L700: Language Acquisition (3 cr)
Instructor: Dr. L. Dekydtspotter/Dr. Steven Franks
Section: 3093
W 4:00-6:00P -- BH 005

Section meets with FRIT F673 and COGS Q700

Ling 700 [note: The topic changes yearly and thus this course may be
repeated ]

This yearıs Ling 700 is a survey of language learning research. The goal
is to foster student research in the area, by giving students breadth of
knowledge. The course complements other courses offered on campus. The
approach will be comparative: how language acquisition proceeds in
childhood and adulthood and in pathology, as a first and as a second
language. We will concern ourselves with phonology, syntax, morphology
and the lexicon.

The course seeks answers to the following questions: What are the
commonalities in the area of representations, acquisitional paths and
processing between these various types of acquisition? What are the differences?
What do possible differences tell us about mental architecture, and the
acquisition task? What is the nature of input and the role of input in
each case? (The cross-linguistic perspective will be useful here.)
Whatıs the role of perception in acquisition? Although the course will
be content-oriented, it will keep a critical eye on research
methodology.  The class will benefit from invited talks by Indiana and
outside visitors.

Course requirements include: student contributions to discussions,
readings, and activities. There will be a final paper on a topic related
to the course.