Upper Division and Graduate Courses that I Teach or Have Taught in the Past

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Current courses - Fall 2008

Number	Time	Location	Web
SPN412-01	T,R 11:00-12:15pm	SB207B	info page	student page
SPN101-02	M,W,F 10:00-10:50pm	SB207A
SPN101-03	M,W,F 12:30-1:20pm	SB207A

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Upper division and graduate courses that I teach

SPN 412: Introduction to Spanish Linguistics
(Fall 2002)

"Este curso es una introducción al estudio científico de la lengua española en sus muchas dimensiones: la fonética, la fonología, la morfología, la sintaxis, la semántica, la pragmática, el cambio a través del tiempo y la sociolingüística. El grueso de la clase se dedica a explorar el sistema de sonidos del español, lo que incluye la variación dialectal y estilística y la ortografía. Ejercicios prácticos ayudan al alumno en el área de la pronunciación y la ortografía. También se estudiarán los rudimentos de los orígenes y cambios del español a través de los tiempos y se comparará el español con algunas de las principales lenguas latinas o románicas, tales como el francés, el italiano y el portugués. La clase se lleva a cabo íntegramente en español y hace uso de la Web y una lista electrónica para los intercambios con el profesor y otros alumnos fuera de clase, la participación en los cuales es obligatoria."

[An introduction to the scientific study of the Spanish language. The course briefly reviews the many dimensions of linguistic analysis, including phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, diachronic change, and sociolinguistics. The main part of this course is devoted to exploring the sounds and sound system of Spanish, including dialectal and stylistic variation in pronunciation as well as orthography. Practical exercises help students with their pronunciation and spelling. Spanish will be compared to other Romance languages which trace their origins to Latin, such as French, Italian and Portuguese. Conducted in Spanish, this course makes use of Web tools for discussion and exchange of information.] "

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SPN 495: Seminar in Linguistics
(Spring 2002)

A introduction to some major linguistic and (to a lesser extent) social--or sociolinguistic--aspects of the Spanish language. After reviewing the many dimensions of the linguistic study of languages, the main part of this course will explore the sounds (sound system) of Spanish, as well as the orthography and differences in pronunciation among dialects. This review will include many practical exercises to help students with their pronunciation and spelling. We will also look at how Spanish fits in the Romance family of languages (which also includes French, Italian, and Portuguese, among others) tracing its evolution from Latin, concentrating primarily on the sound changes that took place. Finally, we will investigate some aspects of the social world in which Spanish is spoken, such as its coexistence with other languages in many countries, both in Spain, Latin America, and the United States.

The course will be conducted primarily in Spanish.

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SPN 415: Spanish Civilization
(Fall 2001)

Descripción del curso (from the catalog)
"An examination of the historical, political, intelectual, and cultural factors which have molded the Spanish people. Readings, lectures and discussions in Spanish."

Objetivos del curso
El primer objetivo de este curso es presentar al alumno con una panorámica general de España para empezar a entender esta nación-estado y los pueblos y gentes que lo constituyen. Se investigarán su geografía, su historia y sus expresiones artísticas y culturales, tanto las populares (costumbres, tradiciones, fiestas, folklore, artesanía, músicas populares) como las más 'cultivadas' (literatura, arte, música). También es estudiarán temas de actualidad política, económica, social y cultural, los cuales se relacionarán con sus raíces históricas. Se investigarán también las diferentes regiones y pueblos que componen el Estado español y las múltiples identidades existentes entre sus ciudadanos, que también se pondrán en contexto histórico.
El segundo objetivo es el de cultivar el nivel lingüístico del alumno en todas las áreas, es decir en la comprensión y la expresión, en el habla y en la escritura, por medio de lecturas, conferencias, documentales y sobre todo por medio de conversaciones, debates y otros intercambios de ideas entre profesor y alumnos, así como los alumnos entre sí, tanto en la clase durante las tres horas de clase semanales, como en la lista electrónica de la clase, durante toda la semana.

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SPN 750: Introduction to Spanish Linguistics and Sociolinguistics
(Spring 2002, Spring 2004, Fall 2006)

An introduction to Spanish linguistics. The course examines several areas of the Spanish linguistics, in particular the sound system (phonetics and phonology), dialectal variation (dialectology), and the history of the language from its Latin roots (diachrony). Some aspects of sociolinguistics are also touched upon, such as cross-cultural differences in communication norms. The main focus of the course is the sound system, including spelling, proper pronunciation, and dialectal variation in pronunciation. In Spanish. Uses online enhancements to classroom discussion, such as a class mailing list.

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ENG 776: Foundations of Linguistic Theory
(Fall 2002, Fall 2003)

This course will cover the principal aspects of language: sounds, words, grammatical and semantic meaning; language similarities and differences and writing systems.

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SPN 203: The Spanish Speaking World I: Spain

An interdisciplinary introduction to the peoples and cultures of Spain. The course provides a panoramic overview of Hispanic culture in Spain through the study of a variety of cultural texts that include movies, music, newspaper and magazine articles, literary texts, and the Internet. Three hours of class work per week. Taught in English.

I taught this course: FALL 2003

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SPN 350: Advanced Spanish Grammar

A study of the finer points of standard Spanish grammar. Three hours of classwork per week. Lectures, discussion, and exercises designed to help students review and expand on the principal elements of standard Spanish grammar through grammatical analysis of literary and other texts in order to attain a higher level of sophistication in linguistic analysis. Conducted primarily in Spanish.

Prerequisites: Advanced intermediate Spanish: SPN 202, 212, 220 or 222.

I taught this course: Fall 2004?

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SPN 351: Advanced Conversational Spanish

"The aim of this course is to help the student develop greater fluency in the spoken language. Emphasis is placed on the vocabulary and idioms encountered in day-to-day living. Three hours of classwork per week. This course promotes interaction as a way to achieve facility in language use. In pairs, small groups, and whole class activities, students simultaneously refine their ideas and their language proficiency. Students will achieve communicative competence as well as continue their exploration into the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. Conducted entirely in Spanish."

The main objective of this course is to improve oral competency from the grammar and vocabulary learned in elementary and intermediate Spanish language courses. In this class notions of grammar will not be introduced or discussed explicitly. It is up to the student to review the grammar and vocabulary as needed. The textbook contains grammatical explanations and vocabulary which is to be reviewed by the student on his or her own in order to successfully complete the communicative activities to be performed in the classroom.

Prerequisites: Advanced intermediate Spanish: SPN 202, 212, 220 or 222.

I taught this course: SPRING 2003, SUMMER 2005, SUMMER 2006

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Other linguistics courses at SSC

ENG 323: History of the English Language

A study of the historical development of sounds, inflection, structure, and vocabulary of English, with particular attention to Middle English and early modern English.

Fall 1998 Course Description: ENG 323 is a course in how the English language arose, changed, and developed into the language we know today. We will deal briefly with the early Indo-European language and its branches, and we will also build up a working knowledge of English phonology and the International Phonetic Alphabet. From there, we will study the major periods of English, noting how and why the vocabulary, spelling, pronunciation, and structure of the language have changed, and conclude by examining the current state of English.

ENG 423: Introduction to linguistics

A study of the origins of language, alphabet development, language classification, dialects, and language change; an analysis of phonology, syntax, and semantics of the English language.

ENG 771: Sociolinguistics

This course focuses on the tudy of language variation, its social, political and cultural significance. Students will evaluate current sociolinguistic theory and research. Topics of study will include language attitudes, language identity, language and power. Prerequisite: ENG776.

ENG 774: Spanish Linguistics

This course will acquaint students with the Spanish language, including its greagraphical distrubution, historical relationships, and the common structural characteristics shared with other Romance languages. The course will provide students with the conceptual tools to better understand and articulate the similarities and differences between Spanish and English. The ability to speak Spanish, though helpful, is not required for this course.

It was offered in FALL 1999; I taught this course; it is not likely that it will be offered again in the near future; I teach SPN 750 instead

ENG 776: Foundations of Linguistic Theory

This course will cover the principal aspects of language: sounds, words, grammatical and semantic meaning; language similarities and differences and writing systems.

I taught this course: FALL 2002, FALL 2003

ENG 780: Psycholinguistics

This course will consider topics such as: the nature of language, language and the brain, language acquisition, bilingual and inter-language. (?)

ENG 782: Origin and Development of the English Language

This course will trace the origin of the English language, its linguistic and historical development, and the social and literary forces which shaped it until the present time.

ENG 782 is a course in how the English language arose, changed, and developed into the language we know today. We will deal briefly with the early Indo-European language and its branches, and we will also build up a working knowledge of English phonology and the International Phonetic Alphabet. From there, we will study the major periods of English, noting how and why the vocabulary, spelling, pronunciation, and structure of the language have changed, and conclude by examining the current state of English.

This course is offered in two options: a classroom option and an Internet-only option. Both options will involve extensive use of the Internet for class assignments and for research. A large portion of the course will be devoted to primary research which makes extensive (but not exclusive) use of Internet sources. Full instruction in Internet research will be provided, with additional individualized instruction available as needed.

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Salem State College | Department of Foreign Languages

Page URL: www.lrc.salemstate.edu/aske/courses.htm

Last updated: January 22, 2005

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