Topic: Linguistics Research Workshop
| Time | Days | Location | Instructor | GER | Credit | OPUS Class Number | Syllabus (Tentative) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2:00pm-4:30pm | W | Woodruff Library 215 | Marjorie Pak. | WRT. | 4 | 2752 | TBA. |
January 12, 2011- April 25, 2011
Prerequisites: A background in formal linguistic analysis will be assumed, so students who have not taken LING-201 or an equivalent course should consult with the instructor before enrolling. Students who took LING-340S-001 in Fall 2008 should not register for this course since there will be a significant amount of overlap in content.
Catalog Description: Investigation of a particular issue or topic in the study of language, linguistics, and communication. May be repeated when topic varies. Topics may include: the Romance languages; languages of the world; intercultural communication; words and the world; language and human nature.
Semester Details:
This course is designed to give students hands-on experience developing a research project in linguistics. Students will collect their own linguistic data through a variety of techniques, including sociolinguistic interviews, rapid-and-anonymous surveys, and text-based and speech-based corpora, and will analyze it by applying quantitative methods. We will, moreover, learn to critically assess the suitability of each data-collection method for various research questions in sound change, discourse analysis, historical syntax, and acquisition. Because progress in research depends crucially on sharing our findings with others, a central focus of the course will be on the development of writing and presentation skills. The class will resemble a workshop, with in-class exercises in data analysis, researching and assessing previous work, writing about background theoretical questions in linguistics, and presenting study results with visuals and text. At the end of the course students will present their work to their peers and submit a polished paper along with a one-page conference abstract. Students who successfully complete the course will be equipped to pursue independent research based on original linguistic data.
Required Textbooks, Articles, and Resources
- All assigned readings will be made available online.
Grading
| Assignment/Exam | Details | % of Total Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Grading will be based on in-class assignments and participation, several short take-home assignments, two short papers, a final presentation and a 15- to 20-page final paper. |
The schedule of courses on O.P.U.S. is the official listing of courses, including days and times they meet and the General Education Requirements they satisfy. Students should use course descriptions as general guidelines. Course requirements, grading details, book lists, and syllabi are subject to change.