Welcome: Linguistics 6150
Introduction to Linguistics

Fall 2020
Instructor: Dr. Sheri Wells-Jensen
438 East Hall
Bowling Green State University
I will email you a phone number
swellsj@bgsu.edu

Pacing

There are two provisions to this pacing rule though:

• Do *not* turn things in late. I will disable the assignments after the due date.
• Do not skip a contact moment. there are pauses built in so that you and I can connect. Don't skip these. do them in order as they come up. Sometimes, it's just an email. Sometimes, I'll want to chat with you and sometimes it's a Canvas post.

Text

Just FWIW, edition #5 has been found free and online. I have no objection to this.

The Most Important Things:

1. Here is a list of
   Learning Outcomes for this class and
   a course calendar.
2. Try to assume that things you are asked to do in this course make sense. If you start with the assumption that you are being asked to do reasonable things that are possible and that there is some reasonable thing you will learn from each, you'll have a better time. Ask yourself why I might think it's useful for you to do these things.
3. Remember that learning new things is ... fun. It's not always easy, but it's rewarding and fun. Approach the class as you would a series of interesting puzzles.
4. It all fits together. Be patient. Watch for the connections. Stay alert.
5. Please don't disappear. If you get overwhelmed or feel lost, be in touch with me right away.
6. Don't rush. It's tempting to blast through assignments in a hurry. Please don't. Be mindful of how you learn and take the breaks you need. If you rush, your understanding (and your enjoyment) will suffer.
7. My expectations of you:
   • I expect you to be on time with assignments,
   • to think about the assignments carefully
   • and to ask for help when you need clarification.
   • I expect you to write well,
   • be respectful to me and to your classmates,
   • and to take initiative.
   • I expect you to participate and make the most of the intellectual experiences of being part of this class and to try to genuinely understand the material.
   • I expect that you will read both the book for the class and the webpages,
   • and that you will do practice exercises to help build your understanding when you need this.
   • I don't necessarily expect you to be good at everything you try--there are a whole lot of different kinds of things that will come up during the class--but I do expect that you'll give all of it an honest try.
8. What you can expect from me:
   • I will respond to you promptly: within 24 hours on weekdays and occasionally on Saturdays. I generally do not check email on Sundays.
   • I will be very glad to talk with you when you're having trouble or simply to say hello. Please don't feel as though this is an imposition. I'm happy to meet with you and talk.
   • If you turn assignments in on the due date, I will make every effort to grade them all as a group and get them back to you before the next assignment is due.
   • I will grade your work fairly.
   • I will find resources for you when you are not understanding and look for new and interesting things to divert you with during the semester.
   • I will treat you with kindness and respect
   • share my enthusiasm for this topic,
   • keep working on ways to improve the class,
   • and pay attention to you as an individual human being.
9. I give 'B's. I give C's and other letters, too, but much less frequently. This is not a threat but rather a reality check. Please, keep track of your grade so there are no surprises. I will be happy to give you a current grade summary at any time. Grades earned in LING 6150 over the last year have been:
   • 60% A
   • 30% B
   • 10% C, lower, or incomplete.

Course Description: Expanded from the Catalog

• phonetics: sounds of language
• morphology: how words are built
• syntax: how sentences are made
• typology: how languages are all alike and how they differ.
• psycholinguistics: how we actually speak and receive language
• language preservation: what happens when a language starts to die
• first language acquisition: how children learn their first language
• sociolinguistics: how social factors such as ethnicity, race, gender, education, social power and politeness impact language use
• other topics as possible.
• The emphasis is on the objective linguistic analysis of language.

Resources and Where to Find Them

• Everything except readings that are under copyright will be on this website: fridaynightlinguistics.org/6150
• www.fridaynightlinguistics.org/lingresources/ is a publicly accessible site I maintain that has a great many extra language problems you can do for practice.
• I will post written 'lectures' for you to read, and will send you URLs and reminders for these.
• MP3 files available for you so you can hear me talking about the material will be also linked from the course calendar.

OK, About Wikipedia:

Grading

• Homework: 85%. Because homework is what we have here (no large paper, no final exam), There are assignments every week: some large and some pretty small. No late work will be accepted, but early work is welcome. Please keep copies of everything you send and everything you get back from me. Most of the assignments now have boxes for you to paste your answers online. If those are not on a particular assignment, that means it's one you should email to me. Sometimes, the assignments submitted online are either graded immediately via the computer interface or will offer you some feedback and the chance to make changes before you submit. I wrote those interfaces, so if they give you any sass, let me know, and I'll fix them right away.

  When I give you a due date, that means that I want to be able to rise at sun-up the *next* day and begin grading. So, if you work best at 3:00 AM, you have that option. Personally, I wouldn't suggest playing it that close to the deadline, but if that's the way you roll, make sure you hit 'submit' before I hit 'download'!

  Some of the homework in this class will not be easy so allocate your time accordingly -- don't try to do it at the last minute. Feel free to ask for help at any time before the homework is due. If you're uncertain, ask questions. I'm very happy to help.

  If you get frustrated, step away. Email a question or set up an appointment to talk with me. Don't spend hours beating your head against a wall. I can help.

• Professionalism: 15% This is to assist you in turning material in on time, keeping appointments you make with me and responding with your input and questions. So, if I say 'email me with your response': I expect you to do this and that interaction is part of this 10%.

Speaking of Help!

Additional notes

• If you would like to formally request accommodation for a disability, you should be in touch with with BGSU's Access Services Office. They will be glad to assist you, and I am very willing to help make things work out. I am committed to equal access for everyone, no excuses, no explanations required. If you are a disabled student, understand that you belong here, and I have your back.
• If you need extra help during the class, I am happy to work with you.
• Bowling Green State University is committed to providing a safe learning environment for all students that is free of all forms of discrimination and harassment, including sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.  Please be aware all BGSU faculty members are “mandatory reporters,” which means that if you tell me about a situation involving sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking, I must share that information with the Title IX Coordinator. 
• Please become familiar with BGSU's Academic Honesty Policy.