2024-25

This course is an introduction to the study of speech sounds and their patterning in the world's languages. The first half of the course focuses on how speech sounds are described with respect to their articulatory, acoustic, and perceptual structures. There are lab exercises both in phonetic transcription and in the acoustic analysis of speech sounds. The second half focuses on fundamental notions that have always been central to phonological analysis and that transcend differences between theoretical approaches: contrast, neutralization, natural classes, distinctive features, and basic phonological processes (e.g., assimilation).

T Th 11:00am-12:20pm

A foundational principle of cognitive science is that the workings of cognitive systems--whether biological, mechanical, or digital--can be productively represented by the operation of formal computational models. This course provides a survey of popular modeling frameworks (such as Bayesian rational agents, connectionist networks, dynamical systems, etc.), as well as the cognitive phenomena that these models have been used to simulate. We will discuss the theoretical commitments of these models, assess strengths and weaknesses of each framework for addressing different types of cognitive questions, and analyze the implications of these models' successes and failures for our understanding of the mind.

Mon Wed : 03:00 PM-04:20 PM

T Th 12:30pm-1:50pm

M W 11:30am-12:20pm

This course serves as a graduate-level introduction to the study of sociolinguistic variation. We explore the three waves of linguistic variation and how differences in language-use connect with larger ideological categories such as race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexuality, and locality. This course is designed to explore sociolinguistics from a quantitative variationist approach, while drawing on theory from linguistic anthropology. Graduate students will read peer-reviewed journal articles in the field, design their own research project on a sociolinguistics' topic, as well as acquire practical skills in the field including performing sociolinguistic interviews, transcribing, and analyzing morphosyntactic or sociophonetic variables.

T, 2:00 PM-4:50 PM

This course is an independent study under the guidance of a faculty advisor, indicated by the section number. Please consult with the faculty member in question before enrolling.

This seminar will include readings from recent work on the morphosyntactic and phonological structure of sign languages. Discussion will focus on how the distribution of key structures and constraints can be employed to reveal systematic variation in a wide range of contexts. Language emergence, sociolinguistics, historical linguistics, and language typology are among the contexts that will be addressed.  3 credits. Pre-requisites: One course in phonology and one course in syntax, or permission of the instructor.

T 2:00pm-4:50pm

The course aims to guide students on their research in a structured way and to present professionalization information crucial to success in the field. The course is organized largely around working on the research paper, with the goal of making it a conference-presentable and journal-publishable work. Topics covered include abstracts, publishing, handouts, presentation skills, course design, creating and maintaining a CV, cover letters, webpages, and in general everything that is required for you to successfully compete for jobs in linguistics.

M W F 11:30am-12:20pm

M 12:30pm-1:00pm

The field methods course is a two-quarter course, taken by graduate students and advanced undergraduates. (Students may elect to take the course more than once.) This course is devoted to the elicitation, transcription, organization, and analysis of linguistic data from a native speaker of a language not commonly studied. Students will also gain practical experience in the use of fieldwork equipment. Language chosen may vary from year to year.

M W 3:00pm-4:20pm