Language Theories: Syntax, Semantics, and Style

PBDS 713.185

NOTE: This is representative of the syllabi for this course. It is not necessarily the syllabus being used in any one semester.

Texts:

Ä Stephen Pinker, The Language Instinct, 2nd ed. (Harper, 2000)

Ä Stephen Pinker Words and Rules. (Basic Books,-1999)

Ä Virginia Clark, Paul Eschholz, and A1fred F. Rosa, Language: Readings in Language and Culture, 6^th ed. (Bedford Books, 1998).

"The limits of my language are the limits of my world."

--Ludwig Wittgenstein

"When I use a word," Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, "it means just what I choose it to mean--neither more nor less."

"The question is," said A1ice, "whether you can make words mean so many different things."

"The question is," said Humpty Dumpty, "which is to be master,that's all."

--Lewis Carroll , Through the Looking Glass

Course Description:

This course explores the structural, psychosocial, and aesthetic principles governing written discourse, with special attention to the relationship of form to meaning in sentence design. The nature of meaning in human language behavior is examined in light of contemporary theories of linguistics and cognitive psychology.

Course Requirements:

Consistent, well-informed participation in class discussion Written journal of responses to readings, due at midterm and at semester's end Final research or creative project in language theory

Course Topics:

Ä The Structure of Language: Modem and Contemporary Approaches

Ä The Fundamentals of Linguistics: Phonology, Morphology, and Syntax

Ä Theories of Grammar: Structural Linguistics; Transformational/Generative Grammar; Immediate Constituent Analysis

Ä Semantics: The Study of Meaning

Ä Language, Meaning, and Thought

Ä Language in Social Contexts: The Semantic Environment

Ä Language and Culture: Some Considerations

Course Schedule:

January 29 An introduction to linguistics

February 5 The Language Instinct, Chapters 1-5

February 12 The Language Instinct, Chapters 6-10

February 19 The Language Instinct, Chapters 11-13; Language, Part III

February 26 Words and Rules, Chapters 1-4

March 5 Words and Rules, Chapters 5-7; Language, Part IV

March 12 Words and Rules, Chapters 8-10

March 19 Language, Parts II and XI

SPRING BREAK

April 2 Language, Parts I and V

April 9 Language, Part VI

April 16 Language, Part VII

April 23 Language, Part VIII

April 30 Language, Part IX May 7 Language, Part X

May 14 Presentation of final projects for peer review