Undergraduate Program

This course introduces how language is used and perceived to mark social  characteristics of an individual or group of individuals. We will examine how social identity is constructed linguistically, which linguistic cues are used consciously to denote different social identities, and how most linguistic cues delineating social groups are below conscious awareness. Topics include: prescriptive and descriptive perspectives of language, dialects, accents, language standardization, language and dialect contact, and linguistic profiling. 

Location

Morey Room 205 (MW 10:25AM - 11:40AM)

Water is on track to be the most pressing environmental issue in the upcoming decades. But beyond its physical substance, what is water? How do we understand its value in our lives? Who controls it? This course will focus on the language and landscape of water, its geography and physical presence on the landscape, to examine how languages shape our actions, understanding and knowledge of what water is in human communities. In the course we’ll examine indigenous points of view around water in the Americas and in Australia and how they embody themselves in their landscapes in relation to water. We’ll examine the language of issues such as access to water, and water rights and the concept of ownership of water. We’ll focus on case studies of current communities coping with the value and role of water in their communities. We’ll touch on aspects of the geography of water: aquifers, rivers, water sources, and practices such as irrigation and mapping to understand the ways that languages embody us in place, using as tools linguistic concepts such place names and toponyms, spacial orientations. The goal of the seminar is to build a base for an informed understanding of how knowledge is coded in languages, and shapes concepts and environmental practices.The course will consist of readings, films and discussion, and final project.

Location

Todd Union Room 202 (MW 12:30PM - 1:45PM)

This course introduces students to the study of the structure of human language. We will cover the six core areas of linguistic investigation: Phonetics (articulation, acoustics, and perception of speech sounds), Phonology (sound patterns), Morphology (internal structure of words and their organization in the mental lexicon), Syntax (internal structure of phrases and sentences), Semantics (word and sentence meaning), and Pragmatics (language use in context). The course focuses on developing skills in the areas of linguistic data analysis and interpretation of linguistic data in ways that aim to address theoretical and empirical issues in the study of language. In addition to the lecture students will need to register for a peer-led workshop.

Location

Morey Room 525 (MW 9:00AM - 10:15AM)

Peer led workshop for LING 110-2.

Location

Genesee Hall Room 323 (M 12:30PM - 1:45PM)

Peer led workshop for LING 110-2.

Location

Lattimore Room 413 (R 6:15PM - 7:30PM)

Peer led workshop for LING 110-2.

Location

Lattimore Room 413 (F 10:25AM - 11:40AM)

Peer-led workshop for 110-2

Location

Lattimore Room 413 (F 12:30PM - 1:45PM)

Peer-led workshop for 110-2

Location

Lechase Room 184 (F 3:25PM - 4:40PM)

This course introduces students to the study of the structure of human language. We will cover the six core areas of linguistic investigation: Phonetics (articulation, acoustics, and perception of speech sounds), Phonology (sound patterns), Morphology (internal structure of words and their organization in the mental lexicon), Syntax (internal structure of phrases and sentences), Semantics (word and sentence meaning), and Pragmatics (language use in context). The course focuses on developing skills in the areas of linguistic data analysis and interpretation of linguistic data in ways that aim to address theoretical and empirical issues in the study of language. In addition to the lecture students will need to register for a peer-led workshop.

Location

Lattimore Room 210 (TR 2:00PM - 3:15PM)

Required peer-led workshop for LING 110-1.

Location

Lattimore Room 513 (W 6:15PM - 7:30PM)

Peer-led workshop for LING 110-1.

Location

Bausch & Lomb Room 315 (R 9:40AM - 10:55AM)

Required peer-led workshop for LING 110-1.

Location

Todd Union Room 202 (R 4:50PM - 6:05PM)

Peer-led workshop for LING 110-1.

Location

Genesee Hall Room 309 (F 9:00AM - 10:15AM)

Required peer-led workshop for LING 110-1.

Location

Wegmans Room 1005 (F 10:25AM - 11:40AM)

Required peer-led workshop for LING 110-1.

Location

Lechase Room 184 (F 2:00PM - 3:15PM)

Peer led workshop for LING 110-2

Location

Genesee Hall Room 323 (M 10:25AM - 11:40AM)

Drawing on work from functional linguistics (e.g., Halliday, Hyland, Vande Kopple) and voice (Elbow), this course investigates the sentence—especially its rich potential for creating the writer’s meaning, persona, and voice. Through studying form-meaning relationships, we will see how sentence patterns shape meaning and affect readers’ interpretations not only in sentences, but also across paragraphs, essays, and larger works. Assignments will regularly involve analyzing texts chosen by students and playing purposefully with language. To aid analysis, GPT will be used to generate different versions of the “same” text, and AntConc, a simple corpus analysis tool, will help reveal textual patterns across large amounts of text. Through a final project, students will investigate some aspect of the sentence in a medium and context of their choice or address an interesting theoretical question about the sentence. This course is ideal for those interested in any kind of writing, writing education, or editing. Background in linguistics or grammar is not necessary. Open to undergraduates and graduate students.

Location

Rush Rhees Library Room G108 (TR 2:00PM - 3:15PM)

This course is a comprehensive review of the grammar of Modern Standard English. The course will be of interest to those who wish to sharpen their language skills, or to know more about the workings of the English language whether for practical, cognitive or creative ends. Drawing on work in mostly pre-theoretical, descriptive linguistics this course reveals the mechanics of Standard English structure, with occasional detours into the finesse of usage across registers (dialect to slang). Students will learn to develop the ability to see patterns in grammar, as well as its structural possibilities and limits. Assignments will regularly involve reflection on form, usage and speaker judgments. Through a final project, students will investigate some aspect of an English variety available to them. Throughout, students will be working with their data samples of English to explore how speaker choices lead to particular grammatical structures or yield ungrammaticality. Background in linguistics or grammar not needed.

Location

Hylan Building Room 203 (MW 12:30PM - 1:45PM)

This course looks at key ideas in linguistics, starting in Babylon and Ancient China and working towards the study of meaning in modern linguistic theory and philosophy of language. Among the topics we will look at are: writing and its influence on grammatical traditions; the advent of historical linguistics, linguistic phylogeny, and the comparative method; European structuralism; American structuralism; variation within and across languages; the rise of generative grammar; Chomskys philosophy of linguistics, including competence and I-language; literal meaning and beyond. Students will be expected to read a selection of primary literature and participate actively in class discussion. The course will be assessed by essays (essay questions and reading lists for each essay to be provided). Prerequisites: LING 110 & LING 210 OR LING 220

Location

Lattimore Room 513 (TR 2:00PM - 3:15PM)

In this seminar-style class, we will discuss the brain activities involved in language processing. Specific topics include speech perception, word recognition (both visual and spoken), sentence comprehension and production, aphasia, first and second language acquisition. Students are expected to read journal articles or book chapters and take turns leading class discussions.

Prerequisite: BCSC 152 or BCSC 261 or LING 216/BCSC 266

Location

Hylan Building Room 305 (TR 12:30PM - 1:45PM)

This course covers foundational concepts in computational linguistics and is designed for students with a strong background in formal linguistic methods but only rudimentary programming experience. Major focus is placed on the use of formal languages as a tool for understanding natural language as well as on developing students' ability to implement foundational algorithms pertaining to those formal languages. Topics include basic formal language theory, finite state phonological and morphological parsing, and syntactic parsing for context free grammars and mildly context sensitive formalisms.

Students who have taken the CSC17X series should consult with the instructor prior to enrollment, since there is overlap with a subset of the technical material covered in those courses. Conversely, while it is possible to enter this course with no programming experience and do well, students new to programming may wish to take CSC161 or to attend a CIRC programming bootcamp prior to taking this course.

Prerequisite: LING 110

Location

Lattimore Room 513 (MW 12:30PM - 1:45PM)

This course covers foundational concepts in computational linguistics and is designed for students with a strong background in formal linguistic methods but only rudimentary programming experience. Major focus is placed on the use of formal languages as a tool for understanding natural language as well as on developing students' ability to implement foundational algorithms pertaining to those formal languages. Topics include basic formal language theory, finite state phonological and morphological parsing, and syntactic parsing for context free grammars and mildly context sensitive formalisms. Students who have taken the CSC17X series should consult with the instructor prior to enrollment, since there is overlap with a subset of the technical material covered in those courses. Conversely, while it is possible to enter this course with no programming experience and do well, students new to programming may wish to take CSC161 or to attend a CIRC programming bootcamp prior to taking this course.

Location

Bausch & Lomb Room 315 (F 9:00AM - 10:15AM)

This course is intended to provide participants with an overview of research in an area of phonetics and phonology. Issues vary from term to term but may cover areas in segmental, metrical and intonational phonology and the phonology/phonetics interface. Prerequisites: LING 110, LING 210

Location

Lattimore Room 513 (MW 2:00PM - 3:15PM)

An examination of signed languages and the cognitive constraints that shape them, through a detailed consideration of the structure of American Sign Language and other natural signed languages of the world. Includes training in sign language notation and analysis. Prerequisites: ASL 106 in the immediately preceding semester or permission of the instructor. B or better in ASL 106.

Location

Lechase Room 160 (MW 12:30PM - 1:45PM)

This course is an in-depth introduction to the formal analysis of natural language meaning, employing techniques that have been developed in language and formal philosophy over the last century. Issues include intensionality, quantification, tense, presupposition, plurality, the analysis of discourse, and other current issues. Familiarity with syntax, logic, and/or computation are helpful.

Location

Lattimore Room 513 (TR 9:40AM - 10:55AM)

This course covers topics at the interface of syntax and semantics. No specific syntax or semantics background is required, though the equivalent of LING 225 is recommended.

Location

Lattimore Room 513 (TR 12:30PM - 1:45PM)

This is a hands-on class which allows you to work with a language consultant with the goal of writing a grammar sketch or a short research paper. At the end of this course, you will have acquired methods and techniques to describe a language not known to you previously. This includes recording and collection of data, data processing and analysis. The class is an opportunity to apply the knowledge of linguistic theory that you acquired during your major in linguistic research on an unfamiliar language. Another focus of this course is training in grammar writing skills. Ultimately, this course provides you with a solid basis to do fieldwork for language description and linguistic research in your own in the future. Prerequisites: LING 110, LING 210, LING 220, LING 225

Location

Lattimore Room 513 (MW 10:25AM - 11:40AM)

This is a hands-on class which allows you to work with a language consultant with the goal of writing a grammar sketch or a short research paper. At the end of this course, you will have acquired methods and techniques to describe a language not known to you previously. This includes recording and collection of data, data processing and analysis. The class is an opportunity to apply the knowledge of linguistic theory that you acquired during your major in linguistic research on an unfamiliar language. Another focus of this course is training in grammar writing skills. Ultimately, this course provides you with a solid basis to do fieldwork for language description and linguistic research in your own in the future.

Location

Lattimore Room 513 (TR 11:05AM - 12:20PM)