SYLLABUS LING 2100UA: Introduction to Linguistics (Summer 2020

SYLLABUS

LING 2100UA: Introduction to Linguistics (Summer 2020)

Instructor: Dr. Satomi Suzuki

Email: [email protected]

Office Hours: TBA

Course Objectives:

This is an introductory course in linguistics. You will obtain the general

understanding of theoretical issues by considering how speech sounds are

formed and organized, how words and sentences are formed and arranged, how

language is used in society, etc. Linguistics requires logical thinking skills.

Throughout the semester, we will look at various languages in the world as well

as English in order to introduce the linguistic diversity as well as human linguistic

capacity. Studying linguistics gives you not only the current linguistics knowledge

but also critical thinking skills that are fundamental and highly respected in the

academic and professional environments.

Prerequisites:

None. However, students enrolled in this course are strongly recommended to

have some experience of learning a foreign/second language in order to

complete certain assignments.

Required Materials:

William O’Grady, John Archibald, Mark Aronoff, & Janie Rees-

Miller, Contemporary Linguistics: An Introduction, Seven Edition, Bedford St.

Martin’s 2017. Available at the bookstore. Some other readings are uploaded to

Canvas (Module).

Recommended Materials:

Fromkin V. R. Rodman & N. Hyams, An Introduction to Language, Tenth Edition,

Heinle.

Grading Scale:

A: 90-100 B: 80-89 C: 70-79 D: 60-69 F: 0-59

Note: Grading is on a 100-point scale (no curving). There will be up to 2% extra

credit assignment for this course. If you are taking this class on a Pass/ Fail

basis, you must earn a grade of 70 or above in order to pass this course.

Evaluation:

Online Exams (3): 36% Homework (8): 48%

Online Spot-check quizzes (6): 6% Class Participation: 9%

Voice Thread: Video Self-introduction: 1%

Online Exams:

There will be three written exams which test your comprehension of the given

lessons and materials presented during the course. To take these exams, all

students must take the online exam during the class time while

participating in the virtual classroom. There will be NO MAKE-UP

EXAM allowed in this class unless there is a legitimate reason. The exams

must be submitted as instructed via Canvas in order to receive the full

credit. If you have any problems, discuss with the instructor prior to the

exams not during or after the exam.

***Failing to follow the direction in terms of the exams procedure,

submission method, time limit, etc. will result

in a minimum of 30% reduction of the overall final points.

Online Spot-Check Quizzes:

There will be seven spot-check quizzes (six for the summer) which examine your

knowledge of the subject in each topic. All students must take online quizzes

during the class time while participating in the virtual classroom. These

quizzes will be conducted online during the class period. One quiz with the

lowest score will be dropped from the final grade score for the Spring and Fall

semesters.

Voice Thread:

Video-record your self-introduction using a Voice Thread tool on Canvas (Go

to Module). You may talk about your name, major, year at school, hobby,

languages that you speak, etc. The instruction is as follows (Note that the

instruction is for audio-recording but you can apply the similar method to make a

video-recording):

https://files.t-square.gatech.edu/access/content/group/1e8a466e-bc4c-428a-

bc16-52dc359fa66b/Voicethread/Voicethread-Guide-Create.html (Links to an

external site.)Links to an external site.

Homework:

Homework consists of eight (seven for the summer) written exercises that helps

you understand the subject more profoundly. Homework will be available at least

a week before due dates on Canvas (Module). Every homework is graded for its

quality. These assignments do not involve simple and repetitive work; rather,

most of them require you to “think.” Be ready to dedicate a few hours of your time

to complete each assignment.

Homework submission:

No late homework will be accepted. To submit your homework, follow the

direction closely. It may not be accepted otherwise. Allow plenty of time to solve

any technical difficulties before the deadline. Negotiation for overdue homework

will not be accepted.

1. Print worksheets and fill your answer by hand or type your answer.

2. For those who fill your answer by hand, you can scan your finished

homework with an appropriate size.

3. Combine documents into a SINGLE PDF.

4. Upload your homework in the Assignment.

5. Your graded homework will be returned to the Assignment. Check the

instructor's feedback.

Note: No late homework will be accepted. Make sure you upload your homework

in time for the deadlines. See the grading policies. Do not use regular email to

submit your homework.

It is your responsibility to make sure uploaded files are correct and legible and in

the right folder. If you upload wrong files or upload them into a wrong folder or if

your scanned images are not legible, you may receive 0 points for your

homework.

Class Participation:

Students are required to participate in every class. If you miss more than 6

classes during the semester (four for the summer), your overall grade will be

lowered by one letter grade. For each class there will be assigned readings (see

Module). Students are responsible for reading them in advance in order to be

prepared and be better engaged in the lecture, discussions, and other type of

pair and group activities during the class time. Student performance will be rated

on a 10-point scale based on the degrees of your active and collaborative

participation and preparedness. In order to be considered as an active

participant, it is not enough to simply follow the instructor’s direction and do

classroom activities. To be considered "active", you must volunteer to share your

responses when the instructor asks for responses.

10 = high degree of active participation and preparedness

9 = moderate degree of active participation and preparedness

8 = low degree of active participation and preparedness

7 = present but barely effective or often shows signs of inattention (See Grading

Policies)

0 = absent, being absent from a total of more than 20 minutes of the class time,

or a sign of lack of attention during class or leaving classroom in an inappropriate

manner

The following criteria will also be considered:

 Punctuality (If you come to a group session more than five minutes late,

your grade may be deducted by 20 % or more.)

 Active participation which demonstrates good preparation and

understanding of the lesson

 Cordial and cooperative attitude to maximize our limited time and maintain

friendly relationship

Note: To demonstrate your activeness, you must speak up. Chatting on the text-

messaging board ONLY or listening to the lectures ONLY will not count as your

full participation. Also, if you show signs of inattention and/or disengagement to

class, your performance score will be lowered.

Grading Policies:

1. Missing Exams, Quizzes or Being Late in Submitting Homework

No makeup exams/quizzes will be given and no late homework will be

accepted unless you can provide written proof that your emergency was

legitimate and genuine (See the examples below). If you are required to scan

and upload homework to Canvas, you might need to find the scanner facilities on

or off-campus. If you often cannot access a scanner in time for the deadlines,

buy your own scanner. (FYI: You can also download a free app (e.g.,

CamScanner) to your smartphone that can create and upload PDF files based on

your smartphone camera). If your instructor cannot read part of your homework

or part of it is missing, you will receive 0 points for that part.

If you have to miss a quiz or an exam due to school-authorized predetermined

circumstances, notify the instructor at least one week before it happens and the

person (name, title, email address, phone) to whom the instructor can contact in

case of questions. With timely prior notification, you may allow to re-schedule

quizzes, tests and exams. If you have legitimate excuses (examples shown

below) AND you can prove it by providing a written proof (examples shown

below) within a week of each incident, you can re-schedule the quizzes, tests

and exams.

The following are examples of legitimate excuses.

 I had a medical emergency or infectious disease (e.g., a flu) that requires

me NOT to come to the class (Submit the doctor's notes).

 I had family emergencies (e.g., a death of your family member. Bring a

proof such as obituaries, an invitation to the funeral, etc.).

 I had a major accident or a disaster (Bring the police records. No

photographs of the accident/disaster scenes are accepted.).

The following are examples of excuses that will NEVER be accepted.

 I had technical difficulties.

 I am too busy with the requirements of my other courses, my job, my

duties in the organizations I belong to, etc.

 I was too tired to complete the homework.

 I am participating in a professional conference. I have a job interview. I

have a job affair to attend. I have a field trip.

 I need to maintain a good GPA. If I don't get a higher grade, I will lose my

scholarship or I will be forced out of school.

 I didn't know that this requirement existed or didn't know the deadline or

misread my schedule.

 I did my homework, but I forgot to turn it in.

 I uploaded my homework to a wrong folder or misplaced them or did not

name them correctly.

 I forgot to tell you that I had a preplanned obligation.

 I didn't know it was written in the Syllabus and/or Schedule. The instructor

never warned me when I missed my requirements.

 I am unable to take the exam/submitting homework on the given date

because I have a travel plan, I am out of town, and/or I missed my flight to get

back to Atlanta in time. I have already bought a ticket for my trip and cannot

change the schedule.

1. Academic Integrity

Students in this class are expected to abide by the Georgia Tech Student Code

of Conduct and Honor Code and avoid any instances of academic misconduct,

including but not limited to:

 Possessing, using, or exchanging improperly acquired written or oral

information in the preparation of a homework, term papers or exams.

 Substitution of material that is wholly or substantially identical to that

created or published by another individual or individuals including homework.

(Suspicious materials will be searched on the Web.)

 False claims of performance or work that has been submitted by other

students.

See http://www.catalog.gatech.edu/rules/19b.php for more information on

academic misconduct and the Honor Code. If we find any instance of academic

misconduct and/or violation of GT Honor Code, we will take a strong action

including but not limited to the following:

 If it occurs during an exam/test/quiz, the student's exam/test/quiz will be

terminated immediately even if it is not finished. Such a student will receive 0

(zero) points for the entire exam/test/quiz.

 If the second misconduct/violation occurs, the student will receive an F for

the entire course.

All assignments/tests/exams you submit in class or upload to Canvas must have

your clearly printed name. By writing your name on the homework, it serves as

your signature certifying that you have followed all honor codes. If there is no

name on the work you submit, it may be rejected.

1. Missing Classes:

You are required to attend ALL classes during the semester. In case of

unforeseen circumstances, you are allowed to miss up to two (2) classes (for

two-days/week courses) and one (1) class (for short summer term courses)

without a question. Beyond the number of absences allowed above, you will

automatically start losing some or all class performance points as shown below:

 100% reduction for missing an entire class

 Missing more than a total of 20 minutes of a class session including

arriving late, leaving early or being away from the computer during the class

will also count as absence from a class (100% reduction).

 There will be a minimum of 20% reduction for missing 5 to 20 minutes of a

class by arriving late or leaving early.

No makeup work for missed classes will be allowed. Technical difficulties

cannot be used as an excuse for missing classes, arriving late or leaving early.

Also, if you do not respond in a timely manner whenever you are called upon

during the class, your points may be deducted. If you have difficulties in

preparing for classes or performing well in class, please discuss with your

instructor as early as possible during the semester and we will try to find a

solution together.

There may be no individual warnings about your missing classes. Having other

obligations that leads to your missing all or part of a class is not an acceptable

excuse. Notifying the instructor does not automatically excuse you from being

counted as absent.

Mental health resources

We value your well-being and want to support students experiencing mental

health challenges.

 Georgia Tech Psychiatry (2nd floor of Student Health Services): 404-894-

2585 (business hours)

 Georgia Tech Counselors (2nd floor of the Smithgall Student

Services/Flag building, M-F 8-4pm

 Counselor on Call: 404-894-2575 (also available after-hours)

 If you or someone else are experiencing a mental health crisis: call 1-800-

273-8255 (24 hours)

Diversity statement

The Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts supports Georgia Tech’s commitment to

creating a campus free of discrimination on the bases of race, color, religion,

national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran

status. We further affirm the importance of cultivating an intellectual climate that

allows us to better understand the similarities and differences of those who

constitute the Georgia Tech community, as well as the necessity of working

against the inequalities that may manifest here as they do in broader

society. (Statement approved by the Ivan Allen faculty in April 2018)

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:

GT’s policies on assistance for students with disabilities will be followed in this

class. Contact the Office of Disability Services at (404)894-2563

or http://disabilityservices.gatech.edu/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an

external site. as soon as possible to make an appointment to obtain an

accommodations letter. Please also e-mail the instructor as soon as possible in

order to set up a time to discuss students’ learning needs.