Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Semantics (Prospective Syllabus), Adam Hodges

Adam Hodges

A primary reason for using language is, of course, to convey meaning from one interlocutor to another. But how does language convey meaning? How does language structure contribute to meaning? How does context shape meaning? How do linguists talk about and analyze meaning? In this course, we will examine basic concepts, theories, and analytical techniques used by contemporary linguists in the study of meaning in natural language. Students will gain practice with different types of semantic analyses through assignments and problem sets. The goals of the course are (1) to provide a grounding in semantics as a sub-field of linguistics, …

Narrative Analysis (Prospective Syllabus), Adam Hodges

Adam Hodges

Narrative is central to human interaction. As we interact with one another, we share stories and make sense of the world through narrative. Given the importance of narrative in human lives, it is no surprise that it has been studied across a wide range of disciplines, from literary studies to psychology, folklore, anthropology, sociology and linguistics. In this course, we will examine narrative from a sociocultural linguistic perspective which takes into account the interdisciplinary nature of narrative studies. We will place particular emphasis on the way narrative constructs the social world in which we live and creates the identities that …

Language In The Usa (Prospective Syllabus), Adam Hodges

Adam Hodges

Americans grapple with a number of issues related to language in the areas of education, civil rights, and government policy. In this course, we will explore some of the language issues that have arisen in American society with emphasis placed on the way language itself has become the object of focus in social and political debates. One such case is the decision by the Oakland School Board in 1996 to recognize Ebonics as the primary language of its African American students. This decision created intense nationwide controversy, and illustrates the way race and socioeconomic issues intersect with language attitudes. Another …

Introduction To Linguistics (Prospective Syllabus), Adam Hodges

Adam Hodges

Linguistics is the study of the various dimensions of language structure and language use. In this course, we will provide a basic overview of the field of linguistics by focusing on the three dimensions of language structure—the sound system (phonetics, phonology), vocabulary (lexicon, morphology), and grammar (syntax)—and the way linguistic structure and context give rise to meaning (semantics, pragmatics). In addition, we will consider how social practices shape and are shaped by language use (sociolinguistics), how children acquire language (language acquisition), and how we learn second languages (language learning). Students will gain practice with different types of linguistic analyses through …

Language, Race And Ethnicity (Prospective Syllabus), Adam Hodges

Adam Hodges

What is race? What is ethnicity? How is racial identity assigned, assumed, constructed and performed? How does race explicitly as well as implicitly order social life? How does racism manifest itself in our discourse—not just overtly but covertly? What is a “color blind” society? What is a “post-racial” society? A focus on language is central to answering these and many related questions. In this course, we will explore the work done by sociocultural linguists within the American context on the way language intersects with issues pertaining to race and ethnicity. Primary emphasis will be placed on the way ethnoracial identities …

Language And Culture (Spring 2011 Syllabus), Adam Hodges

Adam Hodges

In this course, we will take an ethnographic approach to examine language as a form of action through which social, cultural and political relations are constituted. Topics will explore language as it intersects with thought, ideology, identity, race and racism, ethnicity, gender, power, and linguistic diversity. In addition to articles, we will read several full-length ethnographies that focus on language practices within particular communities. The goals of the course are to (1) provide an introduction to key ideas in the study of language and culture, including the concepts of ideology, dialogism, identity, and indexicality; (2) equip students with a critical …

Introduction To Discourse Analysis (Fall 2011 Syllabus), Adam Hodges

Adam Hodges

Discourse analysis places a primary focus on how things are said; and this close attention to the details of ―language in use‖ can offer insight into a variety of questions posed by researchers across the humanities and social sciences. In this course, we will examine the way discourse is itself a form of social action that plays a fundamental role in organizing social, cultural, and political life. In addition to becoming familiar with a variety of approaches and topics in the study of discourse, a major aim of the course is for you to develop the tools and skills needed …

Language, Power And Politics (Fall 2010 Syllabus), Adam Hodges

Adam Hodges

In this course, we will examine the integral role language plays in politics; and, more generally, how power operates in linguistic practices and political interaction. As we critically examine how language is used to articulate, maintain and subvert relations of power in society, emphasis will be placed on language in the media, the political rhetoric associated with war, and the construction of ‘truth’ in politics. We will also consider the role of ethnographic analysis in aiding our understandings of how social actors use and (re)interpret political language. The course will provide you with a foundation for understanding how language shapes …

Language In Society (Winter 2010 Syllabus), Adam Hodges

Adam Hodges

In this course, we will examine how language and society affect each other. We will place a significant focus on language use in our own society to explore regional and social differences in speech. We will examine the attitudes and ideologies people have about languages, language varieties, and their speakers (e.g. issues of prestige and stigma). We will explore how speakers use language to construct identities and interact with different audiences. And we will examine how language itself often becomes a political issue (e.g. in debates over language and education). The course will use a mixture of lectures, class discussions, …

First Year Writing And Rhetoric (Fall 2008 Syllabus), Adam Hodges

Adam Hodges

WRTG 1150 is a rhetorically informed introduction to college writing. Over the course of the semester, you will engage in critical analysis, argument, and inquiry as you develop your writing skills and acquire critical information literacy for college and beyond.

Language In Us Society (Spring 2007 Syllabus), Adam Hodges

Adam Hodges

LING 1000 is a survey course that provides a non-technical exploration of the ways that language is used in America. It emphasizes language as a social institution and how values and goals of both public institutions and private groups shape, and are shaped by language and its use.

Language In Us Society (Spring 2006 Syllabus), Adam Hodges

Adam Hodges

LING 1000 is a survey course that provides a non-technical exploration of the ways that language is used in America. It emphasizes language as a social institution and how values and goals of both public institutions and private groups shape, and are shaped by language and its use.

Language In Us Society (Fall 2006 Syllabus), Adam Hodges

Adam Hodges

LING 1000 is a survey course that provides a non-technical exploration of the ways that language is used in America. It emphasizes language as a social institution and how values and goals of both public institutions and private groups shape, and are shaped by language and its use.

Language And Culture (Spring 2006 Syllabus), Adam Hodges

Adam Hodges

Language is a primary cultural tool used in all human societies. Through the use of language, we interact socially, interpret our surroundings, set up relations and establish shared meanings. Language use creates public space and places items into that space for consideration. In short, there is no such thing as non-social language; language itself is fundamentally a social activity integrally linked with cultural systems and social practice. In this course, we will examine this intersection of language and culture in an effort to understand how language and culture derive from, shape, and influence each other.

Questions we will consider include …

Language And Gender (Summer 2005 Syllabus), Adam Hodges

Adam Hodges

LING 2400 familiarizes students with the effects of gender on language use; discusses popular beliefs and scholarly theories about language and communication; and provides students with tools for exploring the role of language and gender.

Language In Us Society (Fall 2005 Syllabus), Adam Hodges

Adam Hodges

LING 1000 is a survey course that provides a non-technical exploration of the ways that language is used in America. It emphasizes language as a social institution and how values and goals of both public institutions and private groups shape, and are shaped by language and its use.

Language In Us Society (Spring 2005 Syllabus), Adam Hodges

Adam Hodges

LING 1000 is a survey course that provides a non-technical exploration of the ways that language is used in America. It emphasizes language as a social institution and how values and goals of both public institutions and private groups shape, and are shaped by language and its use.

Language, Power, And Social Interaction (Fall 2004 Syllabus), Adam Hodges

Adam Hodges

The objective of this course is to critically examine the role of language in articulating, maintaining, and subverting relations of power in society. We will ground our study by first looking at basic ideas on linguistic relativity, the idea that one adjusts to reality in large part through language. Then, we will explore the many dimensions of power in society and the role that language plays in this diagram of power. We will focus specifically on media language and political language; and critically analyze examples of discourse in an attempt to understand the power relations that undergird social interactions. This …