LING 111.02-M.

Kelepir

Fall 2011

Introduction to Language and Linguistics

MWTh 445 YD 116, M 1170, YD 05
This course is an introduction to the field of study known as linguistics, the study of human language. Our approach to
this field of study will be scientific and systematic. In this course we will try to answer questions like: what does it
mean to know a language? Are knowing a language and using a language the same thing? If language is a
communication system, what are its units and how are the units structured? Can everyone acquire language and how
are humans able to acquire it? Does social context affect language use, and if so, how? How does language change
with time?
Instructor
Meltem Kelepir

Office
TB 115-8

Tel
e-mail
Office hours
359 6822 meltem.kelepir@boun.edu.tr by appointment

Course materials:
Textbook: Fromkin, A. V., R. Rodman & N. Hyams. (2011). An Introduction to Language. (9th edition) Available at
the BU bookstore.
Web page: www.linguistics.boun.edu.tr
Additional handouts will be distributed in class.
Course requirements:
Attendance: Attendance and participation in class discussion are required.
Assignments: There will be four assignments to be completed by the dates indicated on the syllabus.
Assignments and participation will account for 15% of your course grade.
Exams:

Two midterms (dates indicated on the syllabus):

Midterm-1 20%, Midterm-2 25% of the course grade.
A cumulative final exam will determine the remaining 40% of your course grade.

There will be no E-exam. The passing grade for the course is 55.
Schedule
Weeks
Topics
Readings
Assignments
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week 1
Sept.
26
Preliminaries
28
Brain and Language
PART-1
29
Brain and Language
Week 2
Oct.
3
Morphology
PART-2: Chapter 1
5
Morphology
6
Morphology
Week
Oct.

3
10
Morphology
12
No class
13
No class
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week 4
Oct.
17
Morphology
Assignment 1 given
19
Phonetics
Chapter 4
20
Phonetics
________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Week
0ct.

5
24
Phonetics
Assignment 1 due
26
Phonetics
Assignment 2 given
27
Phonology
Chapter 5
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week 6
Oct.
31
Phonology
Assignment 2 due
Nov.
2
Phonology
3
Review - MIDTERM I (18:00-19:00); Time may change!
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week 7
Nov.
7
No class; Bayram
9
No class; Bayram
10
Phonology
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week 8
Nov.
14
Phonology
Nov.
16
Phonology
Nov.
17
Phonology
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week 9
Nov.
21
Phonology
Assignment 3 given
23
Syntax
Chapter 2
24
Syntax
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week 10
Nov.
28
Syntax
Assignment 3 due
30
Syntax
Dec.
1
Syntax
Week
Dec.

11
5
Syntax
Assignment 4 given
7
Sentence Meaning
Chapter 3
8
Pragmatics
Chapter 3
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week 12
Dec.
12
Pragmatics
Assignment 4 due
14
What is Language?
Chapter 6 (PART-3)
15
What is Language?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week 13
Dec.
19
Review - MIDTERM II (18:00-19:00); Time may change!
21
Language Acquisition
Chapter 7
22
Language Acquisition
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week 14
Dec.
26
Language in Society
Chapter 9
28
Language in Society
29
Language Change
Chapter 10
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
January - Make-up Session
Language Change (cntd) & Writing-Chapter 11