APLN 591: Topics in Cognitive Linguistics
(Summer 2013)
Class hour:
Instructor:
Phone:
E-mail:
MTWR 6:00pm-8:05pm
Dr. Longxing Wei
973- 655-7501
weil@mail.montclair.edu
Classroom: University Hall 4050
Office: Schmitt Hall 240D
Office hours: By appointment
Required textbook:
Lee, David. (2001). Cognitive Linguistics: An Introduction. Oxford University Press.
ISBN: 019551424-6
Supplementary readings:
(Copies to be provided by the instructor)
[1]
Lakoff, George. (1993). The contemporary theory of metaphor. In Andrew Ortony (Ed.)
Metaphor and Thought (2nd edition). Cambridge: Cambridge.
[2]
Boroditsky, Lera. (2001). Does language shape thought? English and Mandarin speakers’
conceptions of time. Cognitive Psychology, 43(1), 1-22.
[3]
Boroditsky, Lera. (in press). Linguistic relativity. Encyclopedia of Cognitive Science.
MacMillan Press.
Course description:
Cognitive linguistics is the study of the mind through language and the study of language as a
cognitive function. Cognitive Linguistics has two main goals: to study how cognitive
mechanisms like memory, categorization, attention, and imagery are used during language
behavior, and to develop psychologically viable models of language that cover broad ranges of
linguistic phenomena. This course surveys theoretical foundations of Cognitive Linguistics and
the empirical evidence and arguments for it. If offers an introduction to the relationship between
language and cognitive processing in the human brain, explains the conceptual structures and
cognitive processes governing linguistic representation and behavior, and explores cognitive
approaches to linguistic analysis, lexical semantics, and grammatical form (with a focus on the
closely related frameworks of cognitive grammar and construction grammar). The purpose of the
course is to provide a useful introduction to Cognitive Linguistics, focusing on its central themes,
theoretical assumptions, and empirical methods.
1
Course objectives:
Upon completing the course, students should:
1. understand the essential theoretical foundations of Cognitive Linguistics and the arguments
supporting it;
2. be able to explain the relationship between language and conceptual processing in the human
brain, and the relationship between the conceptual structures and cognitive processes
governing linguistic representation and behavior;
3. be able to apply cognitive approaches to linguistic analysis, lexical semantics, and
grammatical form.
Course requirements and policies:
1. Exercise assignments: A minimum of 6 assignments. Late assignments are penalized one
letter grade for each day elapsed after the due date. All assignments must be submitted as a
condition for passing the course, even if too many days have elapsed for the assignment to
receive a passing grade.
2. Students must be responsible for their absences and the sequential course work.
Evaluation and grading:
The assignment average counts toward the final course grade. Failure to fulfill any of the course
requirements will result in a final course grade of “F.” Class participation (attendance and inclass discussion and performance) is included in the evaluation of the student’s course work.
6 assignments
90%
Class participation
10%
Exercise assignments and presentations are graded based on the following letter scale:
A 100-93, A- 92-90, B+ 89-86, B 85-83, B- 82-80, C+ 79-76, C 75-73, C- 72-70,
D+ 69-66, D 65-60, F 59-
Tentative Daily Syllabus
Note:
1. Each exercise assignment is due on the first day of the following week.
2. If necessary, the instructor will select only certain sections or parts of a listed chapter and
announce them in advance.
3. The following schedule is subject to change with prior notice as class needs dictate.
May 20
Introduction to the course
Chapter 1: Basic Concepts
2
May 21
Chapter 1: (continued)
May 22
Chapter 2: Space
May 23
Chapter 3: Extensions from Spatial Meanings
May 27
Chapter 3 (continued)
Chapter 4: Radial Categories
May 28
Chapter 4 (continued)
Chapter 5: Constructions
May 29
Chapter 5 (continued)
Chapter 6: Mental Spaces
May 30
Chapter 6 (continued)
June 3
Supplementary reading [1]:
The Contemporary Theory of Metaphor (George Lakoff)
June 4
Supplementary reading (continued)
June 5
Chapter 8: Count and Mass Nouns
June 6
Chapter 9: Perfective and Imperfective Uses of Verbs
June 10
Chapter 10: Causation and Agency
June 11
Chapter 10 (continued)
Supplementary reading [2]:
Does Language Shape Thought?: Mandarin and English Speakers’ Conceptions of
Time (Lera Boroditsky)
June 12
Chapter 13: Creativity and the Nature of Meaning
June 13
Supplementary reading [3]:
Linguistic Relativity (Lera Boroditsky)
General review
3