Learning Foreign Languages:
Windows to the World Fall 1996
RESHMAN COLLOQUIUM: GERMAN/LINGUISTICS 195A
LEARNING FOREIGN LANGUAGES: WINDOWS TO THE WORLD Fall 1996
The limits of my language mean the limits of my world. Ludwig Wittgenstein
Time: Mondays: 10:00 – l0:50 a.m.
Place: Modern Languages 203
Instructor: Renate A. Schulz
Office: ML 590
Phone: 621-7388 or 621-7385
e-mail: schulzr@u.arizona.edu
German/Linguistics 195A is designed to make students aware of the benefits of foreign language study and foreign language competence for Americans. By comparing and contrasting selected linguistic, paralinguistic, and discourse patterns of English with German as well as some other languages, and be looking at interactions between language and culture, students will gain insights into languages as rule-governed systems of and for cross-cultural communication. A discussion of learning styles and strategies for learning languages other than English should lessen the fear of foreign language study held be some students.
Course Goals:
to raise awareness that language is a rule-governed system
to illustrate how languages develop and change over time and influence and are influenced by other languages and cultures
to provide an introductory comparative overview of some English and German phonological, morphological, syntactical and discourse patterns
to provide insights into written and oral structures of some non-Indo-European languages
to demonstrate interrelationships between language and culture
to communicate the growing importance of second language study in an increasingly interdependent world
Instructional Materials:
Selected readings will be provided in handout form or made available in the library reserve room.
Tentative List of Topics:
Aug. 26 Introduction to course The Study of Language: Linguistics and Applied Linguistics Functions of language Languages of the world
Sept. 2 Labor Day
Sept. 9 What makes English a Germanic language? Historical Linguistics/Language Change
Sept. 16 Analyzing language form: Phonology Examples from English and German
Sept. 23 Analyzing language form: Morphology Examples from English and German
Sept. 30 Analyzing language form: Syntax Examples from English and German
Oct. 7 Language as reflection of culture Semantics and Pragmatics
Oct. 14 A glimpse at non-Indo-European languages: The languages of India The Role of Language Policy Guest speaker: Dr. Kamakshi Murti, Department of German Studies
Oct. 21 Midterm Exam
Oct. 28 DUE: Abstracts of proposed essay or 5 entries in Language Awareness Diary Problems of Translation
Nov. 4 A glimpse at non-Indo-European languages: Japanese Guest speaker: Noriko Iwasaki, SLAT Ph.D. Candidate
Nov. 11 Veterans’ Day
Nov. 18 How is language learned? Video: The Human Language Series, Part II
Nov. 25 What do we know about second/foreign language learning?
Dec. 2 What is your language learning style? Strategies for foreign language learning
Dec. 9 Due: Written assignments (paper or remaining 5 diary entries) Student Debate: Why do Americans need to become proficient in languages other than English? Course evaluation Review for final exam
Dec. 18 Wed., 10:00 – 12:00 a.m. Final Exam
Course Requirements:
1) regular attendance and active participation in discussion and group projects (10% of grade)
2) midterm examination over assigned readings, lectures, and class discussions (25%)
3) final exam over assigned readings, lectures, and class discussions (25%)
4) EITHER a short essay (approx. 6-8 pages, double-spaced, plus bibliography) dealing with a course-related topic of student’s choice; short abstract to be presented to instructor for approval by Oct. 28; final paper due on December 9 (40% of grade) OR
4) a language awareness diary, summarizing or describing and commenting on items encountered in the media, on the Internet or in the scholarly literature pertaining to language-related phenomena and/or language learning or use. Minimum: 10 entries. First five entries are due on Oct. 28. Remaining entries due on December 9 (40% of grade). Please attach copy of article, if reacting to an item which appeared in the printed media. Provide full documentation on all resources used.