LIN 306 Introduction to the Study of Language Dr.

Nora England
Spring 2017 Unique 40895 MWF 11-12 CLA 0.126

Office/Hours: CLA 4.732, MWF 10:00-11:00. Phone: 471-9014. Email: nengland@austin.utexas.edu

TA:
Grader:

This course introduces you to the study of human language: how human languages are structured, how
they function in society, how language is acquired by children and adult learners, how the languages of
the world evolved, how the world’s languages are both different and similar, how language is connected
to human biology and culture, and how linguistic diversity and multilingualism are factors in politics and
society. In short, everything you always wanted to know about language, and maybe a few things you
never even thought to ask about!

Textbook: Dawson, Hoe C. and Michael Phelan (eds.), Language Files, 12th edition. Publisher: The
Ohio State University Press, ISBN 9780814252703. (BE SURE to get THIS BOOK (first time it is being
used at UT) and this edition; there are other editions that are very different and will not work AT ALL.)
Links website: http://linguistics.osu.edu/research/pubs/lang-files/links

Website for phonetics: Ladefoged, Peter. International Phonetic Alphabet.

http://phonetics.ucla.edu/course/chapter1/chapter1.html

Homework: This is a homework-intensive course. Homework is assigned almost every week, and it
must be turned in at the beginning of the class session when it is due. Each assignment is noted on the
course outline and is due on Fridays. No homework will be accepted late except for a very good reason,
like a documented illness, and then only when you have notified me or a TA in advance of your absence.
Send an e-mail message to me or a TA. No homework will be accepted by e-mail; it must be submitted
on paper. If you do not turn in a homework assignment, your grade for that homework will be 0. If you
turn it in, your minimum grade (if complete) will be 7 (out of a possible 10). Grades of 8 will be given for
average homeworks, 9 for good, and 10 for very good. Therefore, turning in something is much better
than not turning in anything at all. Homework counts 24% of your grade.

Exams: There are three scheduled in-class examinations, as indicated on the course outline. Each will
count 23% of the grade. There is no final comprehensive exam.

Make-ups and late work: Make-up exams will be given only for good cause such as a documented
illness, an excused absence (such as participation in a UT sports team), or a conflict with a religious
holiday. Note that University policy requires you to notify us of a pending absence at least 14 days before
a religious holiday. If you know you are going to miss an exam, and you have a very good reason, contact
me or a TA by e-mail before the fact, not after. Notification must be in writing.

Attendance: Attendance is required. You are permitted to have three unexcused absences. Each
unexcused absence over three will count as one point (out of 100) of your final grade, up to a maximum
of five points. You should sign in on the attendance sheet when it is passed around in each class. Tests
will cover class as much as readings, so regular attendance will help you with them. Coming late to class,
leaving early, or dropping off your homework and then leaving count as an absence.

Experiment-or-Lecture requirement: This requirement is designed to allow students to gain some

familiarity with some kinds of linguistic research. Students may fulfill it either by participating in one
experiment that lasts approximately one hour, or by attending one lecture that will be held outside
regular class times. The experiments are part of ongoing research in the department and will
illustrate features of language structure and use that are relevant to topics covered in the core
linguistics curriculum. The lectures will report on new research in linguistics. This requirement is
worth 2% and there is no partial credit. NOTE WELL: Don't leave this requirement to the end of the
semester! Detailed instructions are on Canvas.

Grades: Each exam counts 23% of your final grade. The homework counts for 24%. Attendance counts
5% and participation in a linguistic experiment or lecture counts 2%. +/- grades will be used for the final
grade.

Students with disabilities: If you have a disability you may request appropriate academic
accommodations from the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, Services for Students with
Disabilities, 471-6259, http://diversity.utexas.edu/disability/

Academic integrity: You may discuss your homework assignments with other students in the class, but
you must do all your own work. Do not share information during tests, and do not let someone else sign
the attendance sheet for you or sign in for someone else. Your homework assignments must be written up
individually. IMPORTANT: We suggest that you do NOT discuss homework on line, since it is then
much harder to make sure your written work is your own. Assignments that are similar in ways that
suggest copying will receive no credit. Any form of cheating is taken very seriously, and if you violate
University rules on academic dishonesty you will be subject to disciplinary penalties, including the
possibility of failure in the course and/or dismissal from the university. For more information please visit
the Student Judicial Services website at http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs/acint_student.php.

COURSE OUTLINE:
All reading assignments are due by the Monday class of the week they are assigned, except where noted.
All homework exercises (from the end of the chapter except where noted) are due in the Friday class.

Week Starts Topic Reading Assignment

1 1/18 Introduction Chap. 1 (Friday) 1: File 1.6: 11 (i), 19, 20, 21
2 1/23 Phonetics Chap. 2 2: File 2.8: 6, 7, 14, 17 b-k
3 1/30 Phonology Chap. 3 3: File 3.6: 23, 27, 36, 37
4 2/6 Morphology Chap. 4 4: File 4.6: 31, 35, 38, 42
5 2/113 Review --- Exam 1, weeks 1-5 (Fri 2/17)
6 2/20 Syntax Chap. 5 5: File 5.6: 2, 16, 18, plus handout
7 2/29 Semantics & Chaps. 6 & 7 6: File 6.5: 8, 23, 27; File 7.6: 41
Pragmatics
8 3/6 Language Acquisition Chap. 8 7: File 8.6: 8, 12, 13
SPRING BREAK (3/13-3/18)
9 3/20 Psycholinguistics Chap. 9 8: File 9.8: 1, 8, 20 h-o, 21
10 3/27 Review --- Exam 2, weeks 6-10 (Fri 3/31)
11 4/3 Language Variation; Chaps. 10 & 11 9: Handout
Language & Culture
12 4/10 Language Contact Chap. 12 10: File 12.8: 11, 12, 17, 18
13 4/17 Language Change Chap. 13 11: File 13.8: 16, 32, 36, 38
14 4/24 Animal Comm; Chaps. 14 & 15 12: File 14.4: 13; File 15.4: 7, 9
Writing
15 5/1 Review --- Exam 3, weeks 11-15 (Fri 5/5)