Winter 2006

Dr. Battenburg  jbattenb@calpoly.edu
Office:   47-25D
Phone:  756-2945
Office Hours:   M, W 3-4 or by appointment

Texts:

Akmajian, Adrian, et al.  2001.  Linguistics:  An Introduction to Language and Communication.  5th ed.  Cambridge, MA:  MIT.

Oaks, Dallin D.  1998.  Linguistics at Work:  A Reader of Applications.  Fort Worth:  Harcourt  Brace. 

Course Description:

ENGLISH 503 focuses on topics within theoretical and applied linguistics.  Particular attention will be paid to using the tools provided by descriptive linguistics to deal with real-world language challenges.  Students will be expected to participate actively in class discussions and presentations, submit various assignments, take a midterm examination, and write an 18-20 page paper.

In-class activities and reading assignments will be supplemented by accessing websites in linguistics. Student will be required to use the computer to participate in these online activities. The address for my Cal Poly Linguistics Site is as follows: http://cla.calpoly.edu/~jbattenb/ling/

Class Requirements:

1. Attendance is required.  Absences make it impossible for you to participate and thus will lower your final grade. 
2. No late assignments, exams, or papers will be accepted.  Incompletes will not be given except in the case of severe illness or death. 
3. Class participation:  15% 
4. Quizzes and assignment:  15% 
5. Midterm exam:  35% 
6. Paper:  35% 

W  4 Jan. 

Introduction to Linguistics

What is Linguistics?  Chap. 1 (Akmajian et al.)

M  9

Phonetics  Chap. 3  (Akmajian et al.)

W 11

Phonetics  Chap. 3  (Akmajian et al.)

Phonology  Chap. 4  (Akmajian et al.)

M 16

Vacation

W 18

Phonology  Chap. 4  (Akmajian et al.)

M 23

Online Assignment Due

Morphology  Chap. 2  (Akmajian et al.)

W 25 

Syntax  Chap. 5  (Akmajian et al.)

M 30 

Syntax  Chap. 5  (Akmajian et al.)

W 1 Feb. 

Semantics  Chap. 6  (Akmajian et al.)

Pragmatics  Chap. 9  (Akmajian et al.)

M  6

Language Variation  Chap. 7  (Akmajian et al.)

Language Change  Chap. 8  (Akmajian et al.)

W  8 

Linguistics, Education, and Social Policy
"Beyond Black English"  (Wolfram)
"Applied Linguistics and Language Policy and Planning"  (Kaplan)

Linguistics and Composition
"Transformational-Generative Syntax and the Teaching of Sentence Mechanics"  (Noguchi)
"The Rhetoric/Syntax Split"  (Kroll)  (Handout)

M  13 

EXAM

W 15

Linguistics and Law
"The Judicial Testing of Linguistic Theory"  (Labov)
"Mc-:  Meaning in the Marketplace"  (Lentine and Shuy)

Linguistics, Medicine, and Therapy
"Communication Barriers in Medical Settings  (Diaz-Duque)
"Doctor Talk/Patient Talk"  (Fisher)

M 20

Linguistics, Business, and the Workplace
"Pidgin English Advertising"  (Romaine)
"There's More to a Name"  (Cohen)
"Fatal Words"  (Cushing)

Linguistics and Issues of Gender, Race, and Culture
"The Power of Talk"  (Tannen)
"Eskimo Words for Snow"  (Martin)

W 22

Linguistics and Literary Analysis
"Studying Literature as Language"  (Fowler)
"Blame It on Twain"  (Southard and Muller)

Linguistics and Translation
"Communicating the Scriptures across Cultures"  (Noss)
"The Unbreakable Language Code in the Pacific Theatre of World War II"  (Gyi)

M 27 

Linguistics and Language Instruction
"Compliments in Cross-Cultural Perspective"  (Wolfson)
"Applied Linguistics:  The Use of Linguistics in ESL"  (Paulston)

Lexicography
"Dimensions of Usage and Dictionary Labeling"  (Card et al.)
"Lexicography with Particular Reference to English Learners' Dictionaries"  (Hartmann)  (Handout)

W  1 Mar.

Presentations

M  6 

Presentations

W 8 

Presentations

PAPER DUE: Wednesday, March 8

Presentations Continued during Final Exam Period

Research Paper/Project Guidelines 

 Your assignment is to conduct original research concerning an issue in applied linguistics.  The more successful papers tend to be problem solving in nature.   Although you are responsible for taking other studies into account, make sure you do not merely quote or summarize previous research.  Remember to select a topic which can be adequately handled in this type of project. 

 The paper should be 18-20 pages in length, typed, double-spaced, with one inch margins.  You may use either the MLA or LSA style.  Be consistent with the format and style you adopt.  You have considerable freedom in selecting a topic; however, you must consider an issue or problem which can be examined within a linguistic framework.  Recommended resources to begin your research include the following located in the Cal Poly Library reference room: International Encyclopedia of Linguistics, 4 vols. (1992) and The Encyclopedia of Language and Linguistics, 10 vols. (1994). 

 A variety of possible areas within applied linguistics deserve further study:  dialectology, language and gender, first and second language acquisition or learning, language evaluation, national language planning, literacy, bilingualism, language use and the professions, language in politics, advertising, classrooms, and courts, computer applications to linguistics, linguistic analysis of literature or composition, translation, and lexicography. 

 At the end of the quarter, you will be expected to present your research findings to the class.  Please do not simply read your paper.  You will have an opportunity to discuss significant aspects of your research project, and then there will be time for questions and answers.  Some students have found it useful to distribute hand-outs or use the blackboard to illustrate various ideas.  Basically, you should plan on your presentation to approximately 15 minutes. 
 

Suggestions for Class Presentations on Assigned Readings

For a seminar class to be effective, all participants must take an active part in class discussions.  Each of you will be responsible for presenting two articles.  You are being asked to prepare in-depth for one class period in order to guide and facilitate exploration of an issue in Applied Lingustics, 

Basically, I expect you to have a thorough grasp of both the assigned reading and relevant related research.  When you are leading out in the class discussion, come prepared with comments and questions.