Colloquium

Introduction to Linguistics

Dr. K. Guffey The best way to contact me is by e-mail.

Academic 103D

770-358-5232

k_guffey@gordonstate.edu

Office hours: MW 10:45-2:00

TR 1:45-2:00

Objectives: Students will demonstrate an understanding of the phonemes and allophones of English by transcribing words phonemically and phonetically. They will identify English morphemes. They will demonstrate an understanding of the significance of dialectical differences. They will also demonstrate an understanding of the basics of sound change and language change. Students will show an understanding of how language is intricately linked with politics, religion, economics, & other societal components.

Note: This class will include discussions, both in class & online, of controversial language topics. In fact, the course paper must be about a controversial topic, such as racist language, euphemisms, the place of Spanish in the U.S., etc. While discussions may become heated, students are expected to take a step back & endeavor to look at the topic objectively, to understand the difference between fact & opinion, & to respect the right of others to have a different opinion.

Absences: Because there is no textbook and because linguistics is a completely new subject to the vast majority of students, absences will be highly detrimental to the student´s learning and therefore his grade. In short, you will have a very hard time learning outside of class what is taught in class. You need to find someone who takes exceptionally good notes. The instructor will help you but will not reteach the classes you miss. On the other hand, the workload in this class is very light, so while you absolutely cannot afford to miss class, you will not be spending a lot of time doing assignments.

Final day to drop any class without a penalty of WF is October 3.

Math Section: If the instructor ever refers you to the math section on the syllabus, this is it:

Rarely are there 100 points on any test. Therefore, the number at the top of your test is your PERCENTAGE, not the actual number that are correct. If you have -6 at the top of your paper but a 90%, don’t go to the instructor and say, “Shouldn’t this be a 94, since I only missed 6?” You missed 6 out of 60, not 6 out of 100. That’s 10%. To find percentages, you multiply the number missed by 100 and divide by the number of total points on the test. That is, if you missed six out of 60 points, you multiply 6 by 100 (=600) and then divide 600 by 60 (=10) and deduct that from 100 (=90%) to get your score.

Classroom behavior: You may not eat in class. This includes sandwiches, chips, candy, and all other types of food. Failure to schedule a lunch period is not an excuse for eating in class.

You are not allowed to use the classroom printer without permission from the instructor.

Turn your cell phone off before entering class. You may not have a cell phone in your hand, on your desk, or anywhere in sight during the entire class. Expect penalties for cell phone usage; the instructor will refer you to changes in the syllabus if usage becomes a problem.

Students are not allowed to use offensive language in class. This includes “four-letter words” as well as words that may offend others because of religious beliefs.

Cheating: If you commit any action that constitutes cheating, you will receive a 0 on the test or quiz. You may also be expelled from the course or receive an F in the course, actions that are at the discretion of the instructor and the department head. If you cheat on a mid-term or final exam, you will receive an F in the course.

Grade notification: Students always receive their graded tests back the class day after they take them, so do not e-mail or call the instructor asking for the grade any earlier. Going to her office to ask for the information is fine. Instructors are not permitted to e-mail final exam grades or final grades, to give out that information over the phone, or to post the grades, so please do not ask. Grades are posted on Banner very soon after exams are over.

Contact:

Grading:

Tests 10%

Quizzes 15%

Mid-term 20%

Homework/

participation 15%

Paper 20%

Final Exam 20%

Final Exam: MW 9:30 – Mon., Dec. 5, 10:15-12:15

TW 11:00 class—Wed., Dec. 7, 10:15-12:15

12:30 class—Fri., Dec. 2, 10:15-12:15

2:00 linguistics class—Wed., Dec. 7, 12:30-2:30