Course Descriptions

Anthropology 204/English 220.  Study of Language.

(GER 3) Fall and Spring (4,4)  Staff.

An introduction to linguistics, the scientific study of human language.  Considers languages as structured systems of form and meaning, with attention also to the biological, psychological, cultural, and social aspects of language and language use.

English 303.  History of the English Language.

Fall (3)  Taylor.

A study of the history of the English language from Anglo-Saxon to the present.  Some attention is given to contemporary developments in "World English."

English 304.  Generative Syntax.

(GER 3)  Fall (3)  Reed.  Prerequisite:  ANTH 204/ENGL 220.
    This introduction to generative syntax investigates the structures and operations underlying sentences currently used by speakers of English.  The course focuses on one linguistic model, with attention given to linguistic theory, alternative models, and issues in syntax and semantics.

English 307.  Phonetics and Phonology.

(GER 3)  Spring (3)  Lunden.  Prerequisite:  ANTH 204/ENGL 220.

A study of sound patterns and word-formation rules in English and other languages.  Focus on analysis with some attention to theoretical ideas.

English 400.  Meaning and Understanding in Western Cultural Thought.

(GER 4A) Fall (3) Taylor.

A critical approach to the history of Western thinking about meaning, understanding, language, and mind:  tracing the integration of these topics into Western cultural and intellectual traditions, from Classical Greece and Rome up to modern developments in twentieth-century European and American thought.  No prerequisites.

Anthropology 411/English 404.  Historical Linguistics.

(GER 3)  Spring (3)  Martin.  Prerequisite:  ANTH 204/ENGL 220.

A study of the kinds of change which languages may undergo.  Covers the nature and motivation of linguistic evolution, and the methods by which unattested early stages of known languages may be reconstructued.

Anthropology 412/English 405.  Descriptive Linguistics.

(GER 3)  Spring (3)  Reed, Martin.  Prerequisites:  ENGL 304 or ENGL 307, or consent of instructor.

A study of contemporary methods of linguistic analysis, with emphasis on data drawn from a wide variety of languages;  in-depth analysis of a single language.  Language universals, language types, and field methods are discussed.

Anthropology 413/English 406.  Language and Society.

(GER 3)  Spring (3)  Taylor.  Prerequisites:  ANTH 204/ENGL 220 and one from ENGL 303, ENGL 307, or ANTH/ENGL 415, or consent of instructor.

A study of the place of language in society and of how our understanding of social structure, conflict, and change affect our understanding of the nature of language.

Anthropology 415/English 415.  Linguistic Anthropology.

(GER 3) Fall (3) Bragdon.  Prerequisite:  ANTH 204/ENGL 220.

This course will introduce students to the history and theories of linguistic anthropology with emphasis on North American languages.  Students will approach these subjects through readings, class discussions, and problem sets.

Anthropology/English 418.  Language Patterns:  Types and Universals.

Fall (3) Martin.  Prerequisite:  ANTH 204/ENGL 220.

A survey of common patterns and constructions in language ranging from word order to case, agreement, voice, aspect, relative clauses, interrogation, and negation.  Major themes include the unity and diversity of language and the techniques used to measure it.

English 464.  Topics in Linguistics.

Fall and Spring (3,3)  Staff.  Prerequisite:  ANTH 204/ENGL 220, or consent of instructor.

Investigation of a major subfield of linguistics.  This course may be repeated for credit.

English 474.  Research Seminar in Linguistics.

Spring (4) Charity, Martin, Reed, Taylor.  Prerequisite:  ANTH 204/ENGL 220 and permission of instructor.

Study in depth and independent research/writing about a topic in linguistics. Students who are not linguistics majors may enroll with instructor's permission. May be repeated for credit with different topic.