Linguistics
Coordinators
Hillary Crane, Ph.D. • Anthropology
Masayuki Itomitsu, Ph.D. • Global Languages and Cultural Studies
Faculty
David Fiordalis, Ph.D. • Religious Studies
Rachel Norman, Ph.D. • English
Sandra Elena Terra, Ph.D. • Global Languages and Cultural Studies
Jennifer Williams, Ph.D. • Religious Studies
The linguistics minor combines offerings from four departments in the Arts and Humanities and the Social and Behavioral Sciences divisions. Thus it provides an interdisciplinary concentration on the science of language including descriptive and sociolinguists as well as language acquisition, semantics, and more. Ideally, that will include at least one year of study in an ancient language or a modern one, but linguistics is decidedly not, as is frequently assumed, “just learning lots of languages.” This minor, rooted firmly in the humanities and social sciences, is a rewarding addition to majors in a wide variety of academic disciplines.
Courses
ANTH 106 INTRODUCTION TO LINGUISTICS (ALSO AS GLCS 106) (3 credits)
An introduction to linguistics, the scientific study of human language. This course will consider languages as systems of sounds, forms, structures, meanings, and symbols. Attention will also be given to the biological, psychological, social, anthropological, and cultural aspects of language and language use. No background in languages other than English is required (although such background will be helpful and welcomed).
Total Course fees: $20.00
(INDIVID/SYSTEMS/SOCIETIES)
ANTH 111 CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY (4 credits)
Anthropological study of culture and society; world cultures and their variation in social, political, and economic organization, belief systems and world view, material culture and the arts, patterns of adaptation. Assumptions, concepts, and methods of anthropologists.
Prerequisites: Freshman or sophomore standing or consent of instructor.
(GLOBAL PLURALISM, INDIVID/SYSTEMS/SOCIETIES)
ANTH 341 LANGUAGE & CULTURE (4 credits)
Anthropological study of the relationship between language and culture, sociolinguistics (situating language in cultural context), and language patterns that shape culture.
Prerequisites: ANTH 111 or ANTH 340 or GLCS 340.
(GLOBAL PLURALISM, INDIVID/SYSTEMS/SOCIETIES)
EDUC 245 EDUCATIONAL LINGUISTICS AND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION FOR ESOL (3 credits)
Current theory and research in first and second language acquisition and issues in linguistics applied to linguistically and culturally diverse students. Topics in language acquisition include historical and current theories, language stages, as well as the factors that influence learning an additional language. Topics in educational linguistics include concepts in phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics and pragmatics, with a focus on classroom applications.
Prerequisites: EDUC 240 or consent of instructor.
GLSP 270 SPANISH IN THE US (3 credits)
Study of the language situation surrounding Spanish in the United States including sociolinguistic, historical, and political perspectives. Conducted in English.
Total Course fees: $15.00
(INDIVID/SYSTEMS/SOCIETIES, U.S. PLURALISM)
GLSP 370 SPANISH IN THE US (4 credits)
Study of the language situation surrounding Spanish in the United States including sociolinguistic, historical, and political perspectives. Class discussion conducted in English with GLSP 270 students. Additional 50-minute discussion session and readings in Spanish. Exams, class project also in Spanish.
Total Course fees: $20.00
Prerequisites: GLSP 302, or study abroad or consent of instructor.
(INDIVID/SYSTEMS/SOCIETIES, U.S. PLURALISM)
RELS 200 NEW TESTAMENT GREEK (5 credits)
Study of Greek grammar; readings from the New Testament; use of exegetical tools. With RELS 201 (Greek Readings), meets the language requirement for the BA.
RELS 201 GREEK READINGS (3 credits)
Greek from the New Testament, Stoic authors, Hellenistic Jewish texts, and early church fathers.
Prerequisites: RELS 200.
RELS 202 HEBREW I (4 credits)
Elements of Hebrew grammar. Language tapes and class exercises to give the student experience in spoken, elementary, Modern Hebrew; readings from prose sections of the Hebrew Bible. With RELS 203, meets the language requirement for the B.A.
RELS 203 HEBREW II: READINGS IN BIBLE (4 credits)
Selected passages from the prose and poetry of the Hebrew Bible.
Prerequisites: RELS 202.
RELS 204 SANSKRIT I (4 credits)
Introduction to Sanskrit language: Reading, writing, pronunciation basic grammar. Fulfills BA language requirement when completed with RELS 205.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.
RELS 205 SANSKRIT II (4 credits)
Continuation of first-year Sanskrit. Continued study of basic grammar necessary to begin reading Sanskrit literature. Fulfills BA language requirement when completed with RELS 204.
Prerequisites: RELS 204 or consent of instructor.
RELS 367 SCRIBES AND SCHOOLS: RECORDING ANCIENT WISDOM (4 credits)
The invention of the alphabet. How the Bible became a book. The Canaanite origin of the Biblical God. How to read a Northwest Semitic inscription. The ancient world of the patriarch Abraham.
(ULTIMATE QUESTIONS)