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In order to succeed in this online course, you'll need regular Internet access, and a schedule of participating in assignments at least 2 times a week. Computers and/or wi-fi are available on-campus at SMC for your use.
In order to succeed in this online course, you'll need regular Internet access, and a schedule of participating in assignments at least 2 times a week. Computers and/or wi-fi are available on-campus at SMC for your use.
Our course is *asynchronous* with weekly assignment due dates--there are no scheduled Zoom meetings for lectures, discussions, or exams, in order to facilitate maximum flexibility. All instructions are posted to Canvas.
Our course is *asynchronous* with weekly assignment due dates--there are no scheduled Zoom meetings for lectures, discussions, or exams, in order to facilitate maximum flexibility. All instructions are posted to Canvas.
Course Description
Course Description
How does language work?
How does language work?
What tools can we use to describe the differences between languages? Why is language important? These are our essential questions this semester.
This course introduces students to the study of language by providing a basic overview of the field of linguistics and its three dimensions of language structure: the sound system (phonetics and phonology), vocabulary (morphology), and grammar (syntax), and the way linguistic structure and context give rise to meaning (semantics and pragmatics).
In addition, we will consider how social practices shape and are shaped by language use (sociolinguistics) and how language is acquired and learned.
The goals of the course are to provide a grounding in linguistics as a field of study, to provide basic analytic skills for viewing and discussing language from a variety of perspectives, and to bring students to a greater awareness of the relevance of language in our daily lives.
Linguistics has many interdisciplinary connections.
Linguistics has many interdisciplinary connections.
This course counts toward the SMC Global Citizenship and Humanities requirements, and is UC and Cal State transferable.
What passion can you bring to the study of linguistics?
What is your note-taking style?
Your active participation may include note-taking, formulating your own questions, and responding to your peers in discussion.
Textbook
Textbook
Our required textbook is:
Our required textbook is:
G. Yule, The Study of Language, 6th or 7th Edition, Cambridge University Press, 2017 or 2020. ISBN 978-1-316-60675-9 or ISBN 978-1108499453
This textbook includes free online resources you may find useful: www.cambridge.org/yule
A physical, reserve copy of this textbook is available in the SMC main library for 2-hour checkout.
The physical textbook is available for purchase in the SMC Campus Bookstore. Alternatively, you may wish to use the e-book version.
You are encouraged to approach the textbook critically:
Together, let’s question why information is presented the way it is,
Assess which communities and ways of speaking are (not) represented, and
Evaluate how this book presents a certain perspective on linguistics.
We will also go beyond the textbook:
We will also go beyond the textbook:
Additional assigned readings and materials will be posted to Canvas.
This may include podcasts, videos, blog posts, news articles, and research articles that I will choose in response to our discussion.
Are you having any trouble accessing the textbook?
Are you having any trouble accessing the textbook?
Please let me know... I'm happy to help you find alternative ways to be successful this course.
Building Online Community
Building Online Community
Here are some steps to help us work together to make our online classroom inviting.
1. Update your Canvas profile! (see this video for instructions)
Add a profile picture, and tell us a little bit about you.
What's your favorite book? Undergraduate major?
Which languages do you speak or read?
2. Consider how your choices of words and images impact our community.
When you participate in our online discussion forums, how do you want others to receive your perspective?
Do you like to use .gifs to communicate?
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