 in LF

Friday, February 2: "Introduction to Phonetics"

Reading for Monday, February 5: Files 3.6-3.8 in LF

Monday, February 5: "Phonetic Description Continued"

Wednesday, February 7: "Phonetics and Sound Systems of the World"

Reading for Friday, February 9: File 4.1 in LF

Friday, February 9: "Introduction to Phonology"

Reading for Monday, February 12: File 4.2-4.3 in LF

Monday, February 12: "Phonological Rules"

Wednesday, February 14: "Day of Panic and Phonology: Conclusions"

Reading for Friday, February 16: Files 5.1-5.3 in LF

Friday, February 16: "Introduction to Morphology"

Reading for Monday, February 19: Files 5.4 and 5.5 in LF, Pinker, Chapter 5

Monday, February 19: "Rules of Word Formation"

Wednesday, February 21: Review of Phonetics, Phonology and Morphology

Friday, February 23: EXAM #1