ENGLISH 387
Introduction to Linguistics
Spring 2008
MWF, 1:00-1:50 PM

TEXT: O'Grady et. al. Contemporary Linguistics, 5th ed.
There is a companion web site for this text at this link

INSTRUCTOR: Bob Canary, canary@uwp.edu Available on MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, and AOL/AIM as bobcanary. Available as a friend on Facebook, MySpace, and others.
["Anyone who claims to know something lacks the necessary knowledge"--1 Corinthians 8.2]

OFFICE: Communication Arts 226, 262-595-2525

PURPOSE OF COURSE: Most of what you think you know about language is probably false; most of what the so-called "language experts" preach in newspapers is nonsense; and a fair amount of what you were taught about language is one or the other. This course is intended as a general introduction to linguistics, the science of human language.

CALENDAR OF TOPICS:

  • Sounds and Phonemes: Vowels
    • read pp. 1-72, 245-260
    • Examination Monday, February 4
  • Phonemes and Letters: Consonants
    • read pp. 15-98, 531-51
    • Examination Monday, February 25 Words
      • read pp. 111-160, 201-217,260-265,268-272,343-53
      • Examination Monday, March 31
    • Syntax and History
      • read pp. 151-95, 217-235,265-268,272-282,291-341,353-59
      • Examination Monday, April 21 Linguistics and Other Disciplines
        • Friday, April 25 Chapter 11
          Monday, April 28 Chapter 12
          Wednesday, April 30 Chapters 13 & 14
          Friday, May 2 Chapter 15
          Monday, May 5 more on Chapter 15
          Wednesday, May 7 Chapter 17
          Friday, May 9 Chapter 18 and review
      • Final Examination Wednesday, May 14, 1-3 PM

      GRADING: The examinations will be cumulative and of increasing importance. You will be rewarded for class participation, a part of your grade which also includes attendance, quizzes, the papers, and required Internet work. This can make up to 40% of your grade for each portion of the course, but if you can ace the quizzes without it, lack of class participation will not count against you. ["If you, Lord, were to note what is done amiss, O Lord, who could stand?"--Psalm 130.2 -- "Use every man after his desert and who shall scape whipping? Use them after your own honor and dignity. The less they deserve, the more merit is in your bounty"--HAMLET 2.2 -- "The quality of mercy is not strain'd, It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven" -- MERCHANT OF VENICE 4.1

      [Posted January 10, 2008]