First-Year Seminar (101-6-21)
Topic
Language and Childhood
Instructors
Erin M. Leddon
847/467-7092
2016 Sheridan Rd, Rm. 305
Office Hours: By appt
Meeting Info
Kresge Centennial Hall 2-420: Tues, Thurs 9:30AM - 10:50AM
Overview of class
How do children achieve the remarkable feat of acquiring language - an accomplishment we often take for granted? Which aspects of the human capacity for language are best understood as biological, as species-wide and species-specific? How do families, schools, and communities help shape children's development as speakers and listeners, and eventually as readers and writers? How does learning a first language (or more than one language) interact with learning to think, learning to imagine, and developing a sense of identity? To explore these questions, we will consider studies of children's language development along with perspectives from social policy, medicine, law, education, business and marketing, television, theatre, film, music, and children's book publishing. Students will have regular opportunities to reflect on their own experience, and each student will be able to select a topic of individual interest for a final seminar project. All assigned reading will be available to students on Canvas.
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to answer the following questions at the conclusion of the class: how do children achieve the remarkable feat of acquiring language? Which aspects of the human capacity for language are best understood as biological, as species-wide and species-specific? How do families, schools, and communities help shape children's development as speakers and listeners, and eventually their development as readers and writers? How does learning a first language (or more than one language) interact with learning to think, learning to imagine, and developing a sense of identity? How is early language experience related to opportunities later in life?
Teaching Method
Discussion: Regular opportunities to write and to share ideas developed in essays.
Evaluation Method
Grades will be based on three short essays (3-4 pages), one longer essay (6-8 pages), and participation in seminar discussions. Students will have the opportunity to revise their essays.
Class Materials (Required)
All assigned reading will be available to students on Canvas
Class Attributes
WCAS First-Year Seminar
Enrollment Requirements
Enrollment Requirements: Reserved for First Year & Sophomore only