Introduction to Linguistics 3200-L1-0WJA
The aim of the course is to present an overview of contemporary linguistics and its basic concepts, and to discuss the main theories and schools of linguistics of the 19th-21st century along with their terminology. During the course, students learn about the components of the language system and relationships between them, and are shown tools and methodologies used for analysing these dimensions.
The course consists of three main parts. In the introductory part, "Language and linguistics", students learn about the definitions of the terms 'language' and 'linguistics'. The reasons why linguistics is a scientific discipline are also discussed. The second part, "Language: system and structure", covers three dimensions of the language system: grammar, semantics and pragmatics. Subsequent lectures in the field of grammar focus on basic issues, concepts, theories and models of, respectively: phonology, morphology (word formation and inflection) and syntax. By contrast, the lectures devoted to semantics present the basic concepts in this field, including those related to the linguistic sign against other types of signs. A separate topic is the theory of communication, in particular with reference to models of language communication by Bühler and Jacobson. This part of the course ends with a lecture on pragmatics. The last series of lectures presents a historical outline of linguistics, beginning with a concise overview of research in antiquity, the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Enlightenment. The main area of interest is, however, modern linguistics: structuralism, generative-transformational grammar, and contemporary cognitive linguistics.
Student workload:
Lecture (contact hours): 30 hours
Preparation for the lecture: 10 hours
Preparation for the exam: 20 hours
Total: 60 hours
Type of course
Mode
Prerequisites (description)
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
The student:
knows the structure of language as a system, has basic knowledge of the position and importance of linguistics and its subdomains (general and applied) in the system of scientific disciplines, and understands their specific nature;
knows the basic terminology in linguistics (general and applied);
has advanced knowledge of the stages in the development of linguistics as a field of knowledge in historical perspective, understands the complex nature of language and its historical variability;
knows an outline of the main directions of development and the most important new scientific achievements in the field of linguistics (general and applied);
knows and understands the specificity of contemporary paradigms of linguistics (general and applied), has an ordered general knowledge of linguistic theory and methodology;
knows and understands the connections between linguistics and other fields and subfields of science;
has elementary research skills, can formulate research problems and can use research tools of applied linguistics;
can choose appropriate methods to solve problems within linguistics;
is able to properly apply theoretical knowledge in the field of linguistics in typical professional situations, including team projects, also in those of an interdisciplinary character;
is ready to critically assess their own knowledge of linguistics, appreciates the importance of fact-based argumentation in solving research and practical problems (in professional situations).
Assessment criteria
Assessment criteria:
attendance (required to get credit and take exam)
written exam (winter exam session)
Two unexcused absences are allowed. If the student has more than two absences, including the justified ones, they should ask the lecturer to specify the form of obtaining the credit for the material from the classes in which the student was absent, and then obtain the credit for this material before the end of the semester. If there are more than 50% of absences, the student may not obtain credit for the course, pursuant to the Regulations of Studies.
Exam results: percentages and grades:
99% -100 - 5!
98% - 91% - 5
90% - 86% - 4,5
85% - 76% - 4
75% - 71% - 3.5
70% - 60% - 3
less than 60% - 2
Practical placement
n/a
Bibliography
1. One of the textbooks to choose from:
Fromkin, V., R. Rodman, N. Hyams (2011) An introduction to language (9th edition), Boston: Wordsworth.
=> Pages: 3-21, 76-107, 118-155, 192-216, 230-257, 272-300
OR
Akmajian, A., R. A. Demers, M. Farmer & R. M. Harnish (2010). Linguistics, an introduction to language and communication. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press.
=> Chapters: 1-6, 8, 9
OR
Denham, K. E. & A. C. Lobeck (2010). Linguistics for everyone: An introduction. 2nd ed. Boston, MA: Wadsworth / Cengage Learning.
=> Chapters: 1, 3-10
2. History of linguistics
Aronoff, M., J. Rees-Miller (2002) The Handbook of Linguistics, London: Blackwell.
=> Chapters 4 and 5 (81-129)
Harris, R. T., J. Talbor (1997) Landmarks in Linguistic Thought, Volume 1: The Western Tradition from Socrates to Saussure, Florence, KY: Routledge.
=> Introduction
3. A dictionary of linguistic terms
glossaries in the textbooks listed in (1)
and / or
Trask, R. L. (1998) Key concepts in language and linguistics, Florence, KY: Routledge.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: