Syllabus for COM-339

THE STORY OF HUMAN LANGUAGE


COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course examines how language is created, acquired, and utilized. Topics examined in this course include the origin of language, differences between animal and human language, sound and word formation, language acquisition, verbal and nonverbal utilization, and its regional, social, and cultural variations. These topics are fundamental to a greater understanding of human language and its use and origins. Lastly, this course provides an essential foundation for advanced courses in linguistics.

COURSE TOPICS

COURSE OBJECTIVES

After completing this course, you should be able to:

CO1        Identify how animal language differs from human language.

CO2        Describe how sounds are created and articulated.

CO3        Describe how language is learned and acquired.

CO4        Demonstrate how meaning is conveyed in nonverbal and written language.

CO5        Describe how humans first started using language.

CO6        Explain the origins of language in terms of its social, physical, tool-making, and genetic source.

          

CO7        Recognize the articulation of consonants and vowels in tongue position and placement.

CO8        Compare and contrast verbal and written language.

CO9        Compare and contrast the major changes from Indo-European to Modern English.

CO10        Present ways in which language varies by regional, social, and cultural influences.

CO11        Identify the cognitive abilities which led to the development of human language.

CO12        Discuss the distinctions between communicative and informative signals in human and animal language. 

CO13        Explain what verbal and nonverbal clues that listeners use for understanding.

CO14        Use concrete examples to demonstrate the etymology of how language evolves into Common usage.

CO15        Use examples to demonstrate the differences between the language disorders of Broca’s, Wernicke’s, and Conduction aphasia.

CO16        Discuss the impact that culture plays in Linguistic Determinism.

COURSE MATERIALS

You will need the following materials to complete your coursework. Some course materials may be free, open source, or available from other providers. You can access free or open-source materials by clicking the links provided below or in the module details documents. To purchase course materials, please visit the University's textbook supplier.

Required Textbook

COURSE STRUCTURE

The Story of Human Language is a three-credit online course, consisting of four modules. Modules include an overview, topics, learning objectives, study materials, and assignments. Module titles are listed below.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

For your formal work in the course, you are required to participate in online discussion forums, complete written assignments, a midterm project, and a final project. See below for details.

Consult the Course Calendar for assignment due dates.

Promoting Originality

One or more of your course activities may utilize a tool designed to promote original work and evaluate your submissions for plagiarism. More information about this tool is available in this document.

Discussion Forums

The Story of Human Language requires you to participate in four graded discussion forums worth 5 points each, or for a total of 20 percent of your course grade. Communication among fellow students and with the mentor is a critical component of online learning. Participation in online discussions involves two distinct activities: an initial response to a posted question (discussion thread) and subsequent comments on classmates' responses. Meaningful participation is relevant to the content, adds value, and advances the discussion. Comments such as "I agree" and "ditto" are not considered value-adding participation.

Therefore, when you agree or disagree with a classmate, the reading, or your mentor, state and support your agreement or disagreement. You will be evaluated on the quality and quantity of your participation. Responses and comments should be properly proofread and edited, professional, and respectful. Deadlines for posting discussion threads are given in the Course Calendar.

Written Assignments

You are required to complete a total of six written assignments on a variety of topics associated with the course modules. Your written assignments for this course consist of:

Details about the study questions and short essays are contained in the modules of which they are part.  Consult the Course Calendar for due dates.

Midterm Project

You a required to complete a midterm project. You will watch several videos, compare and contrast varied skill levels of second language learners, and present your findings in a paper and presentation. Details about your midterm project can be found in Module 2. Due dates associated with this assignment can be found in the Course Calendar.  

Final Project

You are required to produce a Final Project in the form of a research paper and submit it at the end of the semester. This paper, which you will put together in three stages, should examine an aspect or theory of human language that you will cover in this course.

Details about your research paper can be found in the Final Project section of the course Web site. Due dates associated with this assignment can be found in the Course Calendar.  

GRADING AND EVALUATION

Your grade in the course will be determined as follows:

All activities will receive a numerical grade of 0–100. You will receive a score of 0 for any work not submitted. Your final grade in the course will be a letter grade. Letter grade equivalents for numerical grades are as follows:

A

=

93–100

C+

=

78–79

A–

=

90–92

C

=

73–77

B+

=

88–89

C–

=

70–72

B

=

83–87

D

=

60–69

B–

=

80–82

F

=

Below 60

To receive credit for the course, you must earn a letter grade of C or better (for an area of study course) or D or better (for a course not in your area of study), based on the weighted average of all assigned course work (e.g., exams, assignments, discussion postings, etc.).

STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS

First Steps to Success

To succeed in this course, take the following first steps:

Study Tips

Consider the following study tips for success:

ACADEMIC POLICIES

To ensure success in all your academic endeavors and coursework at Thomas Edison State University, familiarize yourself with all administrative and academic policies including those related to academic integrity, course late submissions, course extensions, and grading policies.

For more, see:

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