This course is an introduction to linguistics, the scientific study of human language. We will focus on some basic questions about human language: What do we actually know when we know a language? How is the structure of language best described? Are there properties which all languages share? What is a possible language?

For most of the semester, we will concentrate on some of the main areas of linguistic theory: sounds and their patterns (phonetics, phonology), words (morphology), and sentences (syntax). Time permitting, we will also look at how children acquire language (language acquisition) and how languages change (historical linguistics).

Contemporary Linguistics: An Introduction. O'Grady et al (Eds.). 5th Edition. Bedford: St. Martins.

Homework (35%). Homework assignments will teach you how to do linguistics more than anything else. You will generally be given an assignment every class meeting, which will be due at the beginning of the following class. Late assignments will NOT be accepted, unless you missed the class when the assignment was originally due. You may work together, as long as you: (i) write the name of the person who you worked with at the top of the page below yours; (ii) write up the assignment you turn in on your own. If doing an assignment makes you think of a question you would like us to go over in class, please write it at the end of your assignment and I'll do my best to respond - either in class or just to you, whichever seems most appropriate.

Exams (50%). There will be four exams (on Morphology, Phonetics, Phonology, and Syntax, respectively). There will be NO make-up exams. If for some reason you absolutely cannot make it to an exam, you must let me know in advance.

Attendance (10%) and Participation (5%). To do well in this course, it is essential that you attend all classes; lectures will frequently cover material not available in the textbook. Attendance will be taken at all lectures. You are allowed to miss up to two lectures without penalty; these allowable absences should be enough to cover most illnesses, family emergencies, and days of religious observance. Because these absences are allowable, you do not need to bring excuses to me. If your absences do not exceed two, you get the full 10 points for the attendance portion of your final course grade. If you miss more than two classes, your grade will be reduced by 2 points for each excess absence, up to a maximum of 10 points. If you feel you merit an exception to this rule, then you should talk to me about it at the end of the semester. I will look at your attendance record and ask you to explain all of your absences throughout the semester. Cutting class twice and then using a religious holiday or a wedding as an excuse the third time is not an adequate explanation; you should have planned for the religious holiday before skipping class.

http://rci.rutgers.edu/~mlandman/ling201/

Be aware of university regulations on academic honesty! Ask me when in doubt. The following are considered to be cheating: copying or sharing all or part of a homework assignment; copying answers from books; copying or sharing information during an exam.