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1998-99 UAF Catalog

Course Descriptions


Degrees and Programs Index


Linguistics

LING 101 (3 Credits) Fall, Spring
Nature of Language (3+0) h
The study of language: systematic analysis of human language and description of its grammatical structure, distribution, and diversity. Also available via Independent Learning.


LING 216 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Languages of the World (3+0) h
A comprehensive survey of the world's languages past and present. Topics include genetic relationships among languages, linguistic change, language universals, language classification, and language families, as well as the interaction of culture and language. (Next offered: 1999 - 00.)


LING 262 (3 Credits) As Demand Warrants
Methods of Teaching English as a Second Language and Standard English as a Second Dialect (3+0)
(Cross-listed with ED 262)
Covers basic underlying assumptions about the nature of language, language learning, language teaching, characteristics of good language learners, optimal language learning environments, and what affect they have on teaching styles. Roles of the second language teacher and their appropriateness covered. Presents techniques and activities consistent with specific language teaching methods and adaptation of these methods to the needs of western Alaskan classrooms. (Prerequisite: Classroom experience.)


LING 303W,O (3 Credits) Spring
Language Acquisition (3+0)
(Cross-listed with ED 303W,O)
Theories of the acquisition and development of first and second languages, including consideration of biological and sociocultural factors. Survey of traditional and contemporary models, and implications for pedagogy and public policy. (Prerequisite: LING 101.)


LING 308W,O (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Language and Gender (3+0) s
(Cross-listed with ANTH 308W,O and WMS 308W,O)
Examination of relationships between language and gender, drawing on both ethnographic and linguistic sources. Topics include power, socialization and sexism. Materials fee: $5.00.


LING 318 (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Introduction to Phonetics and Phonology (3+0) h
Scientific study of human speech sounds, mechanism of their production, and sound systems of languages. (Prerequisite: Upper division standing or permission of instructor. Next offered: 1999 - 00.)


LING 320 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Introduction to Syntax and Morphology (3+0) h
Study of principles and processes of sentence and word construction in language. (Prerequisites: LING 101 or its equivalent, at least junior standing or permission of the instructor. Next offered: 1999 - 00.)


LING 340W (3 Credits) Every Third Fall
Aspects of Bilingualism (3+0) h
Cognitive, linguistic, sociopolitical, and educational aspects of bilingualism at both the individual and societal levels, including factors contributing to language maintenance and language shift. (Prerequisite: LING 101 or permission of instructor. Next offered: Fall 2000.)


LING 410O (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Theory and Methods of Second Language Teaching (3+0)
(Stacked with LING 610)
Theory and practice of teaching a second language, including methodological approaches, second language acquisition theory, materials, and testing. (Next offered: 1998 - 99.)


LING 420 (3 Credits) Every Third Spring
Semantics (3+0) h
A systematic exploration of the nature of meaning in human language. Focus is on historical and contemporary approaches to understanding problems of reference, categorization, and lexical relationships in meaningful contexts. (Prerequisite: LING 101 or permission of instructor. Next offered: 2000 - 01.)


LING 430 (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Historical Linguistics (3+0) h
(Stacked with LING 630)
Introduction to comparative and historical linguistics: methods of linguistic reconstruction, historical change, genetic relationships, dialectology. Includes Indo-European and Alaskan languages. (Prerequisite: LING 318. Next offered: 1998 - 99.)


LING 431 (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Field Methods in Descriptive Linguistics (3+0)
(Stacked with ANTH 632 and cross-listed with ANTH 432)
Introduction to general issues in language field work and to issues specific to working with little studied and/or endangered languages in particular. Training in techniques of linguistics field work commonly used to determine the grammar of an unknown and/or unwritten language. Topics will include: definition of research problem and research program; considerations in selecting consultants; ethics and responsibilities involved in field work and human research; data elicitation, analysis, reporting and interpreting, archiving. Students will work intensively with a primary consultant who is a native speaker of a non-Indo-European language. (Prerequisites: LING 318, LING 320, or permission of instructor. Next offered: 1998 - 99.)


LING 450O (3 Credits) Every Third Spring
Language Policy and Planning (3+0) s
Consideration of minority languages, including Alaskan Native Languages, in light of their histories, current status, and factors affecting future maintenance. Materials fee: $15.00. (Next offered: 1998 - 99.)


LING 482 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Seminar in Linguistics (3+0)
Current issues in various subfields of linguistics including semantics and pragmatics, discourse analysis, bilingualism, lexicography, language philosophy, and issues within a particular language or language group, e.g. Eskimo phonology, Athabaskan morphology. May be repeated once. (Next offered: 1998 - 99.)


LING 601 (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Principles of Linguistic Analysis (3+0)
Provides experience in working with various languages to determine systematic principles of transcribing and organizing sounds; isolating morphemes; categorizing words into semantic categories; and understanding narrative and other rhetorical structures. For students whose specialty is other than Linguistics who could benefit from a graduate-level introduction to linguistic methods. (Next offered: 1999-00.)


LING 602 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Second Language Acquisition (3+)
Designed to acquaint students with the central issues in second language acquisition research. Includes a critical review of SLA theories and research. (Prerequisites: LING 101 or LING 601; graduate standing or permission of instructor. Next offered: 1998 - 99.)


LING 610 (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Theory and Methods of Second Language Teaching (3+0)
(Stacked with LING 410O)
Theory and practice of teaching a second language, including methodological approaches, second language acquisition theory, materials, and testing. (Next offered: 1998 - 99.)


LING 621 (3 Credits) Spring
Cultural Aspects of Language Acquisition (3+0)
(Cross-listed with ED 621)
An expended view of the ways in which individuals become socialized into particular patterns of first and second language and literacy. The ongoing acquisition of both oral and written language(s) from early childhood through adult life. Topics will include: the cultural dimensions of language development; the relationship between communication and culture; bilingualism; the role of language in the transmission of sociocultural knowledge. (Prerequisite: Graduate standing.)


LING 630 (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Historical Linguistics (3+0)
(Stacked with LING 430)
Introduction to comparative and historical linguistics: methods of linguistic reconstruction, historical change, genetic relationships, dialectology. Includes Indo-European and Alaskan languages. (Prerequisite: LING 318. Next offered: 1998 - 99.)