In this course, we will consider language from a social perspective, one in which language only becomes meaningful in its social context. A social approach emphasizes the ways we use language to create and manage our social identities, such as gender, ethnicity, and many others. Some of the topics to be explored touch on dialects, regional variation, slang, minority languages, power and status, language and gender, bilingualism, code-switching, pidgins and creoles, and some applied fields of sociolinguistics (e.g., language and law, language and healthcare, etc.)
taught every semester, including an online section in the summer
satisfies options for BA English, BA PWR, BA Linguistics, BA Anthropology, & BBA (Communication Option)
This course is an introduction to the study of language from the perspective of the academic discipline known as linguistics. Linguistics is a mongrel discipline in many ways. A linguist may borrow ideas and theories from anthropology, sociology, pedagogy, philosophy, psychology, or other areas, and may ask questions that reflect this variety of disciplines. For example, does language control our view of reality? How do languages resemble and differ from each other? Is language biologically innate or is it learned socially? Do animals have language? What role does body language play in communication? Is there one correct way to speak English? What kind of language should be taught in school? This course is designed to introduce non-linguists to the study of language and to begin the process of answering these and many other language-related questions.
textbook: Linguistics for Non-Linguists (2010, 5th ed) by Frank Parker & Kathryn Riley
Modern English Grammar
cross-listed as ENG 3302 & LING 3312
taught every spring semester
for BBA, ENG 3302 satisfies Communication Option
This course examines the structure of present-day English. Our primary goal is to talk explicitly about the conventions of English grammar that native speakers of English already know implicitly. Another course goal is to give students the tools they need to discuss grammar issues with precision and clarity (as editors might) and to construct sentences effectively and with less anxiety (as writers should).