Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
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If the English language made any sense, a catastrophe would be an apostrophe with fur. ~ Doug Larson

Language and Linguistics Classes

 

Z104 Language in our World (3 cr.) This course explores the power and importance of language in our everyday lives and looks at how language unites and separates us culturally, politically, socially, and psychologically.

 

Z204 Rhetorical Issues in Grammar and Usage (3 cr.)  An introduction to English grammar and usage that studies the rhetorical impact of grammatical structures (such as noun phrases, prepositional phrases, and different sentence patterns). This course considers language trends and issues, the role of correctness in discourse communities, and the relations between writing in context and descriptive and prescriptive grammars and usage guides.

 

Z205 Introduction to the English Language (3 cr.) This course is an introduction to how language, and English in particular, is structured, including sounds (phonetics and phonology), words (morphology), sentences (syntax) and meaning (semantics).  Discussions focus on examples from everyday language and the application of these basic concepts to real world contexts, including language teaching and learning.

 

Z206 Introduction to Language Use (3 cr.)  An introduction to how we use language in our lives. This course explores how and why language varies between different groups and places as well as the role of context on language meaning and interpretation.  Insights are applied to understanding the impact on literature, film, writing and other disciplines.

 

Z301 History of the English Language (3 cr.) A study of the origins of the English language, focusing on how and why English has changed over time.  Topics include: the process of language standardization and its impact on education and literacy, relationships between language and literature, and the changing role of English around the world.  Z205 is recommended.

 

Z302 Understanding Language Structure: Syntax (3 cr.) An introduction to how language is organized at the sentence level, focusing on what it means to know how to produce and understand grammatical sentences. The acquisition of syntax by children learning their first language and non-native speakers learning a second language will be studied.  Z205 is recommended.

 

Z303 Understanding Language Meaning: Semantics (3 cr.) Z303 examines the question of meaning in language, with a focus on English. After introducing various approaches to the study of meaning, including referential, cultural, pragmatic, and cognitive perspectives of what language encodes, the course examines how linguistic semantics analyzes such concepts as entities, events, time, space, possibility, and negation, and how these relate to human culture and cognition. Throughout the course, students will be encouraged to use what they learn in both a linguistic analysis of English and in exploring ways in which such analyses can contribute to understanding in other disciplines.  

 

Z310 Language in Context: Sociolinguistics (3 cr.) This course explores the relationships among language, society, and culture.  The interplay between social factors—such as age, sex, status, class, and education—and language use are discussed within the framework of various theoretical and methodological approaches.  Perceptions of several varieties of English are investigated.  Z206 is recommended.

 

Z405 Topics in the Study of Language (3 cr.)  Topics may vary each semester.

 

Z432 Second Language Acquisition (3 cr.) P: G205. An introduction to a broad range of issues in the field of second language acquisition, providing the student with an overview of the most important approaches to the fundamental questions of how people learn a second language. Provides students with basic knowledge of theories of second language acquisition and an understanding of how theoretical perspectives inform practical application.

 

Z434 Introduction to Teaching English as a Second Language (3 cr.) P: G432 or consent of instructor. The course examines recent theories of teaching English as a second or foreign language. Students will get a chance to examine theories and methods and develop knowledge of linguistic resources available to new and/or practicing teachers.

 

Z441 Materials Preparation for ESL Instruction (3 cr.) P: G205. Students learn about materials preparation, syllabus design, and test preparation by applying a variety of theories to books and other ESL (English as a Second Language) teaching devices (e.g., ESL tapes, videotapes, and software programs) in order to evaluate their usefulness. Students will learn to evaluate ESL materials for adequacy.

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