GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Have you ever wondered what defines the particular varieties of English that we hear all around us? How different is a Londoner from, say, a New Yorker or someone from Chicago? Should Ebonics (African-American English) be considered a separate language? Why do people stereotype each other based on their speech? Why are some dialects made fun of while others are respected? What are the strange looking symbols that appear when you run your mouse over the course title on the home page?

These are the types of questions we will explore throughout the course. In Anthropology 383, you will learn foundational information, such as the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), phonetics, and phonology and the dialect features of a New Englander, an American Southerner, a Canadian, and a speaker of AAVE. We will then use this foundational information to explore larger sociological issues of dialect, such as language attitudes and stereotypes and educational implications for different dialects. No linguistics background is assumed, though you may find it helpful to consult linguistics reference texts (especially phonetics) throughout the course of this class.

COURSE PREREQUISITES:

No linguistics background is assumed for this course. You will get all of the background knowledge you need for this course from this course. We will start from scratch with Phonetics, the IPA, and Phonology. You may, of course, find the beginning units of the course easier if you have had Linguistics or Linguistic Anthropology classes, but you do not need this background in order to successfully fulfill the course requirements.

In terms of computer requirements, you will need to have access to a computer with internet and sound capabilities. You will also need to download Quicktime software if you are using a computuer that doesn't already have it (the software is completely free and easy to download). You will find detailed, step -by -step instructions for how to download it at the bottom of the 'Help!' page.

COURSE PROCEDURES:

This course is completely online. We will not ever meet in person and you do not need to physically be in Tucson in order to fulfill the course requirements. For this reason, it is important that you keep up with the readings and assignments and let me know ASAP if you are having problems with anything.

The course is divided into 14 units. You are to complete these units over the 10 week period of the course. You can view these units by clicking on the 'Units' link above or by clicking the 'Course Units' link on this course's homepage. You will notice that each unit is linked to its own page containing all of the information you need to know about it. Each unit page includes a brief introductory preview, a list of linked readings and/or practice exercises, and often a discussion question (most, but not all units have a discussion question).

THIS COURSE IS NOT SELF-PACED. There are due dates for the homeworks and exam plus ongoing discussions based on the readings that you are required to participate in. In order to successfully complete the assignments/ exam and participate in the discussions, you will need to stay on schedule for the readings. To view the course schedule, just click here or click the 'Schedule' link on this course's homepage.

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION:

Nicole Taylor, Anthropology Ph.D. Candidate

Email: nltaylor@email.arizona.edu

PERCENTAGE BREAKDOWN OF COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

• Homeworks (70%)

• 15% = Homework 1
• 25% = Homework 2
• 30% = Homework 3

• Exam (15%)

• Online Discussion Participation (15%)

LATE WORK POLICY:

All work should be submitted on time. You should submit all work via the online forms provided on the homework and exam pages. Times for due dates (5:00 p.m., for example) refer to the Arizona Central Time Zone. Half a letter grade will be subtracted from an assignment's grade for each day the assignment is late.

MATERIALS:

You are required to purchase one book for this class:

Wells, J.C. 1982. Accents of English 1: An Introduction. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

The Language Samples Project website (hereafter referred to as LSP), is a web-text that was created specifically for this class. It contains not only readings but also interactive exercises and self tests to help you learn the concepts. You are encouraged to visit it often. You will also read supplementary articles and book chapters that can be downloaded and printed from the U of A's electronic reserve library. You may print articles at the library or at any of the CCIT computer labs on campus for 10 cents/page.