Linguistics 201

Introduction to Language in the Humanities

Autumn 2005

MW 12:30-2:18, Enarson Hall 212

 

Syllabus                                       Schedule                                      Homework                      Link                                Grade

 

Instructor: Hyunsook Shin                                     

Office: 225 Oxley Hall                                             Mailbox: 222 Oxley Hall

Phone: 292-0775                                                    E-mail: shin@ling.ohio-state.edu

Course Web Page: www.ling.ohio-state.edu/~shin/201

Office hours: M W 2:30-3:30 or by appointment

 

Textbooks:

Tserdanelis, G. & Wong, W. Y. P. (eds), 2004. Language Files, 9th edition.

(for selected answers to the exercises, http://www.ling.ohio-state.edu/publications/LF9-answers/)

Bauer, L. & Trudgill, P. (eds), 1998. Language Myths. London: Penguin Books.

Please bring the Language Files to class every day.

 

Course Description and Objectives:

This course explores questions related to human language by examining its functions and structures as a system of communication. By the end of this quarter, you should:

1.        have a general understanding of human language, how it functions and changes.

2.        have a heightened sensitivity to the language that we encounter and use every day.

3.        be more aware of differences and similarities in different languages and dialects.

 

Course Requirements

 

Reading: Your reading is indispensable for your understanding and participation in class. Please read the relevant Language Files ahead of the class.

 

Homework: Homework assignments are designed so that you can apply the knowledge you have learned in class. Every assignment should be handed in at the beginning of the class. Observe the due date for each homework assignment. Penalty will apply for any late submission. You can work together with other classmates, but write up your answers separately. Please type or write legibly.

 

Tests:

(1) Midterm & Final: Mid-term exam will be given on Wednesday, October 26th in class. The final exam will be on Tuesday, December 6th. The final exam will be comprehensive, but weighted towards the material covered after the midterm.

(2) Quizzes: You will be given 4 short in-class quizzes, and the one you get the lowest grade will not be counted for grading. For the exact dates, see the schedule.

 

Make-up Policy: No make-up exams or quizzes will be given unless there is a documented university accepted reason such as serious illness or a family emergency.

 

Presentation & Group-work: You will be expected to be part of a group and present current issues related to language, which is based on Language Myths. More information will be announced in the class.

In order to help your understanding, in-class exercises will be given that requires you to collaborate with other students. You are expected to actively participate in the groupwork exercise and the discussion following it. One person from each group hand in the exercise-sheet with names of all the group members after the discussion with his/her own name in the first line.

 

Linguistics outside of the classroom (LOC): 5% of your final grade is determined through LOC participation. This requirement is explained fully in the handout entitled “Linguistics Outside of the Classroom: Talks & Experiments”. In order to receive the full 5%, you are required to do ONE of the followings:

a) Attend two talks and complete two talk questionnaires, OR

b) Participate in two experiments and complete two experiment questionnaires, OR

c) Attend one talk and participate in one experiment, and complete questionnaires for both.

 

You are responsible to check the following websites and plan your own schedule

http://ling.ohio-state.edu/courses/201/talks.html

http://ling.ohio-state.edu/research/experiments/

Hand in the questionnaire within a week you participate in LOC and every questionnaire should be given to me by the final day of the class.

 

Grading

1.           Homework                                                                            20%

2.           Quizzes                                                                                 20%

3.           Mid-term exam                                                                      20%

4.           Final exam                                                                            25%

5.           Presentation & Group-work                                                    10%

6.           Linguistics Outside of the Classroom                                       5%

 

Grading Scale

A

93-100

B+

87-89

C+

77-79

D+

67-69

A-

90-92

B

83-86

C

73-76

D

60-66

 

 

B-

80-82

C-

70-72

E

0-59

 

Academic misconduct: Any material submitted for this course, including assignments, quizzes, exams must represent your own work. Students are reminded that academic misconduct is a violation of the code of Student Conduct and, per faculty rule 3335-31-02, must be reported to the Committee on Academic Misconduct. Some examples of academic misconduct are: violation of course rules as contained in the course syllabus, providing or receiving information during quizzes and examinations, submitting plagiarized work for an academic requirement, and alteration of grades by the student in an effort to change the earned grade or credit. Any suspected academic misconduct will be pursued to the full extent of University disciplinary measures.

 

Students with disabilities: Students who need an accommodation due to a disability should contact the instructor to arrange an appointment as soon as possible to discuss the course format, to anticipate needs, and to explore potential accommodations. The instructor relies on the Office of Disability Services for assistance in verifying the need for accommodations and developing accommodation strategies. Students with disabilities who have not previously contacted the Office for Disability Services are encouraged to do so (614-292-3307; www.ods.ohio-state.edu)

 

Course coordinator: You are encouraged to talk to me about any questions or concerns you may have about this course throughout the quarter, and I will try my best to resolve them. If in any case you feel anything is not resolved satisfactorily, you may consult the coordinator for this course, Dr. Hope Dawson, who can be reached by email at hdawson@ling.ohio-state.edu