COL108 - Language

[ Wesleyan Home Page ] [ WesMaps Home Page ] [ WesMaps Archive ] [ Course Search ] [ Course Search by CID ]
Academic Year 2005/2006

Language
COL 108 FA

Clusters:

Linguistics

This course, beyond providing an introduction to the science of linguistics, is designed to give students in their first year an awareness of the importance of language in everyday life and of the range of its uses and abuses as a cultural and class marker, vehicle of knowledge, and instrument of power. It is an objective of this course that students who complete it should be better prepared than they were before for the sensitive and exacting study, not only of literature, but of whatever specialized studies they subsequently undertake. Topics to be considered include whether language is a cultural artifact that is learned or is instinctual; the varieties of languages; language as expression of culture, linguistic imperialism, problems of translation; the distinction between speech and writing; stenolanguage, metalanguage, and poetic language; metaphor and symbol; language and theory.

MAJOR READINGS

Authors to be read may include (but will not be limited to): George Orwell, J.L. Austin, Roman Jakobson, Ferdinand de Saussure, Roland Barthes, and others. There will also be a textbook.

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Probably three short to medium length essays and a one-page exercise. Student reports on a range of topics.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

No prerequisites.

COURSE FORMAT: Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: NONE Grading Mode: Student Option

Prerequisites: NONE

SECTION 01

Instructor(s): Needler,Howard I.

Times: .M.W... 01:10PM-02:30PM; Location: BTFDC210;

Reserved Seats: (Total Limit: 19)

SR. major: X Jr. major: X

SR. non-major: X Jr. non-major: X SO: X FR: 19

Special Attributes:

Curricular Renewal: Speaking, Writing

FYI: FYI Seminar

Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-30-2006