Spring Syllabus

Linguistics is the scientific study of language. This is a basic course in Linguistics which is designed to give an idea about the directions and branches in the study of Linguistics. In this course we will see how sound systems, word formation, sentence formation, discourse and meaning are analyzed in the domain of Linguistics. We will also see what role the brain plays in the production and perception of language. Issues related to language variation and change and language acquisition will also be addressed in the course. We will also try to have some hands-on experience in analyzing various languages during the course.

Instructor: Priyankoo Sarmah

Website: http://www.plaza.ufl.edu/priyanku/3010/3010.htm

Office: 4122 Turlington

Office Hours: Friday 12.30 to 2.30 PM and by appointment. ^NEW

Phone: (352) 392-0639 X236

Email: priyanku@ufl.edu

None

Tserdanelis, Georgios and Wai Yi Peggy Wong, eds. (2004). Language Files: Materials for an Introduction to Language and Linguistics, 9th ed. Department of Linguistics, Ohio State University.

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Assessment:

Your performance in the class will be assessed according to the following components:

Component	Worth	When	Description
Homework Assignments (4)	15%	See Below	Problem solving type
Research Participation (2 Hours)	10%	See Below	Participating in an experiment
Quizzes (4)	20%	See Below	Short Quizzes based on the material taught during the week
Mid Term	25%	June 5	In class
Final	30%	June 23	In Class

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Research Participation:

To encourage awareness of different aspects of Linguistics, you are required to participate in at least 2 hours of language or communication research during the semester. A list of experiments that qualify for this credit can be found at www.csd.ufl.edu/langbrain/LINCSD. This site will be updated throughout the semester. After participating in the study or studies, please write a 1.5 – 2 page description of the methods and goals of the study, as well as any comments you have about these. You may have to discuss the study with the experimenter in order to complete this! Include a copy of the IRB form with your write-up when you turn it in. This assignment will be worth 10 % of your course grade.

If you choose not to participate or do not qualify for any of the above studies, you can receive the same amount of course credit for reading a short research article and writing a 1/5-2 page synopsis of it.

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Grades:

90-100 A 70-74.9 C

85-89.9 B+ 65-69.9 D+

80-84.9 B 60-64.9 D

75-79.9 C+ Below 60 F

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Late Policy:

No late homework or exams unless you have received permission before the due date. Homework will be collected at the beginning of class on the date they are due.

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Homework Submission Policy:

All homeworks must be electronically typed. However, no electronic submission is accepted.

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Expectations:

It is expected that students put in at least 6 to 8 hours every week for studying for the course out of class. Students are also expected to do a prior reading of the materials to be discussed in the class.

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GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES

Attendance:

There is no attendance policy for this class. However, many discussions in the class may not strictly follow the prescribed text. Therefore it is in your best interest to attend every class. There is no provision for make-up exams.

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Academic Integrity:

Academic honesty and integrity are fundamental values of the University community. An academic honesty offense is defined as the act of lying, cheating, or stealing academic information so that one gains academic advantage. Any individual who becomes aware of a violation of the Honor Code is bound by honor to take corrective action. Violations of the honor code include, but are not limited to: plagiarism, cheating, bribery, misrepresentation, fabrication, and conspiracy. Such violations may result in the following: lowering of grades, mandatory 0 on assignments, redoing assignments, a final failing grade in the course, expulsion from the course, referral to the student-run Honor Court. The Honor Code states: “We, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standards of honesty and integrity.” On all work submitted for credit by students at the University of Florida, the following pledge is either required or implied: On my honor, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid in doing this assignment. For more information, refer to:

http://www.dso.ufl.edu/judicial/academic.php

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Students with Special Needs:

Students requesting classroom accommodation must first register with the Dean of Students Office. The Dean of Students Office will provide documentation to the student who must then provide this documentation to the Instructor when requesting accommodation.

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Important Links:

Kaan Lab

Click here to know the kind of work LinGators do

LinGators

Department of Linguistics, University of Florida

Listen to IPA

Flash presentation of IPA Sounds

NSF on Language and Linguistics

What NSF says about Linguistics

Peter Ladefoged

Resources on Sounds of Human Languages