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Language Development
PSYC331 SP
This course will survey classic and contemporary theory and research on the nature of language development in young children. It will include discussion of the innate biological specialization for language in human
children, as viewed from various
theoretical perspectives. Topics covered will focus on the acquisition of semantics, syntax, morphological rules, and phonological organization beginning with evidence regarding their precursory foundation in infancy and
continuing through the child's rel
ative mastery of native language by the early grade-school years.
MAJOR READINGS
Berko-Gleason, J. (1993). THE DEVELOPMENT OF LANGUAGE. Third Edition. MacMillan Publishing Co. Required readings will also include original research articles and book chapters, e.g., Gleitman, Gleitman, Landau &
Wanner (1987). Where language begins:
Initial representations for language learning. F. Newmeyer (ed) "The Cambridge Linguistic Survey." Cambridge University Press. Fromkin, V., (1974) The development of language in Genie: A case of language acquisition
beyond the critical period: BRAIN &
LANGUAGE
EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS
Midterm exam, final exam, in-class discussion, 10-12 page term paper (literature review of scientific research on a topic in language acquisition)
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS
This is a seminar course in Developmental Psychology. Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the
class list. NOTE: Students must
still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.
COURSE FORMAT:
Lecture/Discussion
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Level:
UGRD
Credit:
1
Gen Ed Area Dept:
NSM PSYC
Grading Mode:
Graded
Prerequisites:
PSYC105 OR PSYC220 OR PSYC230 OR PSYC231
Last Updated on MAR-24-2000
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Copyright Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 06459