Seminar in Linguistics (400-0-21)

Topic

Language, Place & Race

Instructors

Annette Kumsun D'onofrio
847/491-8052
2016 Sheridan Rd,, Room 106
Office Hours: By appt.

Meeting Info

Cresap Laboratory 101: Fri 1:00PM - 2:50PM

Overview of class

This seminar will focus on the study of sociolinguistic variation and its connections with race and geographical place, with a focus on the United States. Topics for discussion may include the connection of linguistic variation and change to the historical development of place-based dialects, theories of racial formation and racialization in the U.S., structural and ideological connections between race and place in the U.S. context, place identity, and perceptual dialectology. In the latter half of the course, we will delve into the study of one particular place -- Chicago -- to formulate new research questions about language variation, race, and place in one specific metropolitan area.

Registration Requirements

Prerequisite of Ling 320 or Ling 420 required (or permission of instructor)

Learning Objectives

Through this course, you will gain an understanding of: current theories of geographically-conditioned linguistic variation and change in the U.S., approaches to race and racialization within sociolinguistics, synthesis of multidisciplinary work to formulate original research questions in sociolinguistics

Teaching Method

Seminar style discussions of assigned materials

Evaluation Method

Written reading responses, in-class article presentations, class discussions, final squib

Class Materials (Required)

All class materials will be available for free on the class Canvas site and/or online.

Class Materials (Suggested)

N/A