122010 VO STEOP: Introduction to the Study of Language 1 (2016S)

Contents:
This lecture course forms the first part of a one-year introductory program that aims at providing first-year students of English with an overview of the major areas of linguistic knowledge. In the first semester, we study ways of describing and transcribing the sounds and sound system of English (phonetics/phonology). We then consider how language varies in relation to different social and geographical factors and how this variation may be described (sociolinguistics). We examine how language functions in communication and how humans use language to create meaning in interaction (pragmatics, discourse analysis). Finally, we analyze the ways in which children learn their first language (first language acquisition) and in which people learn further languages at a later stage (second language acquisition).

Aims:
Students will be familiar with the basic principles of phonetics, sociolinguistics, pragmatics, discourse analysis, first and second language acquisition and will be able to apply their knowledge to English texts. Students will be able to read English in phonemic transcription.

Method:
The lecture course consists of lectures and an accompanying moodle course. Further optional classes are on offer, too (see 'Comment for course catalogue').