Linguistics Courses at Global Campus

Language is a central part of our daily lives. It is how we communicate our thoughts and desires to others. Yet, we usually take language for granted, using it effortlessly without stopping to think about how it works. So, what exactly is language, and how does it work? This course is an introduction to linguistics, the scientific study of language. At the end of this course, students should understand what linguists study and have a good understanding of the core concepts in phonology, phonetics, morphology, syntax, and semantics. The developmental stages of language acquisition and the variations of dialect and style observed in spoken and written English are also examined.

This course provides an introduction to the various ways language and technology interact. Students will understand the importance of computers that can process spoken and written language, and be introduced to a variety of implementations of these emerging technologies. Prerequisite: LNG 101 or 321.

This course provides students an opportunity to investigate the process of acquiring a second language and to compare this process to learning in general. Students will also explore the basic theories of second language acquisition compared to first language acquisition and will discuss how these theories influence second language curriculum design and guide second language instructional methods. Prerequisite: LNG 101 or 321.

This course provides an introduction to the field of speech and language pathology. Students will survey a variety of communicative disorders and their effect on language development as compared to clinically normal growth and development of speech and language. Students will also consider the effect of these disorders on various levels of society. Prerequisite: LNG 101 or 321.

In this course, students begin to answer the questions: how do we speak, why do different languages sound distinct, and how does sound encode and convey meaning? Students will examine sounds and sound systems of languages by exploring the phonetic properties of language as well as various phonological systems that languages employ to organize these speech sounds into meaningful utterances. Students will also study selected applications of these theories. Prerequisite: LNG 101 or 321.

This course provides students with an opportunity to examine the process of acquiring a second language. Students will compare the basic theories of second language acquisition to those first language acquisition, and to learning in general. They will explore how theories of second language acquisition influence curriculum design and guide second language instructional methods. Building on the knowledge and skills obtained throughout the course, students will develop their own strategies for second language instruction that address the cognitive and social obstacles faced by second language learners.

This course provides students an opportunity to explore the linguistic theories of morphology and syntax. Students will examine structure within language by describing and investigating the underlying principles and processes of word formation as well as the rules which govern phrase and sentence structure. Basic concepts addressed include morpheme-based morphology and a generative grammar approach to syntax. Students will also study selected applications of these theories. Prerequisite: LNG 101 or 321.

How does language function in maintaining and changing power relations in modern society? What are the ways of analyzing language that can reveal these processes? How can people become more conscious of power structures, and more able to resist and change them? The relationship between language and power remains an important issue in the twenty-first century, but substantial social changes in the past decade have altered the nature of unequal power relations, and therefore the agenda for the critical study of language. This course provides an introduction to the analysis of discourse and dialogue. It brings the discussion fully up-todate by addressing the globalization of power relations and the influence of the internet and new technologies on the language of contemporary institutions and ideologies.

This course provides an introduction to language in its social context. In this course, students will explore how language embodies culture, and how society is impacted by language. Topics include linguistic variation in diverse social contexts; language and gender; language and ethnicity; language and socioeconomic class; and the language of law, politics, propaganda, and advertising. 

This course provides an introduction to the theory of meaning in language. Students will consider how language relates to the physical world, and how it contains and conveys truth, falsehood, and meaning. Students will also consider how various contexts factor into determining meaning, and will study selected applications of these theories. Prerequisite: LNG 101 or 321.

This course provides an introduction to the domains of internet linguistics, including natural language processing, computational linguistics, and human language technology. Students will study basic elements of computer programming from a computational linguistics perspective, and assess how the theories, methods, and materials of internet linguistics can be applied to real-world language problems. In a final portfolio, students will develop, analyze, and interpret computational work on a corpus of text, utilizing online visualization and natural language processing tools. Computational linguistics is an exciting subfield within the discipline of linguistics that investigates the potential of language technology for society and the practical applications of these emerging technologies. Prerequisite: LNG 101 or 321.

This course provides students an opportunity to conduct research into a theoretical area of linguistics and its application to assist in creating a plan for future study and professional development. Students will select a topic of interest and research its current and potential applications to one or various areas of industry. Students will demonstrate an understanding of how key linguistic theories have allowed for progress within certain industries and identify opportunities that are still present in the field of applied linguistics. Prerequisites: LNG 101 or 321 and successful completion of the General Education Capstone course.