Course Information Overview
- Linguistics 417 # 13239
- Tues, Thur 2:00-3:15
- Sierra Hall 194
Course Description
This course examines how humans acquire their first and subsequent languages. Students will examine characteristic patterns in language acquisition and discuss how various researchers have hypothesized that acquisition takes place. The goals of the course include becoming aware of different theories of first language acquisition and understanding the arguments made for and against such theories; becoming familiar with key milestones in the phonological, lexical, morphological, and syntactic development of a child's language; becoming familiar with language development in special populations; understanding the difference between first and second language learning.
Student Learning Objectives
Students who successfully complete Ling 417 will:
1) Demonstrate their understanding of competing theories of first langauge acquisition in essay responses to examination question
2) Demonstrate an ability to gather and analyze a small sample of data
3) Become familiar with significant developments in the child's phonological, lexical, morphological and sytactic systems
4) Understand the differences between first and second langauge learning.
Grading
| A = 94-97 | |
|---|---|
| A- = 90-93 | |
| B+ = 87-89 | |
| B = 84-87 | |
| B- = 80-83 | |
| etc. |
Course Schedule
Reading/Activity for 1st 5 weeks
| Date | Reading |
|---|---|
| Week 1 Aug 26-28 | O'Grady 1,6 |
| Week 2 Sep 2-4 | O'Grady 6 |
| Week 3 Sep 9-11 | O'Grady 2 and 3 |
| Week 4 Sept 16-18 | O'Grady 4 and 5 |
| Week 5 Sept 23-25 | O'Grady 7, L-S 1 |
Assignments
| Type | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Homework assignments | 20% |
| Report and Presentation | 30% |
| Midterm exam (Oct 9) | 25% |
| Final exam (Dec 16) | 25% |