COMD/ LING 2050 –Introduction to Language (Section-2)

Spring, 2018
Time: Tuesday, & Thursday 4:30- 5.50 pm
Location: 1, Hatcher Hall
Instructor: Barnali Mazumdar
Office: 71, Hatcher Hall
Office hours: Thursday 3:00-4:00 pm or by appointment only
Email: bmazum1@lsu.edu

COURSE SYLLABUS
Background Information
This is a General Education course within the field of Communication Disorders/Linguistics. Also offered as
LING 2050. This course introduces linguistic study of the principal interrelated levels of language structure:
phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics; related topics such as first and second language
acquisition, and dialects. Material covered and assignments in this course address student achievement as it
related to the study of language and its development. The student will gain an understanding of language
structure, function, acquisition, and variation through classroom lectures and upon complete of class
assignments and examinations. This course begins by introducing the student to the foundations of language.
This includes theories of language origin, animal language, and the sounds of language. The course then covers
the basic principles of language, including: phonology, morphology, grammar, syntax, semantics, and
pragmatics. Students will then learn about how these principals are related to the brain, 1st language acquisition
and development, and the learning of a second language. The course also covers language and social/regional
variation with respect to dialect.

Textbook
Yule, G. (2016). The Study of Language (5th ed.). New York: Cambridge. ISBN: 978-1-107-65817-2

Tests (270 points)

Students are required to complete a variety of assignments and three examinations throughout the semester.
Assignments are based on information presented in the classroom and chapters from the assigned textbook.
Assignments require the student to think and work independently. Examinations are based on lecture content
and required readings from the assigned textbook. Three in-class examinations are administered throughout the
semester. Each exam worth 90 points. Exams will be multiple choice, true false, short-answer and diagram. Exams will
be administered at the beginning of the class, so be on time. Be sure to bring a #2 pencil to every exam. You will need to
bring the A4 size scantron sheets for the exam. This is your responsibility. When you finish the exam, please leave the
classroom quietly. Do not talk outside the class. Make-up exams will be given only to students who have missed an exam
for a legitimate reason (with valid documentation), provided that the instructor clears the absence from the exam in
advance or within 24-hours of the exam. Make-up exams are in written format. Instructor will set the date for make-up
exams.

Quiz & Attendance (30 points)

Index cards will be used throughout the semester for in-class participation exercises (quiz). You can earn credits by
participating in-class exercises. You are asked to obtain index cards and bring it to class each day. There will be no make-
ups for missed in-class exercises. Participation points will be posted on Moodle so that you can track your progress. If
there is a discrepancy of any sort regarding points earned, you must let the instructor know immediately (within 2 class
meetings). Do not wait until the end of the semester to check your points. The instructor will not adjust point totals after
two class meetings have passed.

Grading System
Final grades will be assigned based on the total number of points earned from the three tests (90%; max points = 270) and
class participation & attendance (10%; max points = 30), as follows:
270 - 300 =A
240 - 269 =B
210 - 239 =C
Revised 1/11/18
 180 - 209 =D
< 179 =F
This grading system is based on the traditional 10 point scale (i.e., 0.90 and above = A; 0.80 to 0 .89 = B; 0.70 to 0.79 =
C; 0.60 to .69 = D; 0.59 and below = F). Plus / minus grading will be applied (e.g., 98-100% is an A+, 97-93% is an A,
92-90% is an A- and so forth; see Addendum below for breakdown).

Class Policies
1. Attendance. Class participation comprises 10% of the grade for this course, so regular attendance is strongly
encouraged. No make-ups will be offered for missed in-class activities. During class meetings, please show respect for
the learning process and be respectful to your classmates and instructor. Silence or turn off your cell phones; and do not
talk while the instructor is talking (or a classmate is asking a question). Computers are allowed for students who wish
to access class material and take notes during class. Students are not allowed to surf the web for personal use
during class time. Students should not be on social media sites or engage in personal shopping during class
time.

2. Make-up Policy. Make-up exams will only be given to students who have missed an exam for a legitimate reason
(with valid documentation) and must be cleared in advance or within 24-hours of the scheduled exam by the instructor.

3. Students with disabilities. Please let me know if you have any special needs and are registered with the Office of
Disability Services on campus: 112 Johnston Hall, 225-578-5919 (phone), 225-578-2600 (TDD), or disability@lsu.edu.

4. Academic Honesty. Students are responsible for maintaining the highest standards of honesty and integrity. All
students are expected to know what is involved in cheating and what constitutes plagiarism. Academic misconduct of any
sort will not be tolerated in this class. Here are some examples of academic misconduct (note: this is a partial list, not a
comprehensive listing):
 Cheating on an examination
 Stealing or sharing examination questions
 Plagiarism—using another person’s published ideas or words without proper citation or using someone
else’s written work and “doctoring” it up to make it look as though you wrote it
 Collaboration on assignments that should be done individually
 Presenting false information or deception of any sort
Deception, cheating or assisting someone who cheats and/or deceives are serious offenses that will be taken up with the
student judiciary with no exceptions.

5. Diversity Statement. “LSU strives to create an inclusive, respectful, intellectually challenging climate that embraces
individual difference in age, race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, socio-
economic status, disability, family status, experiences, spirituality, opinions, and ideas.” For more information, please
contact the Office of Diversity, 135 Thomas Boyd Hall (phone 225-578-5736, email diversity@lsu.edu).

COURSE OUTLINE
(subject to change at my discretion)

January 11 Introduction (The origins of language) ch. 1

16 Animals and human language ch. 2

18, 23 The sounds of language ch. 3

*** Pop-up quiz begins this week ***

25, 30 The sound patterns of language ch. 4

February 1 Word formation ch. 5

Revised 1/11/18
6 Revision lecture ch 1-5

8 *** Test 1 ***

13 *** Mardi Gras Holiday ***

15 Morphology ch. 6

20 Grammar ch. 7

22, 27 Syntax ch. 8

March 1, 6 Semantics ch. 9

8 Pragmatics ch. 10

9 Revision lecture ch 6-10

13 *** Test 2 ***

15 Discourse analysis ch. 11

20, 22 Language and the brain ch. 12

27, 29 *** Spring Break Holiday ***

April 3, 5 First language acquisition ch. 13

10 Second language acquisition/ learning ch. 14

12 Gestures and sign languages ch. 15

17 Language history and change ch. 17

19 Language and regional variation ch. 18/19

24, 26 Discussion & Final review

May 5 *** Test 3 ***

7:30 am – 9:30 am

Addendum

10 Point Scale Plus/Minus Grading

270 to 300 = A 294 to 300 = A + 279 to 293 = A 270 to 278 = A –

240 to 269 = B 264 to 269 = B + 249 to 263 = B 240 to 248 = B –
210 to 239 = C 234 to 239 = C + 219 to 233 = C 210 to 218 = C –
180 to 209 = D 204 to 209 = D + 189 to 203 = D 180 to 188 = D –
≤179 = F ≤179 = F

Revised 1/11/18