Linguistic Studies

LING 101 - Language, Communication, and Culture (4)

An introduction to the role of language and its various forms of transmission in the construction of individual and cultural identity. Topics include language and gender, language and ethnicity, language and social structures.

Offered: annually.

ANTH 104 - Cultural Diversity: Cultural Anthropology and Linguistics (4)

A comparative examination of the cultural diversity of humanity. Using case studies of peoples in differing contexts, the course presents theories and data on a range of topics for understanding contemporary human conditions, including subsistence strategies, political and economic systems, religion and expressive behavior, language, culture change, and the interdependence of cultures throughout the planet.

Offered: every semester.

ANTH 201 - History of Anthropological Theory (4)

An examination of the history of anthropology, from its philosophical foundations to contemporary directions and themes. Focuses on the main theoretical approaches in the field. Situates the contributions of major figures with references to intellectual traditions and contemporary problems.

Offered: fall semester.

Prerequisite: ANTH 104.

ENGL 220 - History and Structure of the English Language (4)

A study of the development of English from Anglo-Saxon to its present status as a "global" language. The development of English is placed within the framing social, political and economic contexts of its speakers. May also examine the historical development of theories attempting to explain English, its styles, dialects, and literatures.

Offered: in alternate spring semesters.

ENGL 320 - Advanced Studies in History of the Language (2-4)

Topics may include Anglo-Saxon ("Old English") language, Middle English, African American Vernacular English, dialect studies, global Englishes.

Course may be repeated.

Offered: in alternate spring semesters.

Prerequisite: ENGL+20A, 20B, 21A, 21B.

LING 201 - Topics in the Study of Language (2)

The discipline of linguistics is concerned with language in all of the different ways it functions. When the material and approaches of any academic field are applied to language, that application is within the purview of linguistics. This course will expose students to some of the many areas in which language can be the topic, chosen from the following: philosophy, sociology, neurophysiology, cognitive and developmental psychology, foreign languages, evolutionary and cultural anthropology. It will draw on the expertise of professors from a variety of departments, each 'visiting scholar,' so to speak, presenting material from his or her own field as it intersects with the study of language.

Offered: Offering to be determined.

LING 220 - History and Structure of the English Language (4)

A study of the development of English from Anglo-Saxon to its present status as a global language. Examines the historical development of theories attempting to explain English, its styles, dialects, and literatures. Recommended: LING 101.

LING 300 - Independent Study in Linguistic Studies (2-4)

Experiential fieldwork or other research in theoretical, applied linguistics, or language teaching, developed in consultation with a member of the linguistic studies faculty. Open only to linguistic studies minors.

Course may be repeated.

Offered: Offering to be determined.

LING 302 - Sociolinguistic Theory and Method (4)

This course explores how language shapes the ways people communicate and how language forms social identities and influences group membership. It examines the cultural beliefs and ideologies embedded in language and how they inform the organization of society. The course will explore topics such as language and power, linguistic ideologies, language socialization, language and identity, linguistic variation, and linguistic ethnography. This course puts linguist theory into practice through the exploration and application of theory from the fields of sociolinguistics and linguistic anthropology. Students will learn the theory and method of linguistic research and collect original data for analysis. This course is taught in English.

Offered: Offering to be determined.

Prerequisite: Undergraduate level LING 101  Minimum Grade of D- or Undergraduate level LING 220  Minimum Grade of D- or Undergraduate levelENGL 220  Minimum Grade of D-or Undergraduate levelANTH 104  Minimum Grade of D- orUndergraduate level SPAN 310  Minimum Grade of D-.

PHIL 313 - Analytic Philosophy (4)

A seminar on influential work of 20th-century philosophers who developed and practiced methods of analysis. Discussions center on problems in the philosophy of language and on problems of epistemology concerning the grounds for our knowledge of the external world, of the past, and of ourselves and others. Readings are drawn from the works of Russell, Moore, Ayer, Ryle, Strawson, and Quine.

Offered: fall semester in even-numbered years.

PHIL 352 - Philosophy of Language (4) (Same as: HISTG+152.)

A seminar on problems of meaning, truth, and reference. Discussions focus on some of the following topics: the nature of names and descriptions, identity statements and their analysis, necessary truths, the semantic theory of truth, the thesis of the interdeterminacy of translation, and the problem of propositional attitudes. Readings include selections from Frege, Russell, Strawson, Quine, Tarski, Austin, Searle, Wittgenstein, and Kripke.

Offered: fall semester in odd-numbered years.

SOC 309 - Sociology of Mass Communications (4) (Same as: BKHIS+810.)

An overview of how the mass media and American cultural, political and economic institutions mutually affect each other. Systems of mass communication examined include books, the Internet, magazines, movies, newspapers, and television. Two topics to be emphasized are: 1) the production, control, and consumption of various forms of information in the mass media; 2) comparative analyses of the uses of mass media in different countries.

Offered: fall semester.

Prerequisite: SOC 101 or permission of instructor.

SPAN 363 - History of the Spanish Language (4)

An advanced study of the Spanish language examining its history and development from Latin to the phonological and syntactic descriptions found in present-day usage. Topics include comparative data on Spanish-American and peninsular Spanish, dialectology, sociolinguistics, and idiomatic usage. Linguistic study as applied to literature and pedagogical implications is explored.

Prerequisite: Prerequisite: SPAN 310 or concurrent registration with SPAN 310 or special permission.

SPAN 364 - Introduction to Spanish Linguistics (4)

This survey course introduces the primary fields of Spanish linguistics including: phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, historical linguistics, and sociolinguistics. We will examine the terminology and theoretical frameworks used in each field for the analysis of the Spanish language. Students will put linguistic theory to practice through the completion of exercises and the analysis of speech and text. We will also examine the social contexts that structure the use of language and its speakers by exploring the Spanish language in various settings around the world.

Prerequisite: Prerequisite: SPAN 310 or concurrent registration with SPAN 310 or special permission.

SPAN 365 - Spanish Sociolinguistics (4)

This course will familiarize students with issues of language use in context in Spanish-speaking communities around the world. Students will learn the field's main findings and methods for sociolinguistic analysis. They will become familiar with concepts such as linguistic variation, linguistic change, standard vs. non-prestigious varieties, bilingualism, diglossia, language attitudes, language planning, and conversation analysis.

Prerequisite: Prerequisite: SPAN 310 or concurrent registration with SPAN 310 or by special permission.

SPAN 378 - Selected Topics in Spanish Language and Linguistics (2-4)

The study of a topic or topics in Spanish language and linguistics not covered by the current offerings of the Spanish department. In any given semester the course may be offered as a single four-credit unit or divided into two separate topics, each carrying two credits.

May be repeated for credit as topic changes.

Prerequisite: Prerequisite: SPAN 310  or ocncurrent registration with SPAN 310 or special permission.

ENGL 221 - History of Rhetoric (4)

Rhetoric, most typically defined as "the art of persuasion," has had a variety of descriptions based on the describer and his or her historical context. This class will study the changing definitions of rhetoric from 5th-century B.C. Greece to contemporary American culture and why those changes took place. Students will also be asked to analyze rhetoric's relation to politics, religion, law and cultural identity from antiquity to the present day.

Offered: in alternate spring semesters.

ENGL 278 - Literary Translation (4)

This seminar introduces students to a variety of theoretical approaches to literary translation, as well as experience in translating literary texts. The course will begin with a history of approaches to translation, by reading both theoretical essays and a set of common texts in multiple translations, including works of classical and Biblical literature as well as contemporary prose and poetry. Each student will then undertake a translation of a short work of fiction or poetry with the goal of producing a publishable text in English. Students may work from any language into English or from a dialect or historical variety of English into a contemporary idiom. The seminar will feature guest lectures by Drew faculty from various programs whose work includes literary translation speaking about their own projects and experience as translators.

Signature of instructor required for registration.

Same as: WLIT 260.

MUS 230 - Techniques of the Voice (4)

A study of the basic elements of fine vocal production. Studies anatomy, physiology, and physics of the human voice. Emphasizes good vowel and co-production. Explores the various registers of the voice. Uses a phonetic approach to teach the basics of Italian, German, English, and French sin diction. 

NEUR 101 - Introduction to Neuroscience (4)

This introductory course explores how the physical properties of the brain give rise to mental processes. Students will investigate current major challenges in neuroscience research such as searching for a cure to Alzheimer's disease, examining the biological basis of memory and investigating the nature of consciousness. While focusing in these challenges, students will learn important fundamental knowledge of neuroscience in the area of genetics, neurotransmission, neural development, brain anatomy, cognition and computational neural modeling.

NEUR 354 - Cognitive Neuroscience (4)

This course examines the mechanisms by which the nervous system supports higher mental functions, with a focus on how neural structures represent and transform information. The course draws on a variety of disciplines including cognitive psychology, neurobiology, computer science, linguistics, and philosophy. Discussion topics include perception, attention, memory, language, executive function, emotion, development, social cognition, consciousness, and neuroethics. Laboratory and off-campus activities will expose students to a variety of empirical research techniques, such as functional neuroimaging, single-neuron electrophysiology, and electroencephalography, commonly employed in cognitive neuroscience research.

Same as: PSYC 354.

Prerequisite: PSYC 211 and PSYC 220) OR BIOL 356 OR BIOL 346 OR permission of instructor.

PHIL 213 - Introduction to Logic (4) (Same as: MATH 213.)

A study of the principles and methods of correct reasoning. Emphasizes the analysis of arguments, informal fallacies, and elementary deductive logic.

Offered: annually.

PSYC 353 - Cognition (4)

An examination of both the data and theory of cognition including such topics as: attention, perception, memory, imagery, language, problem solving, reasoning, and decision making.

Offered: annually.

Prerequisite: PSYC 101 and either PSYC 211 or one year of college biology.

PSYC 354 - Cognitive Neuroscience (4) (Same as: NEUR 354.)

This course examines the mechanisms by which the nervous system supports higher mental functions, with a focus on how neural structures represent and transform information. The course draws on a variety of disciplines including cognitive psychology, neurobiology, computer science, linguistics, and philosophy. Discussion topics include perception, attention, memory, language, executive function, emotion, development, social cognition, consciousness, and neuroethics. Laboratory and off-campus activities will expose students to a variety of empirical research techniques, such as functional neuroimaging, single-neuron electrophysiology, and electroencephalography, commonly employed in cognitive neuroscience research.

Prerequisite: (PSYC 211 and PSYC 220) OR BIOL 356 OR BIOL 346 OR permission of instructor.

SPAN 345 - Cinematic Language: An Introduction to Spanish Filmic Discourse (4)

An advanced study of Spanish cinema and its cinematographic expression through a systematic analysis of the filmic processes. Based on four basic issues in Spanish films: hybridization; violence; sexual allure; and regional cinemas (Catalan and Basque), students will explore how language mechanisms - ellipsis, transitions, metaphors, symbols, dialogues, narrative processes, time and space are utilized by filmmakers to create unique discursive texts.

Prerequisite: SPAN 310 or special permission.

WLIT 260 - Literary Translation (4) (Same as: ENGL 278.)

This seminar introduces students to a variety of theoretical approaches to literary translation, as well as experience in translating literary texts. The course will begin with a history of approaches to translation, by reading both theoretical essays and a set of common texts in multiple translations, including works of classical and Biblical literature as well as contemporary prose and poetry. Each student will then undertake a translation of a short work of fiction or poetry with the goal of producing a publishable text in English. Students may work from any language into English or from a dialect or historical variety of English into a contemporary idiom. The seminar will feature guest lectures by Drew faculty from various programs whose work includes literary translation speaking about their own projects and experience as translators.

Signature of instructor required for registration.

Prerequisite: WLIT 101 or permission of instructor.

Additional courses may also be applicable. Consult the Linguistic Studies course listing.