Linguistic and Cultural Diversity in Communication Sciences and Disorders (464-0-1)
Instructors
Viorica Marian
487/491-2420
2240 Campus Drive
Meeting Info
Frances Searle Building 1441: Tues 5:30PM - 8:00PM
Overview of class
Study of culture and communication in linguistically diverse populations across the lifespan. Exploration of bilingual speech and language acquisition in typically and atypically developing children. Discussion regarding the potential for cross-cultural, cross-linguistic, and bilingual issues during assessment and treatment and methods for minimizing bias. Introduction to acquired speech and language disorders in bilingual adults.
Registration Requirements
Must be enrolled in a graduate program at Northwestern
Learning Objectives
Understanding the consequences of bilingualism and multilingualism for cognition, development, learning, and the brain; understanding how knowing more than one language influences assessment and intervention in clinical settings and how it impacts learning and education; understanding consequences of bilingualism and multilingualism in childhood and old age, at the individual level and at the level of society; understanding the role that linguistic and cultural diversity play in progress and in change; acquiring knowledge that helps minimize bias and discrimination against linguistically and culturally diverse groups.
Evaluation Method
Midterm Exam, Final Exam, Group project, Paper, Cross-Cultural Assignment, Attendance and Participation.
Class Materials (Required)
The Power of Language: How the Codes We Use to Think, Speak, and Live Transform Our Minds, ISBN: 9780593187074
Students are encouraged to consult alternate vendors (Amazon, book rentals, etc.)
Class Notes
This is a graduate course focused on linguistic and cultural diversity in CSD and on the consequences of knowing more than one language for cognition, development, learning, and the brain. The course covers theoretical issues (such as the relationship between language and thought), clinical applications (such as bias-free assessment and intervention), and implications for learning (such as language acquisition and bilingual education) relevant to multilingual and multicultural populations. Taking into account the rapidly changing population demographics, the objective of the course is to promote cross-linguistic and cross-cultural competence and understanding of how linguistic and cultural factors shape communication, individuals, and society.