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 ©Hurst, 2000
Updated 07/27/00

Required Texts:

Akmajian, Adrian, Richard A. Demers, and Robert M. Harnish.  Linguistics: An 
     Introduction to Language and Communication.  4th ed.  Cambridge: MIT 
     P, 1995.
Harris, Roy, and Talbot J. Taylor.  Landmarks in Linguistic Thought: The Western 
     Tradition from Socrates to Sassure.  2nd ed.  New York: Routledge, 1997.
Newmeyer, Frederick.  The Politics of Linguistics.  Chicago: U of Chicago P, 1988.
A collection of materials available at Copy Tech in West Hall or at the Reserve Desk in 
     the library.

Recommended Text:

Harris, Randy Allen.  The Linguistics Wars.  New York: Oxford UP, 1993.

Course Objectives and Course Design:

     This course will provide a graduate-level introduction to the concepts and theories of modern linguistics.  Our primary objectives will be (1) to develop a formal understanding of what language is and how language systems work and (2) to develop a basic awareness of some of the fundamental ways in which linguists approach and analyze language.  To accomplish these objectives we will learn about the major subfields of descriptive and applied linguistics and we will review some of the current issues and strategies in linguistic research.  Our emphasis will be primarily but not exclusively on the English language.  Most class meetings will be organized around a lecture-discussion format.

Course Requirements:

     Students will attend class regularly, having completed the designated readings and assignments in advance, and will participate constructively in class discussions.
     Students will take two written tests.  The format of each test will be discussed in class.
     Students will write these three short papers: a journal review, a book review, and a research proposal.  Specific instructions for these papers will be distributed in class. 
     Students will present oral reports about their three written assignments and about designated reading assignments. 

How to Contact Your Professor:

 Send her an e-mail message at <mjhurst@ttacs.ttu.edu>.
 Visit her during office hours in 217 English or call her office (742-2544) at any time.
 Speak to her before or after class to arrange an appointment.
 Leave a message for her with a secretary in 216 English (742-2501).
 Call her at home: _________.

     In order to pass the course, a student must complete all course requirements, including the oral report assignments.  Each student's final grade will be determined by the quality of work done during the semester.  Final grades will be formulated by averaging each student's five semester grades from the two tests and the three papers.  Extra credit can be earned by preparing hand-outs, overhead displays, or other media support for oral presentations if such supplementary material is of superior quality.  In borderline grade situations, attention will be given to students’ oral presentations and to students’ contributions during class discussions. 

     Students should not expect to arrange make-up tests.

     Paper due dates are listed on the syllabus.  Late papers will be penalized ten points for each day that elapses before the paper is submitted.  However, no materials to be graded other than the final exam will be accepted after the last day of regular classes.

     Students should be present, punctual, and prepared each class day.  A student who is absent or unprepared to an excessive degree is not meeting the course requirements and could receive a failing grade for the course.  Ordinarily, students who miss more than six classes can expect a failing grade.

     Students are welcome and encouraged to set up conferences at mutually convenient times.  Constructive feedback about the course is also welcome at any time.  Students must take responsibility for their own learning.  That is, if a person does not understand something presented in class or if a person is confused about an assignment, then that student should take the initiative to make an appointment with the professor. 

     Plagiarism or other forms of cheating will not be tolerated.  Anyone found cheating can expect to receive an F for the course and to endure other penalties invoked by the dean.

     Any student who, because of a disability, may require special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact the professor as soon as possible to make necessary accommodations.  Students need to present appropriate verification from Disabled Student Services since no requirement exists that accommodations be made prior to completion of this approved university process.

     Other information about university polices can be located in the Graduate Catalog and in the Directory of Classes.  Students with concerns not addressed in this policy statement should discuss their situations with their professor at their earliest convenience.

General Information on the Three Papers

     These assignments are designed to be adaptable to individual interests, and they are intended to be comparatively simple and relatively short.  Therefore, students are expected to produce well-written papers. Students should proofread their work carefully, adhere to the standard conventions of written English, and document their sources in accordance with the latest edition of the MLA Style Manual.  Essays can be informal; use of first person is acceptable.  Quotations should be made sparingly and long excerpts should not be included.  General writing assistance is available from the University Writing Center.
     Efficient students may want to focus all three papers on the same general area of linguistics.  For example, someone might want to review a journal on language acquisition and a book on Piaget and then do a proposal about the preformal operations stage.  However, such a focus is not required, and some students would benefit from reading in a variety of linguistic subfields.