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Home > Courses > Undergraduate Courses in Linguistics and Related Fields
Undergraduate Courses in Linguistics and Related Fields Course Topics
Introductory Linguistics
The Linguistics department offers several survey courses that provide a broad introduction to the field of linguistics. For more information on choosing an introductory linguistics course, see the Introductory Classes page.
LING 200 Introduction to Linguistic Thought (5) I&S/VLPA, QSR
The Linguistics department also offers introductory-level courses in specific areas of linguistics. Note that these courses may not count towards the linguistics majors or minor; see the Elective Requirement page.
LING 100 Fundamentals of Grammar (5) VLPA
In addition, introductory linguistics courses are offered by a number of other departments. Prerequisites may apply, and some departments normally restrict courses to majors; contact department advisors for information.
ASIAN 401 Introduction to Asian Linguistics (5) VLPA Animal Communication
Check the Psychology department listings in the Course Catalog for a variety of courses on animal communication and animal behavior. Prerequisites may apply, and some PSYCH courses are normally open only to PSYCH majors; contact PSYCH advising for information. Of particular interest:
PSYCH 416 Animal Communication (5) NW
Anthropological Linguistics LING/ANTH 203 Introduction to Anthropological Linguistics (5) I&S/VLPA
Linguistic methods, theories used within anthropology. Basic structural features of language; human language and animal communication compared; evidence for the innate nature of language. Language and culture: linguistic relativism, ethnography of communication, sociolinguistics. Language and nationalism, language politics in the U.S. and elsewhere.
LING/ANTH/COM 233 Introduction to Language and Society (5) VLPA
Provides an introduction to the study of language through culture and society, and raises and awareness of the role that society and the individual play in shaping language via the systematic observation and critical discussion of linguistic phenomena.
Check the Anthropology and Communication department listings in the Course Catalog for a variety of courses on language and communication in social and anthropological context. Prerequisites may apply, and some ANTH and COM courses are normally open only to ANTH or COM majors; contact ANTH or COM advising for information. Of particular interest: ANTH 358 Culture and Cognition (5) I&S/NW
Surveys anthropological theories and research on the relationship between language, thought, and behavior. Examines the influence of cultural inheritance on perception, classification, inference, and choice. Describes relevant cross-cultural research methods and evaluates theoretical models used by cognitive anthropologists. Prerequisite: either ANTH 203, LING 203, or PSYCH 355.
ANTH 359 Linguistic Ethnography (5) I&S
Language use in cultural contexts. How language reflects world view. Language use in culturally significant settings. Analyzes sets of culturally specific terms in semantic domains. Includes projects demonstrating application of theory and method to data addressing specific problems.
COM 478 Intercultural Communication (5) I&S
Investigates intercultural communication theory and its application for varying levels of human interaction: interpersonal, intergroup, and international.
COM 484 Cultural Codes in Communication (5) I&S/VLPA
Social and cultural codes in interpersonal communication, with special reference to contemporary American subcultural groups and their communication patterns.
LING/ANTH 464 Language Politics and Cultural Identity (3) I&S/VLPA
Theories and case studies of the power of language and how it is manipulated. Multilingualism, diglossia. Role of language and linguistics in nationalism. Standardization, educational policy, language and ethnicity. World languages, language death and revival. Prerequisite: either LING 200, LING 201, ANTH/LING 203, or LING 400.
Other courses which might be of related interest are:
AES 151 Introduction to the Cultures of American Ethnic Groups (5) I&S Applied Linguistics: Language Teaching EDC&I 453 Teaching the Bilingual-Bicultural Student (3) I&S
Educational needs of bilingual students: research findings, special programs, materials, and methodologies that bilingual-bicultural education can provide to meet those needs. Cultural combinations of bilingual populations in American culture; historical, social, and linguistic factors affecting their K-12 education.
SPLING/SPAN 406 Advanced Spanish Grammar (5) VLPA Problems of Spanish grammar. Differences from English grammar. Techniques for the effective teaching of Spanish. Prerequisites: either SPAN 303, SPAN 316 or 330; SPAN 323. Applied Linguistics: Translation SPAN 408 Spanish Translation Workshop (5) VLPA
Intensive practice in translation to and from Spanish. Texts include literary prose, poetry, expository writing, newspaper and magazine articles. Problems of standard versus colloquial language, transposition of cultural references, concept of fidelity in translation. FRENCH 472 French-English/English-French Translation (5) VLPA
Intense practice of translation from English into French and from French into English. Translation issues specific to French and English syntactic, semantic, and grammatical differences with emphasis on the naturalness of the target language and the accuracy of the translation of the source language. Conducted in French. Computational Linguistics
In addition to the undergraduate-level courses in computational linguistics listed below, the linguistics department's graduate-level courses are open to qualified undergraduates with permission of the instructor.
LING 471 Computational Methods for Linguists (5) QSR
Overview of methods for working with linguistic data in electronic form: electronic corpora, linguistic software tools, textual data formats, operating system fundamentals, and basic programming. LING/CSE 472 Introduction to Computational Linguistics (5) NW/VLPA
Introduction to computational approaches to modeling language, for linguistic research and practical applications, including analyses at different levels of linguistic structure and symbolic as well as statistical approaches. LING 473 Basics for Computational Linguistics (3)
Examines computer applications involving automatic processing of natural language speech or text by machines. Intended as preparation for CLMA core courses. Includes concepts form probability and statistics; formal grammars and languages; finite-state automata and transducers; review of algorithms and data structures; and software for using parallel server cluster.
Check the Computer Science and Engineering listings in the Course Catalog for other relevant courses. Prerequisites may apply, and some CSE courses are normally open only to CSE majors; contact CSE advising for information. Of particular interest:
CSE 142 Computer Programming for Engineers and Scientists I (4) NW, QSR Grammar LING 100 Fundamentals of Grammar (5) VLPA Introduction to basic grammatical concepts and terminology. Specifically intended for students planning to take a foreign language or linguistics. Does not count toward the linguistics major or minor. Historical Linguistics
General Historical Linguistics
Method and theory of historical and comparative linguistics. Problems of phonological, morphological, syntactic, and semantic change and reconstruction.
Language Family-Specific Historical Linguistics
Romance
Comparative historical survey of the development of the principal Romance tongues.
Scandinavian
Development of languages from common Scandinavian to contemporary Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Faroese, and Icelandic.
Slavic
External and internal history of Slavic literary languages from the beginnings to the present time, including the development of writing systems, external attempts at reform, and the development of vocabulary.
Language-Specific Historical Linguistics
Evolution of English sounds, forms, structures, and word meanings from Anglo-Saxon times to the present.
French
Designed for acquisition of reading facility in Old French through intensive study of selected texts.
Greek
Hindi/Urdu
Italian and other Romance Languages
German
Traces the history of the German language from early Germanic to the present.
Japanese
Introduction to the history of the Japanese language, including phonology, morphology, syntax, and the writing system. JAPAN 471 Introduction to Classical Japanese (5) VLPA
Introduction to classical Japanese writing system, grammar, and vocabulary.
Spanish
Historical survey of Spanish phonology, morphology, and syntax, from Latin origins to the modern language. History of Linguistics LING 402 Survey of the History of Linguistics (3) VLPA/I&S
Main trends in linguistic theory and philosophy of linguistics from ancient times through advent of transformational-generative grammar. Includes nineteenth-century comparative and historical grammar, Prague school grammar, American structuralist grammar, major concerns of linguistics today. Language Contact LING 430/ANTH 439 Pidgin and Creole Languages (5) VLPA/I&S
Explores aspects of the linguistic structure, history, and social context of pidgin and creole languages. Creolization as one possible outcome of language contact. Examines theories of creole genesis, similarities and differences between creole and non-creole languages. Language Policy ENGL 478 Language and Social Policy (5) I&S/VLPA
Examines the relationship between language policy and social organization; the impact of language policy on immigration, education, and access to resources and political institutions; language policy and revolutionary change; language rights.
ENGL 479 Language Variation and Language Policy in North America (5) I&S/VLPA
Surveys basic issues of language variation: phonological, syntactic, semantic, and narrative/discourse differences among speech communities of North American English; examines how language policy can affect access to education, the labor force, and political institutions.
LING/ANTH 464 Language Politics and Cultural Identity (3) I&S/VLPA
Theories and case studies of the power of language and how it is manipulated. Multilingualism, diglossia. Role of language and linguistics in nationalism. Standardization, educational policy, language and ethnicity. World languages, language death and revival. Prerequisite: either LING 200, LING 201, ANTH/LING 203, or LING 400.
Language Variation LING/ANTH 432 Sociolinguistics I (5) I&S/VLPA
Social variation in the phonology, morphology, syntax, lexicon of languages and dialects. Nonstandard language, diglossia, pidgins and creoles, gender differences, bi- and multilingualism, ethnography of speaking, pragmatics, and language attitudes. LING/ANTH 433 Sociolinguistics II (5) I&S/VLPA
Examines field methods linguists use in socially oriented studies of language variation and change. Includes language attitudes, study of urban dialects, syntactic variation, sampling and interview design. Discussion of issues related to recording, ethics, and analysis of large bodies of data.
Language-Specific Variation
Examines emerging World/New Englishes, and variants of English employed as a second language in former colonies of the United Kingdom and United States. Explores issues of standardization and the standard in a global perspective. ENGL 479 Language Variation and Language Policy in North America (5) I&S/VLPA
Surveys basic issues of language variation: phonological, syntactic, semantic, and narrative/discourse differences among speech communities of North American English; examines how language policy can affect access to education, the labor force, and political institutions.
Japanese
Methodology and theory of sociolinguistic analysis. Reading of research literature and training in analysis of Japanese language data. Morphology
General Morphology
Structure of words and the processes by which they are formed. Morphological processes in a wide variety of languages.
Language-Specific Morphology
Hindi/Urdu
A systematic introduction to the derivational morphology of Hindi/Urdu. Sanskrit, Persian, Arabic, and English elements in Hindi/Urdu. Treatment of derivational prefixes and suffixes, stem alternations, and methods of compound formation. Philosophical Aspects of Linguistics PHIL 464 Philosophical Issues in the Cognitive Sciences (5) I&S/NW
Philosophical problems connected with research in psychology, artificial intelligence, and other cognitive sciences. Topics vary. Readings from both philosophical and scientific literature. Accessible to nonphilosophers with suitable interests and backgrounds.
Phonetics
General Phonetics
Introduction to the articulatory and acoustic correlates of phonological features. Issues covered include the mapping of dynamic events to static representations, phonetic evidence for phonological description, universal constraints on phonological structure, and implications of psychological speech-sound categorization for phonological theory. LING 453 Experimental Phonetics (5) I&S/NW/VLPA
Examines phonetic and phonological aspects of spoken language using experimental methods. Focuses on acoustic phonetics and speech perception. Significant time devoted to experimental design and hands-on data analysis techniques. SPHSC 302 Phonetics (3) VLPA
Introduction to the description and classification of speech sounds with a focus on American English. Phonetic analysis of segmental and suprasegmental properties of speech. Practice using the International Phonetic Alphabet to transcribe normal and disordered speech patterns.
Articulatory Phonetics
Anatomy and physiology of the speech and swallowing mechanism, including the respiratory, phonatory, and resonatory systems and the neural control. Examples and laboratory work are directed toward clinical issues in speech-language pathology.
Acoustic Phonetics
Fundamental principles of sound and vibration with emphasis on examples relevant to the speech and hearing systems. PHYS 116 General Physics (4) NW, QSR
Basic principles of physics presented without use of calculus. Suitable for students majoring in technically oriented fields other than engineering or the physical sciences. Sound, light, and modern physics. Credit is not given for both PHYS 116 and PHYS 123.
Auditory Phonetics
Basic aspects of hearing and the ear and auditory nervous system. How the auditory system constructs an image of the acoustic environment. How attention and memory influence hearing. Effects of damage to the auditory system. SPHSC 462 Hearing Development (3) NW
Description of the changes that occur in human hearing during development. Consideration of the possible explanations for early immaturity. Phonology
General Phonology
Speech sounds, mechanism of their production, and structuring of sounds in languages; generative view of phonology; autosegmental and metrical phonology.
Language-Specific Phonology
Descriptively oriented approach to of English phonology and phonetics; dialect differences. Pragmatics SPHSC 308 Social-Cultural Aspects of Communication (3) I&S
Introduction to human communication in context. Exploration of ways communication is influenced by context, including situational, social/interpersonal, and cultural variables. Studies systems and cultural practices as they influence communication. Psycholinguistics
General Psycholinguistics
Introduction to the study of language, including language structure, speech perception, language acquisition, psychological processes underlying comprehension and production of language, the relation between brain and language, and the question of the species-specificity of human language. SPHSC 425 Speech, Language, Hearing, and the Brain (4) NW
Addresses the neural bases of topics in speech, language, and hearing with an emphasis on the normal aspects of central nervous system anatomy, physiology, and function. Gives attention to issues relevant to understanding disordered systems and to points of contemporary debate among neuroscientists.
Check the Psychology listings in the Course Catalog for other relevant courses. Prerequisites may apply, and some PSYCH courses are normally open only to PSYCH majors; contact PSYCH advising for information. Of particular interest:
PSYCH 355 Cognitive Psychology (5) I&S
Language Acquisition
Focuses on how Japanese is acquired or learned by non-native speakers in North America and Japan. Includes study of how Japanese is learned in both naturalistic settings such as study abroad and in foreign language classrooms. Prerequisite: either JAPAN 312, which may be taken concurrently, or JAPAN 334.
LING 449 Second-Language Learning (5) VLPA Herschensohn
Issues related to the linguistic aspects of second-language learning. PSYCH 414 Cognitive Development (5) I&S
Key theoretical and research approaches to cognitive development from infancy through adolescence. Sensorimotor development, language development, imitation, number concepts, logical reasoning, memory, cognition in adolescents, intelligence, and the role of biology, environment, and experience. SPHSC 304 Developmental Aspects of Communication (5) I&S
Patterns of communicative development in English speaking children and adolescents. Introduction to the study of language and communication from a developmental perspective. Application to children with various types of communication impairments. COM 480 Communication in Adolescent Environments (5) VLPA/I&S
Study of the communication process in youth environments with a primary focus on formal and informal learning. Includes critical analysis of communication in contemporary instructional settings and the development of communication strategies for teaching and learning. PSYCH 306 Developmental Psychology (5) I&S
Language Processing
xamines models and basic issues concerning how spoken language is processed. Presents current issues, theories, and research relative to the levels of processing entailed in producing and comprehending speech. Semantics LING 442 Semantics I (5) VLPA/NW Ogihara
Introduction to the study of meaning as part of linguistic theory. Relation of semantics to syntax. Emphasis on formal semantics and pragmatics. Discussion of various semantic phenomena in natural language that are theoretically relevant. LING/PHIL 479 Semantics II (3) VLPA/I&S/NW Ogihara
Formal characterization of linguistic meaning. Emphasis on nature and purpose of formal semantics and on its relation to formal syntax. PHIL 120 Introduction to Logic (5) I&S/NW, QSR
Elementary symbolic logic. The development, application, and theoretical properties of an artificial symbolic language designed to provide a clear representation of the logical structure of deductive arguments. LING 476 Philosophy of Language (5) VLPA/I&S
Current theories of meaning, reference, predication, and related concepts.
Also of related interest to those studying semantics (or pragmatics):
PHIL 363 Introduction to the Philosophy of Mind (5) I&S Speech Disorders SPHSC 250 Human Communication and Its Disorders (5) I&S/NW
Overview of normal and impaired human communication, including speech, language, and hearing disorders. SPHSC 305 Speech and Language Disorders (5) NW
Etiology and nature of developmental and acquired communication disorders across the lifespan. Behavioral characteristics of language delay and disorders, developmental apraxia of speech, phonological disorders, stuttering, acquired aphasia, apraxia of speech and dysarthria, craniofacial anomalies, and voice disorders. SPHSC 405 Diagnosis of Speech and Language Disorders (3) NW
Principles and procedures for the diagnosis of speech and language disorders. SPHSC 406 Treatment of Speech and Language Disorders (4) NW
Principles and procedures for planning, implementing, and evaluating treatment for speech and language disorders. Syntax
General Syntax
Study of the structural properties of language; introduction to generative transformational syntax.
Language-Specific Syntax
Outline of the major grammatical structures of Chinese. Focus on learning and teaching problems.
English
Description of sentence, phrase, and word structures in present-day English. Visual Languages ASL 305 Deaf Studies (3) I&S
Introduces the language, culture, and community of Deaf people. Covers topics in Deaf history, education, sociology, language, legal issues, art and literature, organizations and services for the Deaf, technological devices, and the nature of Deafhood. Analyzes issues such as methods of Deaf education, biomedical ethics, and the social movements in Deaf community.
LING 403 Structure of American Sign Language (5) VLPA
Introduction to the phonological, morphological, and syntactic structure of American Sign Language. Topics include acquisition, sociolinguisitics, neurolinguisitics, lexicography, history, and culture. Knowledge of American Sign Language is not required.
Of possible interest to students of a visual language is: COM 376 Nonverbal Communication (5) VLPA/I&S
Reviews the nature of nonverbal communication as part of the human message system. Discusses research on the types of cues that are part of the nonverbal system, reviews some communicative functions allowed by nonverbal cues (e.g., emotional expressions, relational messages, deception, coordination, or interaction), and ties nonverbal communication to language.
In addition, UW offers: SPHSC 481 Management of Hearing Loss (4) NW
Introduction to methods of communicative rehabilitation of person with hearing loss. Remediation principles of auditory and visual perception, amplification, communication strategies, and information counseling. Writing Systems
Language Family-Specific Writing Systems
Origin, nature, and development of writing systems. Alphabets, syllabaries, and logographic systems; relation of writing systems to spoken languages; decipherment of previously undeciphered scripts. Other Courses with Linguistic Content or Content Related to Linguistics
General
Introduction to an area of linguistic study not covered by the regular departmental course offerings.
LING/COM 470 Discourse: Analyzing Talk and Texts (5) I&S/VLPA
A critical and practical introduction to contemporary theories/methods in discourse analysis: how verbal communication (together with visual communication) is used in conversational talk and mediztized texts to construct identities and relationships; and how power and ideology are reproduced through these everyday social interactions. SLAV 210 Introduction to Bilingualism (5) VLPA/I&S
Provides a multidisciplinary examination of bilingualism as a societal and individual phenomenon. Considers language versus dialect, diglossia, state language policies, language rights, indigenous languages, and linguistic minorities. Explores bilingualism and biculturalism as human experience and as indexes of identity. Includes a fieldwork project focused on linguistic diversity in the Pacific Northwest.
Language Family-Specific
Advanced problems in the analysis of the languages of east, southeast, south, and central Asia. Includes phonology, morphology, syntax, lexicography, historical reconstruction, linguistic typology, and comparative grammar. ASIAN 498 Special Topics (1-5, max. 15) VLPA
Offered occasionally by permanent or visiting faculty members. Topics vary, but may include topics of linguistic interest.
Slavic
Special topics in Slavic linguistics. Course offerings based on instructor's specialty and student demand.
Language-Specific
Introduction to concepts and terminology of Arabic grammar and lexicography through readings from scholars such as Sibawayh, Ibn Aqil, and Ibn Manzur.
Chinese
Nature and structure of the Chinese language, covering structural characteristics, genetic and typological affiliation, standard Mandarin and Chinese dialects, Chinese writing system, history of the Chinese language, and cultural aspects.
German
Introduction to the works of outstanding scholars in the field of Germanics.
GERMAN 498 Studies in the German Language (1-6, max. 15)
Japanese
Survey of the nature and structure of the Japanese language, covering genetic and typological affiliations, writing systems, lexicon, and features of Japanese sentence structures. JAPAN 343 Japanese Language in Society (5) VLPA/I&S
Survey of issues in Japanese language use. Areas covered include dialectical variation, language attitudes, gender differences, and pragmatics.
Latin & Greek
Designed to improve and increase English vocabulary through a study of the Latin and Greek elements in English, with emphasis on words in current literary and scientific use. No auditors. Knowledge of Latin or Greek is not required. Credit/no credit only.
Russian
Descriptive analysis of contemporary standard Russian. Detailed phonetic transcription, discussion of major Great Russian dialects as well as variations in popular speech, examination of common roots and productive derivational elements in Russian words, and elementary principles of syntax.
Spanish
Introduction to dialectical variants of Spanish. Considers standardization and the real academia; variation and change; pragmatics and politeness; Spanish in contact; sound, word formation, and grammar variation. Taught in Spanish. SPLING/SPAN 406 Advanced Spanish Grammar (5) VLPA
Problems of Spanish grammar. Differences from English grammar. Techniques for the effective teaching of Spanish. |
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University of Washington Department of Linguistics | Box 354340 Seattle, WA 98195-4340 | Phone: (206) 543-2046 | Fax: (206) 685-7978 | phoneme@u.washington.edu
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