Course Descriptions
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Linguistics
LING 100 - Introduction to Linguistics
The aim of this course is to make you aware of the complex organization and systematic nature of language. You will be studying yourself and those around you, since you are all language users. Most of your knowledge of language, however, is unconscious, and earlier education may have given you confusing or misleading notions about language. This course is intended to clarify your ideas about language and bring you to a better understanding of its nature. You will learn more about how languages work by observing and analyzing language(s) (from people you know, from yourself, videos, in-class data sets, social media, texting etc.) By the end of the course you should be familiar with some of the terminology and techniques of linguistic analysis and be able to apply this knowledge to the description of different languages.
Frequency: Every semester.
LING 104 - Sounds of the World's Languages
In this course you will be trained to produce and recognize (almost) all the speech sounds which human languages make use of, and to develop a systematic way of analyzing and recording them. We will learn how to transcribe data in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). Class time will focus on practicing perceiving and producing the speech sounds found in spoken languages (vowels, tones, trills, clicks, etc). Each student will have the opportunity to conduct research on the phonetics of a language of their choice, working closely with a native-speaking consultant. This course is recommended for students of languages, linguistics, theater, music and anyone who wants to become more aware of their (and other people's) pronunciation.
Frequency: Every spring. In odd years, it is offered in the Fall and Spring.
LING 150 - Language and Gender in Japanese Society
Japanese is considered to be a gendered language in the sense that women and men speak differently from each other. Male characters in Japanese animation often use "boku" or "ore" to refer to themselves, while female characters often use "watashi" or "atashi." When translated into Japanese, Hermione Granger (a female character in the Harry Potter series) ends sentences with soft-sounding forms, while Harry Potter and his best friend Ron use more assertive forms. Do these fictional representations reflect reality? How are certain forms associated with femininity or masculinity? Do speakers of Japanese conform to the norm or rebel against it? These are some of the questions discussed in this course. Students will have opportunities to learn about the history of gendered language, discover different methodologies in data collections, and find out about current discourse on language and gender.
Frequency: Offered alternate years.
LING 175 - Sociolinguistics
Sociolinguistics is the study of the social language variation inevitable in all societies, be they closed and uniform or diverse and multicultural. Language and culture are so closely tied that it is nearly impossible to discuss language variation without also understanding its relation to culture. As humans, we judge each other constantly on the basis of the way we use language, we make sweeping generalizations about people's values and moral worth solely on the basis of the language they use. Diversity in language often stands as a symbol of ethnic and social diversity. If someone criticizes our language we feel they are criticizing our inmost self. This course introduces students to the overwhelming amount of linguistic diversity in the United States and elsewhere, while at the same time making them aware of the cultural prejudices inherent in our attitude towards people who communicate differently from us. The class involves analysis and discussion of the readings, setting the stage for exploration assignments, allowing students to do their own research on linguistic diversity.
Frequency: Offered every spring.
Cross-Listed as: SOCI 175
LING 194 - Topics Course
Varies by semester. Consult the department or class schedule for current listing.
LING 200 - Syntax
All languages have structure, and syntax is the study of how language users combine words into meaningful phrases, sentences, and conversations. The world's languages vary enormously in how they express events and describe situations, and in this class, you will learn about the many different ways in which syntax makes this communication possible. We will explore this syntactic diversity by going hands-on with real data from a variety of languages - including specific languages of your choice.
Frequency: Every spring.
LING 201 - Historical Linguistics
Languages are constantly changing. The English written by Chaucer 600 years ago is now very difficult to understand without annotation, not to mention anything written a few centuries before that. This course investigates the nature of language change, how to determine a language's history, its relationship to other languages and the search for common ancestors or "proto-languages." We will discuss changes at various linguistic levels: sound change, lexical change, syntactic change and changes in word meaning over time. Although much of the work done in this field involves Indo-European languages, we will also look at change in many other language families. This is a practical course, most of class time will be spent DOING historical linguistics, rather than talking about it. We will be looking at data sets from many different languages and trying to make sense of them. In the cases where we have examples of many related languages, we will try to reconstruct what the parent language must have looked like.
Frequency: Offered occasionally.
LING 205 - Phonology
Phonology is the study of how sounds and/or signs pattern in language, i.e. how they are organized into perceptual categories. In this class we will look at data from a wide variety of languages and analyze them using several formal theories to find patterns and generalizations about phonological contrasts and alternations. In the process, students will evaluate the explanatory strengths of each theory. The class will emphasize the analytical skills used in solving problem sets and on how to present and justify an analysis of the dataset.
Frequency: Every fall.
Prerequisite(s): LING 104
LING 206 - Endangered/Minority Languages
Language loss is accelerating at alarming rates. In fact, Linguists predict that only five percent of the six thousand languages currently spoken in the world are expected to survive into the 22nd century. In this course, we will examine the historical, political, and socio-economic factors behind the endangerment and/or marginalization of languages in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and North and South America. We will also concentrate on the globalization of English (and other major languages), which plays a primary role in language endangerment and marginalization. Additional topics include: linguistic diversity, language policy, multilingualism (in both nations and individuals), global language conflict, and language revitalization. Students will have the opportunity to learn first-hand about these issues by interviewing speakers of an endangered and/or minority language.
Cross-Listed as: ANTH 206
LING 208 - The Human Voice
This human voice conveys important information about the speaker such as age, gender, emotional state, sobriety, truthfulness, illness, etc. In this course, we will examine a variety of issues surrounding the complexity of the human voice, such as the role voice plays in gender identity, sexual orientation, and in determining emotions and physical appearance. We will also discuss acting and singing voices, and voice disorders. Grading will be based on lab projects and readings.
Frequency: Occasionally.
LING 220 - Language and Music
Language and music are two uniquely human enterprises with a number of parallels: both rely on sound and/or signs, display hierarchical organization and culturally-specific practices, and can convey both communicative and social meaning. This course examines the intersection of language and music from a linguistic perspective. We will engage with questions such as: How can syntax, phonology, and morphology change when language is sung instead of signed or spoken? How do speakers of tone languages understand lyrics in sung melodies? Is hip hop different in different languages? What does it mean to study melody and rhythm in language? Can music help people learn languages? How do drum- and whistle-languages work? How does music contribute to language revitalization? No musical ability is required.
Frequency: Every year.
Cross-Listed as: MUSI 220
LING 225 - 100 Words for Snow: Language and Nature
Human beings have an unprecedented ability to shape the environment around them, yet the environment powerfully shapes both individuals and species. Two main questions run throughout this course: 1. How does language influence the way we think about and perceive nature, which in turn influences the way we interact with and shape nature? 2. How has our environment shaped the Language faculty and individual languages? To answer these questions, we'll start by asking, what is language and what is nature? Then we'll turn to the way that our environment has impacted the evolution of Language. Next we'll look at indigenous knowledge as it is encoded by language and the Linguistic Relativity Hypothesis, which says that language influences the way we perceive the world. With this as background, we'll look at the language of environmental discourse. Next, using the metaphor of ecology, we'll examine languages as if they were organisms and analyze the ecosystems that sustain them. Knowing what makes a healthy language, we'll look at endangered languages and the connections between linguistic diversity and biodiversity.
Frequency: Offered yearly.
Cross-Listed as: ENVI 225
LING 236 - Sanskrit and Classical Religion in India
Like Latin and Greek in Europe, Sanskrit is a highly inflected language of scholarship and revered as the perfect medium for discourse on everything from science and sex to philosophy and religion. It flourished in its classical form after the age of the Buddha (5th century BC) and served as a scholarly lingua franca in India until the Islamic period. This course serves as an introduction to the grammar an script of Sanskrit, and we will advance to a point of reading simplified texts from the classical epic Ramayana.Students will be expected to attend class regularly and spend at least ten hours a week outside class studying the grammar and vocabulary. Without this sort of effort, no progress is possible in such a complex language. In addition to the rigorous study of the language, we will consider both the role of the language in classical Indian culture and religion, and some texts from the Ramayana, looking at both English translation and Sanskrit originals.
Frequency: Alternate years.
LING 265 - Translation as Cross-Cultural Communication
When communication takes place across language barriers, it raises fundamental questions about meaning, style, power relationships, and traditions. This course treats literary translation as a particularly complex form of cross-cultural interaction. Students will work on their own translations of prose or poetry while considering broader questions of translation, through critiques of existing translations, close comparisons of variant translations, and readings on cultural and theoretical aspects of literary translation.
Frequency: Offered occasionally.
Prerequisite(s): Advanced proficiencey in a second language required.
LING 280 - Topics in Linguistic Anthropology
Introduces students to linguistic anthropology, one of the four major subfields of the discipline of anthropology. Students will focus on particular topics within linguistic anthropology including: gender, race, sexuality, and identity. May involve fieldwork in the Twin Cities area. Focus will be announced at registration.
Frequency: Offered occasionally.
LING 282 - Language and Identity in Japanese, Asian-American, and Other Communities
This course aims to investigate the complex relationship between language and identity in Japanese, Asian American, and other diasporic communities. Language plays a significant role in conveying one's identity, as do other semiotic means such as clothing. By exploring scholarship that considers language as it relates to identity, students will discover how speakers/writers use their agency in expressing their identity and how identity emerges as a social and cultural phenomenon. They will learn about multiple interrelated factors that affect how speakers/writers view and use language such as race, ethnicity, nationality, and multilingualism. No knowledge of Asian languages is required.
Frequency: Alternate years.
LING 294 - Topics Course
Varies by semester. Consult the department or class schedule for current listing.
LING 300 - Linguistic Analysis
The first prerequisite to understanding a linguistic message is the ability to decipher its code. This course is training in the decoding of grammar. Through practice in problem-solving, you will develop expertise in the grammatical systems of a wide sample of the world's language types.
Frequency: Every fall.
LING 304 - Experimental Phonetics
What is sound and how do linguists study it? This course is an introduction to basic acoustics and experimental procedures in linguistics. We learn how to quantify the speech signal (using Praat software) to answer questions about human speech sounds. Students will have a chance to learn about their own speech through in-class activities, such as plotting their vowel space, measuring their pitch range, and determining how they produce consonants by conducting static palatography (a procedure where the tongue is "painted" to learn more about articulation). Students will conduct their own linguistic research based on a language/dialect of their choice.
Frequency: Most often alternate spring semesters, may occasionally be taught in the fall. Check with department chair.
Prerequisite(s): LING 104
LING 309 - Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics
A linguistic survey of the Spanish language aimed at improving pronunciation and increasing comprehension of the structure of the language, deepening students' understanding of the sound system, word formation, grammar and meaning. Study will emphasize phonetics and provide an introduction to transcription, phonology, morphology and syntax, as well as provide an overview of linguistic change and geographic variation. This course satisfies the Area 3 requirement for the Hispanic and Latin American Studies major.
Frequency: Every year.
Cross-Listed as: SPAN 309
LING 311 - Philosophy of Language
What is language and what is it for? What makes a series of sounds into a meaningful sentence? What makes a sentence true? Why is language always changing? This course will introduce students to ways in which twentieth century philosophers have attempted to provide answers to such questions. Since the philosophy of language has been so crucial to contemporary philosophy, this course also serves as an introduction to philosophical thought from the beginning of twentieth century to the present. Topics will range from more technical problems (theories of meaning, reference and truth; synonymy and analyticity; universals and natural kinds; private languages) to broader issues examining the relationship between language and culture (language games; radical interpretation; social change). Readings typically include writings by Ludwig Wittgenstein, W.V. Quine, John Searle, Donald Davidson, Richard Rorty, Michel Foucault, and bell hooks.
Prerequisite(s): PHIL 201, or permission of instructor
Cross-Listed as: PHIL 311
LING 332 - Spanish in the United States
In this course, students will examine the different varieties of Spanish in the US and the effects of the linguistic contact between Spanish and English. Sociolinguistic aspects relevant to language contact will be addressed, as will related issues such as immigration patterns, bilingualism, Spanglish, and bilingual education. This course satisfies the Area 3 requirement for the Spanish major.
Frequency: Generally taught alternate years.
Prerequisite(s): SPAN 305 and another 300-level Spanish course or consent of the instructor. SPAN 309 recommended.
Cross-Listed as: SPAN 332
LING 336 - Japanese Sociocultural Linguistics
This course aims to give students the opportunity to find the joy of analyzing Japanese language by enhancing their understanding of its complex and rich sociocultural meanings. In Japanese language courses, students learn the norms (i.e., what is considered to be correct and proper) regarding honorifics, speech levels, orthography, the so-called gendered language, and other linguistic forms. In this linguistics course, they will find out how actual speakers/writers observe or deviate from the norms to create sociocultural meanings and how the adherence to or subversion of the norm often reflects language ideologies. In the process they will reflect on their own as well as others' speech and writing, and learn how to critically evaluate and analyze language in the media. In addition to reading and discussing academic articles in English, students will collect and analyze authentic Japanese data such as anime, TV drama, films, manga, novels, and blogs. Japanese Language and Culture majors who are juniors and seniors may count this course as their capstone experience. The course also fulfills the Asian Studies, Japanese, and Linguistics major and minor requirements.
Frequency: Alternate years.
Prerequisite(s): JAPA 204 or permission of the instructor.
LING 375 - History of the Spanish Language
An overview of Modern Spanish as it has developed over time. Course will trace the historical evolution of the most salient phonological, morpho-syntactic and lexical traits of Modern Spanish and will introduce some of the principle theories of language change. Concepts will be reinforced through work with authentic historical texts. This course satisfies the Area 3 requirement for the Spanish major.
Frequency: Offered occasionally.
Prerequisite(s): SPAN 309 or consent of the instructor.
Cross-Listed as: SPAN 375
LING 376 - Spanish Dialectology
A survey of modern dialectal variations of Spanish and Peninsular Spanish varieties. Sociolinguistic issues and historical aspects of language will be addressed, along with other extralinguistic factors. Through this course, students will gain a linguistic understanding of the principal varieties of Modern Spanish. This course satisfies the Area 3 requirement for the Spanish major.
Frequency: Alternate years.
Prerequisite(s): SPAN 309 or consent of the instructor.
LING 377 - Applied Linguistics: Spanish Second Language Acquisition
An overview of research projects on the acquisition of Spanish as a second language. Students will learn about the theoretical approaches used in these studies as well as the effects of various pedagogical approaches on the development of Spanish interlanguage systems. While the focus of the course is on the acquisition of Spanish as a second language, students will gain a broad and useful understanding of different pedagogical issues directly related to the acquisition/learning process(es) of other second languages. This course satisfies the Area 3 requirement for the Spanish major.
Frequency: Alternate years.
Prerequisite(s): SPAN 309 or consent of the instructor.
Cross-Listed as: SPAN 377
LING 378 - Psychology of Language
An examination of psychological factors that affect the comprehension of oral and written language. Topics include the origin of language, how language can control thought, the role of mutual knowledge in comprehension, and principles that underlie coherence in discourse. Includes readings from psycholinguistics, philosophy, sociolinguistics, social psychology, and especially from cognitive psychology. Emphasis is placed on current research methods so that students can design an original study.
Frequency: Offered most years.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 100 or STAT 155, and PSYC 242 or PSYC 244; or two linguistics classes; or permission of the instructor.
Cross-Listed as: PSYC 378
LING 394 - Topics Course
Varies by semester. Consult the department or class schedule for current listing.
LING 401 - Field Methods
In this course, which is required for all linguistics majors, students meet with one or more bilingual speakers of a language unknown to them, and attempt by means of elicitation and analysis of texts to understand its structure. This course is part two of the linguistics capstone.
Frequency: Spring semester.
Prerequisite(s): LING 300.
LING 488 - Translating Japanese: Theory and Practice
This workshop for advanced students of Japanese explores the craft and cultural implications of Japanese-to-English literary translation. It aims to give students not only a facility and sophistication in translating Japanese, but also a closer familiarity with the Japanese language itself. Through weekly translation assignments, we will examine the expressive qualities of the Japanese language, tracing major developments of prose style in the modern period and studying the socio-historical context manifested in those linguistic innovations. Our work will be informed and enhanced by engagements with theories of translation as well as essays on Japanese-to-English translation specifically. We will cover a broad range of genres, including essays, poetry, manga, and film (subtitles). The course will culminate in an original project translating a Japanese work of one's choice.
Prerequisite(s): JAPA 305 - Third Year Japanese I or higher.
Cross-Listed as: JAPA 488
LING 494 - Topics Course
Varies by semester. Consult the department or class schedule for current listing.
LING 611 - Independent Project
Limit of one may be applied toward the major unless the student is carrying out a capstone or an honors project.
Frequency: Every semester.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor and department chair.
LING 612 - Independent Project
Limit of one may be applied toward the major unless the student is carrying out a capstone or an honors project.
Frequency: Every semester.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor and department chair.
LING 613 - Independent Project
Limit of one may be applied toward the major unless the student is carrying out a capstone or an honors project.
Frequency: Every semester.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor and department chair.
LING 614 - Independent Project
Limit of one may be applied toward the major unless the student is carrying out a capstone or an honors project.
Frequency: Every semester.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor and department chair.
LING 621 - Internship
Frequency: Every semester.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Work with Internship Office.
LING 622 - Internship
Frequency: Every semester.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Work with Internship Office.
LING 623 - Internship
Frequency: Every semester.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Work with Internship Office.
LING 624 - Internship
Frequency: Every semester.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Work with Internship Office.
LING 631 - Preceptorship
Frequency: Every semester.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Work with Academic Programs.
LING 632 - Preceptorship
Frequency: Every semester.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Work with Academic Programs.
LING 633 - Preceptorship
Frequency: Every semester.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Work with Academic Programs.
LING 634 - Preceptorship
Frequency: Every semester.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Work with Academic Programs.
LING 641 - Honors Independent
Independent research, writing, or other preparation leading to the culmination of the senior honors project.
Frequency: Every semester.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor and department chair.
LING 642 - Honors Independent
Independent research, writing, or other preparation leading to the culmination of the senior honors project.
Frequency: Every semester.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor and department chair.
LING 643 - Honors Independent
Independent research, writing, or other preparation leading to the culmination of the senior honors project.
Frequency: Every semester.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor and department chair.
LING 644 - Honors Independent
Independent research, writing, or other preparation leading to the culmination of the senior honors project.
Frequency: Every semester.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor and department chair.