L710  TOPIC:  Variation in Subjects

Description:  This is a research seminar intended to support
students' pursuit of various research topics in the area of the
quantitative inquiry into sound usage in the world's languages.
The particular topic of focus is one that cross-cuts virtually
any particular research area, and that is the topic of variation
between and within subjects. Virtually all studies of phonetic
behavior, either in production or in perception, reveal pervasive
and often large differences between the individuals being examined.
The main focus of this seminar is to examine reasons why this might
be the case, as well as what this variation tells us about the
nature of linguistic systems. In addition to studying literature in
the area, I expect that students will develop a critical
understanding of various aspects of the topic and apply this
understanding to developing a research area of their choosing.  I
hope this seminar will provide you with a productive regime of study
and discussion, as well as give you a structured forum to support
your own research.  At a minimum, I would hope that each student
could finish the seminar with the basic topic of a potential
qualifying paper or even Ph.D. prospectus.