Language ( 1 c.u.)

The question for this proseminar concerns the nature of human language.  The topic of language has been extensively studied within psychology and linguistics and thus is in a quite technically developed, and therefore, interesting state.  Thus, beyond its inherently intriguing subject matter, recent linguistic and psycholinguistic theories are of potential interest to anyone who wants to investigate human cognition.  The proseminar has three main topics:  (1) What is a language, (2) How do humans use it (i.e.,  how do they speak and understand), and (3) How is a language learned.  Under (1) we consider the theory of language, including phonological, morphological, sentential, and discourse structures, and how these levels of organization contribute to "meaning."  This includes a primitive introduction to syntactic theory.  Under (2), we consider speech perception and production, machinery for storing and accessing the mental lexicon, sentence and discourse processing, and abnormal language.  Under (3), we consider language development (and dissolution under normal and abnormal circumstances and in normal and abnormal brains.  Format is mainly lecture/discussion.  There will be a midterm and a final exam. 1 c.u. This is a "Mind" sector course.