Professor: Dr. Chip Gerfen
Office: 321 Dey Hall                          Main Class meeting time: M, W, 1:00 -1:50 pm
Office hours: M,W 1:00-2:00           Where: Greenlaw 431
e-mail: gerfen@email.unc.edu            Recitation: Friday: 1:00-1:50 (location varies by section)
phone: 962-4996

Graduate Teaching Assistants (phone for messages: 962-2755)
 

Elaine S Abousalh: elainef@email.unc.edu	Sarah Jackett: jackett@email.unc.edu	Neal Snider: snider@unc.edu
Office: Dey Hall 301A	Office: Dey Hall 301A	Office: Dey Hall 301A
Office Hours: tba	Office Hours: tba	Office Hours: tba

Course description
Required texts
Other readings
Requirements and grades
Calendar
Lecture Notes
 

Course Description

Perhaps one of the most surprising aspects of language is that while we all know a language, many of us haven't thought much about what it means to know a language or what language itself is. What's the difference, for example, between human language and the communication systems of other animals? Or why can children acquire language with no explicit instruction, while they have to be taught to do much simpler tasks, such as tie their shoes or add and subtract.Why is the sentence "The penguin impeached the president" strange in one way, while the sentence "Cindy car the Mary to gave" strange in an entirely different way? And just what are people really saying when they try to tell you not to end a sentence in a preposition, or that it's incorrect to use "ain't" or that two negatives such as "I don't want no more" make a positive (even though they really don't)?

The fundamental goal of this course is to provide a general introduction to the field of linguistics and contemporary approaches to the study of language structure and use. By the end of the course you should be able to answer all of the questions above (and lots of other questions). In broad strokes, in fact, you should:

• be familiar with the fundamental properties of human languages
• understand why human language is distinct from other forms of animal communication
• be grounded in basic linguistic concepts and terminology
• be able to apply the methods of linguistic analysis introduced in the course
• be aware of the many crucial issues related to language in our society

There are two required texts. The first is Language Files, which will serve as our "standard" textbook. The second is Steven Pinker's The Language Instinct. Pinker wrote his book for the educated non-specialist, and it provides an excellent, accessible, and often funny overview of theoretical linguistic thinking at the close of the 20^th century. It is far less dry than your average textbook, without dumbing down the subject matter. This is a real achievement.

Cipollone, N., S. H. Keiser, and S. Vasishth (eds.). 1998. Language files (7th edition). The Ohio State University Press: Columbus.

Pinker, Steven. 1994. The language instinct. William Morrow: New York.

Other Readings

Depending on how the semester goes, I may make other readings available to you on reserve at the library. I will also make class notes/review readings available on the class web site before each exam. The web site will be updated constantly, so keep tuned in. I'll also include and update potentially interesting language links. If you find any, send them to me and I'll add them to the class web page if they seem appropriate.

Requirements and Grades

The course work will consist of ten regular homework assignments, four midterm exams, and a final exam. (Of course, you are also expected to keep up on your reading.)

Homework
Throughout the semester, there will be ten homework assignments. Each homework will be worth one point if done well, 1/2 point if done not so well but not too badly, and no points if not done well at all. Homeworks will be turned in during recitation, and in order to receive credit for a homework, you must attend class on the day that it is due (unless there is a valid emergency, in which case you are to contact your TA ahead of time). No late homework assignments will be accepted. This is written in stone.

Midterm Exams
Throughout the semester, there will be four midterm exams. I'm going to give you more frequent exams so that the course material will remain fresh, so that you will not be forced to cover too much material in any one 50 minute exam period, and so that no single exam constitutes an overly large part of your grade for the semester. Each exam will be worth 15 points.

Final Exam
The final exam will be cumulative and will be worth 30 points.

Grade breakdown

Homework (1 point each * 10)             10 points
Midterm Exams (15 points each * 4)     60 points
Final Exam (30 points)                         30 points

Total                                                   100 points

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