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Anthropology |
Germanic and Slavic |
Philosophy |
Theatre |
Asian Studies |
Hebrew |
Psychology |
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English |
Linguistics |
Sociology |
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French |
Mathematics |
Spanish |
| ANTH 103 Languages of the World |
| This course aims to equip students with some basic facts about the world's languages, a fundamental prerequisite to understanding the nature of human language. We will be examining: (1) the diversity of languages across space and time, and (2) the fundamental similarities of languages. We will address a range of questions about language through an exploration of the following areas: language families and historical relationships, linguistic typology, language universals, sound and structure features of the world's languages, and writing systems. |
| ANTH 315 Cognitive Anthropology |
| Cross-cultural investigation of human thinking and rationality. Assesses linguistic relativity; cognitive rationalism; comparative aspects of human classification and nomenclature of diverse semantic fields; the use of linguistic and cultural universals in attempts to define the nature of human thought processes; possible relationships among sociocultural evolution and the size and structure of given vocabularies in unrelated languages; and the problem of irrationality. See ANTH 615. |
| ANTH 329 The Nature of Language |
| Language as a reflection of the human mind and the role of language in defining the essence of humanity. Language and the expression of social values. Emphasis on analysis of primary linguistic data. Critical examination of theories of linguistic structure. |
| ANTH 330 History of Writing |
| ANTH 331 Introduction to Historical Linguistics |
| The investigation of language change and its causes. The reconstruction of earlier linguistic forms. The Indo-European language family. Selected problems in phonological and grammatical reconstruction. |
| ANTH 340 Language and Culture (3) |
| Language, the complex symbolic system of our species, has the power to index, refer to, frame and reframe social reality. Cultures, shared symbolic and interactional systems, both shape and are shaped by language and its use. This course will explore speech communities around the world, their social practices and the language schemata which ground them: the quotidian instance of “asking for a drink” in Indonesia, the ritual of trading insults in inner city Detroit, the routine of formal and phatic greetings among the Kuna. |
| ANTH 344 Dialectology (3) |
| Introduction to language variation both geographically and socially. The course looks at the history and methods of dialectology as well as the ways speakers demonstrate identity through speech patterns. |
| ANTH 359 Introduction to Syntax |
| Introduction of transformational generative syntax, with examples from selected areas of English grammar. Formal models in grammatical description. Emphasis on the logic of linguistic argumentation. |
| ANTH 363 Linguistic Phonetics |
| The course offers an overview of articulatory and acoustic phonetics with emphasis on matching acoustic cues closely with the articulatory gestures. The first part of the course will study the articulatory and acoustic cues to range of English and non-English speech sounds with information about the normal range of variation. The second part will focus on collecting and interpreting acoustic data, and using such data as evidence to solve phonological problems in normal and pathological speech. |
| ANTH 364 Studies in Phonology |
| Prerequisite: ANTH 363. This course provides an introduction to phonological analysisand theory, with strong emphasis on description and analysis of data from a wide variety of languages. Major issues to be addressed include universal principles of human phonological systems, language-specific variation, constraints on representation of rules, the relationship of phonology to morphological and syntactic components of the grammar, and the historical underpinnings of current theoretical models. |
| ANTH 365 Morphology |
| This course provides an introduction to prosodic and non-prosodic morphology with emphasis on data analysis and argumentation. With data from a variety of languages, the first part of the course will examine non-prosodic morphological processes to highlight the typology of word structure across languages. The second part will examine morphological processes conditioned by prosody, and consider the various frameworks for analyzing the data; eventually, the course will work toward a dormal model like that of McCarth and Prince’s “Theory of Prosodic Morphology”. The main objectives of the course are: (1) to learn to analyze morphological data; (2) to learn to compare alternative analysis for a given set of data and to find evidence to choose between the alternative; (3) to learn to present linguistic analysis and argumentation in a coherent essay. |
| ANTH 366 Discourse Analysis: Pragmatics of Language Use |
| Study of written and spoken texts from a variety of languages and language use contexts. Focus on structural aspects of language (noun phrase construction and anaphora, topicalization, focus constructions, word order, deictics, and definite reference) as they relate to the situated use of language. |
| ANTH 367 Language and its Acquisition |
| This course provides an introduction to issues such as language and its relation to animal communication; the genetic basis of language ability and acquisition; neurological aspects of linguistic knowledge; first language acquisition. Emphasis will be laid on data collection, description, and analysis. |
| ANTH 368 Language and Power |
| Exploration of the ways that language indexes, reflects, and constructs power. Cross-cultural study of the interrelationship of social ascriptions, attitudes toward groups and their members, and the speech patterns of in-group/out-group members. Examination of the manipulation of power and its linguistic correlates in the domains of medicine, the media, education, and the law. Effects of language policy, especially officialization and standardization, on speakers of minority languages or codes. |
| ANTH 369 Language and Gender |
| An exploration of the structures of language, phonological, morphological, syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic, as they index, incross-culturally. |
| ANTH 640 Culture and Language |
| ANTH 642 Linguistics Field Methods |
| Prerequisite: approval of instructor. Acquiring and using techniques for conducting linguistic field work. Investigation of one or more languages by working with native speakers. Emphasis on defining problems, developing and testing hypotheses. |
| ANTH 670 Spoken Nahuatl |
| The essentials of Nahuatl phonology, morphology, and syntax. Conversational practice and laboratory sessions along with emphasis on linguistic analysis of the language. |
| ANTH 672 Spoken Yoruba |
| This course provides an introduction to the Yoruba language. Emphasis on grammar and vocabulary development, listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Practice in oral discussion will be enhanced by weekly dramatical presentations, poetry recitals, and story-telling. |
| ANTH 680 Spoken Yucatecan Maya |
| The essentials of Yucatecan Maya phonology, morphology, and syntax. Oral/aural exercises and conversational practice with a native speaker. |
| ANTH 681 Introduction to Maya Hieroglyphs |
| A survey of present knowledge about the nature of the pre-Columbian Maya writing system, including calendrical notation, astronomical calculations, the structure and content of phoneticism, and its relationship to other Mesoamerican writing systems. |
| ANTH 682 Classical Yucatec |
| Morphology and syntax of Classical Yucatecan Maya. Palaeography and translation of Colonial Maya documents representing the following genres: land surveys and transfers, wills, official complaints, divinatory and/or prophetic texts. |
| ASTJ 101, 102 Beginning Japanese I, II |
ASTJ 101 Beginning Japanese I (4) Staff.
Emphasizes conversational Japanese based on Romaji text. Includes
study of basic grammar and introduction of hiragana, and katakana. |
| ASTJ 203, 204 Intermediate Japanese I, II |
| ASTJ 203 Intermediate Japanese I (4) Staff.
Prerequisite: ASTJ 102 or equivalent. Conversation, reading, and
writing based on text in hiragana, katakana and kanji. Continuation
of study of complex grammar and introduction of approximately 100
additional kanji. ASTJ 204 Intermediate Japanese II (4) Staff. Prerequisite: ASTJ 203 or equivalent. Conversation, reading, and writing based on text in hiragana, katakana, and kanji. Continuation of study of complex grammar and introduction of approximately 150 additional kanji. |
| ENLS 402 Structure of English Language |
| Staff. An introduction to the structures of language and its subsystems, phonology, semantics, and syntax with special attention to current linguistic approaches to grammar. Students enrolled in the English Teacher Education Program may use 402 in place of one 500-level course. |
| ENLS 405 History of the Language |
| Mr. Kuczynski, Mr. Liuzza. Consideration of general linguistic processes and the social history of the language in the earlier periods. |
| ENLS 407 Introduction to Old English |
| Mr. Kuczynski, Mr. Liuzza. A brief introduction to the grammar of Old English and a study of Old English poetry and prose in their cultural contexts. Readings in both Old English and translation. |
| FREN 314 French Phonetics |
| Mr. Klingler. Prerequisite: FREN 203 or equivalent. The study of the sound system of French for improving pronunciation. Students learn the fundamental concepts of phonetics, phonemics, and contrastive analysis while also practicing French pronunciation and learning to convert French spelling into phonetic transcription using the International Phonetic Alphabet. Independent work in the language laboratory is an important component of the course. Option for the major and minor in French. |
| FREN 410 French in Louisiana |
| Mr. Klingler. Prerequisite: 300 level or equivalent. An introduction to the French-related language varieties spoken in Louisiana: Cajun, Creole and Colonial French. Examines the history of their implantation and development in Louisiana, their basic structural features, and the main sociolinguistic issues surrounding their use. Attention will also be given to language planning measures currently being taken to revitalize the French language in the state. A writing practicum is available. French majors may use it to fulfill the college writing requirement. Same as FREN 610. |
| FREN 411 Field Research on French in Louisiana (3) |
| Mr. Klingler. No prerequisites but FREN 314, 410, and/or courses in linguistics are highly recommended. Students will interview and record speakers of Cajun, Creole, and Colonial French in various parts of Louisiana. Working individually and in groups, they will then transcribe the recordings for purposes of linguistic description and analysis. A writing practicum is available. French majors may use it to fulfill the college writing requirement. Same as FREN 611 |
| FREN 416 Translation Theory and Practice |
| Mr. Watts. Prerequisite: 300 level or equivalent. This course will provide students with the tools to translate a variety of types of texts (mostly literary, but also legal, journalistic, commercial, etc.) and to introduce them to translation theory as it relates to the problem of translating cultural difference and to the issues of originality, authorship, and the “ownership” of the text. Students will translate from French to English as well as from English to French. Course taught principally in English. Reading knowledge of French required. Same as FREN 616. |
| FREN 611 Field Research on French in Louisiana |
| See FREN 311 for course description. |
| FREN 621 History of the French Language |
| Ms. Poe. The development of Latin into French and subsequent evolution of the latter through the Old French period. |
| FREN 691 Special Problems in French Linguistics |
| Mr. Klingler, Ms. Poe. Subject varies with instructor. Principally reading and research. |
| GERM 365 Advanced Russian Grammar |
| GERM 372 Translation: Theory and Practice of an Impossible Art |
| Mr. Fisher. Prerequisite: approval of instructor. Proficiency in German required. Course introduces students to both practical and theoretical problems posed by translation in general and by English-German translation in particular. This class will learn by practicing translation and by reading theoretical texts about translation. Texts will include literature, news reports, and film subtitles. |
| GERM 607 Slavic Contributions to Linguistics |
| Mr. Cummins. Lectures, readings and discussions, in English, of the Prague and Moscow schools of linguistics. Markedness theory, child language, discourse theory, formalist criticism, pragmatics and related topics. Open to juniors, seniors and graduate students in linguistics, literary theory, and allied disciplines. May be counted toward the major with departmental approval. Includes a unit on the structure of German. May be counted toward a German Cultural Studies major. |
| HBRW 101 Introductory Hebrew |
| HBRW 102 Intermediate Hebrew |
| LING 301 Semantics |
| Mr. Howard. What does the word “cat” mean? This course looks at three answers. One says that “cat” is just the set of all cats. Another says that “cat” refers to a prototypical cat, one described by the characteristics common to all the cats that you have ever seen. The third answer says that “cat” is the word that the brain associates with the cats that you saw when you were younger. Each of these answers assumes that the mind works in a certain way, so the right one tells us something about how the mind works in situations that have nothing to do with the meaning of “cat”. |
| LING 343 Semantics of Natural Language |
| Mr. Forbes. An introduction to the study of meaning in natural languages. The central techniques involve extending the methods of logical semantics for formal languages. No prerequisites, but prior exposure either to generative grammar (e.g., ANTH 359) or symbolic logic (e.g., PHIL 121) would not be wasted. Same as PHIL 343. |
| LING 389 Service Learning |
| Staff. Prerequisite: Departmental approval. Students complete a service activity in the community in conjunction with the content of a three-credit corequisite course. |
| LING 411 Brain and Language |
| Mr. Howard. The goal of this course is to learn how the brain is organized to produce and comprehend language and to understand linguistic disorders attendant on brain damage. There is an optional service learning component in which students can work with a speech therapist at a local health-care provider. |
| LING H491, H492 Independent Studies |
| LING H499, H500 Honors Thesis |
| Staff. Prerequisites: approval of program coordinator and course director. Thesis may involve field study as well as intensive reading and research in a selected subfield within linguistics. |
| LING 681, 682 Special Topics in Linguistics (3, 3) |
| Staff. Special topics in linguistics. For description consult the director. |
| MATH 111, 112 Probability and Statistics |
| Staff. Prerequisite: high school algebra. Elementary probability theory with applications; random variables; distributions including a thorough discussion of the binomial, Poisson, and normal distributions; central limit theorem; histograms; sampling distributions; confidence intervals; tests of hypotheses; linear models; regression and correlation; chi-square test; non-parametric statistics; bioassay; sensitivity experiments; sequential test. 111 is a prerequisite for 112. |
| MATH 301 Probability and Statistics |
| Staff. Prerequisite: MATH 221. An introduction to statistics and the necessary probability background. Binomial, Poisson, and normal distribution; independence; sampling distribution; confidence intervals and hypothesis tests on the mean; variance; proportions; goodness of fit; contingency tables; linear regression. |
| PHIL 121 Elementary Symbolic Logic |
| Mr. Forbes, Mr. Lee, Mr. Lodge. The course concerns techniques of analyzing sentences and arguments by uncovering the formal structures and relations which underlie them. This involves translating ordinary language into the symbolic formulas of elementary logical systems and proving formalized arguments. This course satisfies the mathematics proficiency requirement. |
| PHIL 304 Mathematical Logic |
| Mr. Forbes. Prerequisite: PHIL 121 or two courses in mathematics. An introduction to and survey of the mathematical study of formalized logical systems. |
| PHIL 343 Semantics of Natural Language |
| Mr. Forbes. An introduction to the study of meaning in natural languages. The central techniques involve extending the methods of logical semantics for formal languages. No prerequisites, but prior exposure either to generative grammar (e.g., ANTH 359) or symbolic logic (e.g., PHIL 121) would not be wasted. Same as LING 343. |
| PHIL 380 Language and Thought |
| Mr. Bogdan. An introduction to the philosophy of language and mental representation. Major topics: the relation between language and thought, models of mind, representation as computation, the language of thought, mental imagery, propositional attitudes, meaning and intentionality. |
| PHIL 606 Advanced Symbolic Logic |
| Mr. Lee. Prerequisite: PHIL 121 or equivalent. Translation of propositions into quantified formulas with single-place and relational predicates. Deduction by quantification rules. Also, theorematic development of an axiomatic logistic system. |
| PHIL 618 Mental Representation |
| Mr. Bogdan. Prerequisite: approval of instructor. A survey and evaluation of major theories of mental representation drawing on recent work in philosophy of mind, cognitive psychology, linguistics, semantics, and artificial intelligence. Major topics: linguistic representation, the language of thought, propositional attitudes, mental imagery, and innate representations. |
| PHIL 662 Philosophical Logic |
| Mr. Forbes. Prerequisite: approval of instructor. Central topics in philosophical logic are covered, including reference, predication, vagueness, logical form, counterfactuals, propositional attitudes, logical truth, paradoxes. |
| PSYC 307 Thinking and Information Processing |
| Staff. Prerequisite: PSYC 212. Experiments and theories pertaining to processing, transformation, retention, and utilization of stimulus information. Perceptual coding and judgments, concept formation, problem solving, and decision processes. Application of statistical procedures. Satisfies laboratory requirement. |
| PSYC 314 Sensory Processes and Perception |
| Staff. Prerequisite: PSYC 212. A survey of the sensory and perceptual systems with emphasis on stimulus specification, methodology of experimentation, application of statistical procedure, and physiological bases of sensory processes and perception. Satisfies laboratory requirement. |
| PSYC 351, 352 Special Projects in Psychology (adviser approval required) |
| Staff. Prerequisite: approval of supervising faculty member. Supervised research activity for psychology majors. |
| PSYC 367 Brain and Behavior |
| Mr. Colombo, Mr. Dohanich. Prerequisite: PSYC 100, H101 or 102. Lectures cover the function and structure of the nervous system and the role of brain activity in the regulation of behavior. This course provides psychology majors with a first exposure to the biological bases of behavior and is not recommended for students who have taken other courses in this area of study. Credit may not be received for both CELL 123 and PSYC 367 or PSYC 367. |
| PSYC 657 Cognitive Neuroscience |
| Mr. Dien. Prerequisites: PSYC 212 and PSYC 367. An introduction to the use of neuroimaging methods such as electroencephalography and functional magnetic resonance imaging to answer questions about cognitive psychology and the use of cognitive psychology to answer questions about neuroscience. Topics will cover such issues as perception, attention, memory, language, motor systems, and emotions. |
| PSYC 658 Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory |
| Mr. Dien. Corequisite: PSYC 657. Prerequisites: PSYC 212 and PSYC 367 or approval of instructor. A laboratory course in which students will be introduced to the methods of cognitive neuroscience, including neural networks, event-related potentials, and functional magnetic resonance imaging. Students will design and carry out simple cognitive experiments to examine issues of hemispheric laterality. |
| SOCI 303 Introduction to Research Design |
| Staff. Prerequisite: SOCI 201 or approval of instructor. Logic and techniques of social research, the relationships between theory and method, and alternative strategies in data collection. |
| SOCI 304 Introduction to Research Analysis |
| Staff. Prerequisite: SOCI 303 or approval of instructor. Basic training in descriptive and inferential statistics with social science applications. Topics include measurement, tabular and graphic displays of data, central tendency, dispersion, probability, estimation, hypothesis testing, and linear regression. |
| SOCI 644 Language Behavior and Communications |
| Staff. Prerequisites: SOCI 304 and SOCI 322 or approval of instructor. An examination of the intersection of psychosocial processes and the machinery of grammar and lexicon. Examination of the areas of aphasia, mental disorders, language acquisition, and cognition with an emphasis on cross-cultural methods and experimental design. |
| SPAN 426 Spanish Phonetics and Phonology |
| Mr. Howard. Prerequisite: SPAN 203. A detailed investigation of the speech sounds of Spanish, their organization, and their proper articulation. Practice both in class and with recorded material. |
| SPAN 427 Iberoamerican Dialectology |
| Mr. Howard. Survey of the varieties of Spanish spoken in Spain, Latin America, and the United States. We will look at variation in pronunciation and grammatical usage, such as the tu/usted/vos, as well as variation by age, gender, and social class. |
| SPAN 601 Methods of Teaching Spanish and Portuguese |
| Mr. Howard. Prerequisite: junior standing. A general survey of applied linguistics, teaching and testing methodology, and language laboratory use. |
| SPAN 606 Hispanic Bilingualism |
| Mr. Howard. This course is to teach students about the sociology of language from specific cases of language content and bilingualism in the Spanish-speaking world. The student will learn about Spanish in many varied social settings, as well as about first and second language acquisition; language maintenance, shift, and death; code switching; speech production and processing; and bilingual education and language policy. |
| SPAN 608 Special Topics in Applied Linguistics (3) |
| Staff. The purpose of this course is to assist future teachers interested in second language learning and teaching, both in terms of theoretical issues and practical implications. Subject varies every semester. |
| SPAN 651 History of the Spanish Language |
| Ms. Dangler, Mr. Howard. Evolution of Castilian from pre-Roman times through the Middle Ages with consideration of internal change and outside influences. |
| THEA 309 Stage Speech |
| Mr. Schierhorn. Corrective work on individual regional speech habits, articulation, and phrasing. |
Last update December 27, 2007