Introduction to Linguistics

Dr. Aya Meltzer-Asscher

Course Description

The course introduces the main research directions in modern linguistics.

At the outset of the course, we'll define the basic assumptions and goals of modern linguistics.

During the course we'll get to know the different research areas included in modern linguistics:

• Syntax, studying the structure of sentences
• Semantics, studying the meaning of sentences and of the units composing them
• Pragmatics, studying meaning as it relates to context
• Morphology, studying the structure of words
• Phonology, studying the structure of the system of speech sounds
• Language acquisition, studying the way in which children acquire their mother tongue
• Psycholinguistics, studying how speakers use their linguistic knowledge in language processing and production
• Neurolinguistics, studying the representation of linguistic knowledge in the brain

Students will acquire knowledge that will enable them to analyze a variety of linguistic phenomena.

Prerequisites: None

Course Requirements

The course requires weekly assignments, a midterm and a final exam (both with a passing grade).