Language Science 3: Introduction to Linguistics

Introduction to the scientific study of human language. We will cover two main topics: (1) the concepts and tools necessary to give a scientific description of a human language, and (2) the interface between language and psychology, sociology, and technology. Students will learn how to analyze the phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics of a language, and also the basics of psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics, and natural language processing.

Lectures will be delivered in person, and also available asynchronously online as Youtube videos, linked from this page and from Canvas.

Attendance at in-person lectures is optional; the YouTube lectures have all the information you need to perform optimally on the exams. In-person lectures will cover the same material as the YouTube videos, but in more detail and at an accelerated pace, with the opportunity for you to ask questions.

Discussion sections are synchronous and attendance is required in order to receive full credit. Some are on Zoom, some are physical. Discussion section time will be spent on guided exercises. Homework will consist of short problem sets.

There will be three non-cumulative multiple-choice exams.

This course is intended for all students interested in language science, cognitive science, languages, communications, and related fields. There are no prerequisites.

Information on UCI's Language Science major and minor.

There is an optional textbook:

• (LF) Language Files: Materials for an Introduction to Language and Linguistics, 12th Edition. Department of Linguistics, the Ohio State University.

In the syllabus, I give recommended readings. These are not mandatory, but if you do these readings, it will greatly enhance your understanding of the material.

The book is also available online from various sources.

• Grade breakdown

  Work	Grade percentage
  Problem sets	45%
  Exams	50%
  Participation in discussion sections	5%

  All exams and problem sets are equally weighted.

• Problem sets

  Each problem set is due at 5pm on the date indicated on the schedule. Problem sets are distributed online via Canvas.

  Problem sets can be turned in up to 10 days late; 10% of your score will be deducted for each 24 hours of lateness (rounded up). For example, if an assignment is worth 100 points, you turn it in 3 days late, and earn a 70 before lateness is taken into account, your score will be (1-0.3)*70=49.

  Your lowest problem set grade will be dropped.

• Exams

  Exams are non-cumulative, open-book, open-note, and multiple-choice. You can use any physical or electronic book or notes, but you are not allowed to collaborate with other people or access the internet during the exam. The exams will be administered over Canvas during scheduled class time.

  Exam 1 covers Basics, Phonetics, and Phonology.

  Exam 2 covers Morphology and Syntax.

  Exam 3 covers Semantics, Pragmatics, Language and Society, Language and Thought, Writing Sytems, and Human Language Technologies.

• Discussion sections

  Discussion sections meet weekly starting 1/18.

  Your grade for participation in discussion sections is determined by attendance. You can miss up to 1 discussion section without penalty.

  We will not hold discussion sections on MLK day or Presidents Day. Unless otherwise announced, if that is your section, then you should attend another discussion section that week, and if you cannot attend any other discussion section in those weeks, e-mail the TAs for special accommodation.

• Working together

  You are encouraged to work together with classmates to solve the problem sets.

  Collaboration on exams is not allowed and if you are caught attempting to collaborate on an exam you will automatically receive a score of 0 on that exam.

• Mapping of class score to letter grade

  I guarantee minimum grades based on these thresholds:

  Threshold	Guaranteed minimum grade
  >= 90%	A
  >= 80%	B
  >= 70%	C
  >= 60%	D
  < 60%	F

  So for example a score of 90.0001% guarantees you an A-. It is unlikely that I will grade the course on a curve, but if I do, then you could end up with a higher grade due to the curve.

When physically present in a classroom, other instructional space, or any other space owned or controlled by UCI, all students and all employees (faculty and staff) must comply with COVID-19 related UCI executive directives and guidance. This guidance takes into account federal, state, and local guidelines and is available at https://uci.edu/coronavirus/.

We will be adhering fully to the standards and practices set out in UCI's policy on academic integrity. Any attempts of academic misconduct or plagiarism will be met with consequences as per the university regulations.

Any student requesting academic accommodations based on a disability is required to apply with Disability Service Center at UCI. For more information, please visit http://disability.uci.edu/.