Chabot College
Fall 2012
Course Outline for ANTHROPOLOGY 4
LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
Catalog Description:
4 - Language and Culture
3 units
An introduction to the core concepts of linguistic anthropology and the study of language in
culture and society, including how language perpetuates the identity of individuals through their
social interactions and their culture in everyday speech events. Topics such as identity, social
status, gender, race, and institutional power, are examined in contemporary language use.
Traditional study of the methods of linguistic anthropologists as well as the study of biological
basis of communication and speech, the structure of language, language origins, language
through time, language variation, the ethnography of communication, sociolinguistics, nonverbal
communication and writing, and how cultural context sets meaning. 3 hours.
[Typical contact hours: 52.5
Prerequisite Skills: None
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:
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identify the ways in which languages change through time and space;
describe theories of language acquisition;
describe the phonology and morphology of language systems;
distinguish, compare and contrast verbal and nonverbal systems of communication;
evaluate the anthropological approach to the study of language, culture, and society and
apply these principals to contemporary issues;
6. analyze and evaluate conversations and speech events from an anthropological
perspective.
Course Content:
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Introduction to the four-field approach and linguistic anthropology methodology
Language origins and the biological basis for language: language and human evolution
Theories of language acquisition
Forms of communication – verbal and nonverbal communication
Linguistic analysis – the structure of languages
Languages and cultural meaning; the relationship between language and culture
Speech events – looking at the use of language around us
Language, identity, and power
Linguistic anthropology in the contemporary world - intercultural communication and
miscommunication
Methods of Presentation:
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Lectures
Textbook reading assignments; additional reader or handouts will be assigned
Class and group discussions
Presentation of audio-visual materials
Research project
Chabot College
Course Outline for Anthropology 4, Page 2
Fall 2012
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1. Typical Assignments
a. In class observe a video of a speech event. Students will record what they perceive
to be key components of the interactions and in small groups discuss their
observations. Then apply Hymes’ model of S P E AK I N G to the observed event.
How does his methodology allow us to understand this interaction? Following this,
students will be asked to evaluate their own small-group interaction, using the same
model.
b. Students will observe a series of short video clips and record their observations.
Then, in small groups students will analyze their observations, focusing on how
people use language differently in different contexts, especially noting “code
switching”. Students will conduct informal observations, noting at least two language
events before the next class meeting and in the same group, discuss their
observations and analysis.
c. Students will be exposed to a number of different approaches to understanding and
analyzing language. What has become known as the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis has
been discredited by much of modern linguistic theory. In light of this, students will
read essays such as Everett’s analysis of Pirahã linguistic structure and be
prepared to discuss what the implications are for our understanding of linguistic
universals and the structure of language. How do these findings and Everett’s
analysis challenge Chomsky’s and other theories of language structure?
2. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
a. Two In-class and/or take-home content-based quizzes and essays based on
readings, lectures and in-class discussions will be administered during the semester.
b. Written analysis of articles - students will be provided with professional articles and
will provide a written summary and analysis of the perspectives presented.
c. Final examination or project: As a final capstone project, students will be expected to
reflect their understanding of the discipline through a comprehensive examination or
through research where students collect data through a field observation of a speech
event. The student will observe and transcribe the event and then analyze the
exchange applying the methodology and analysis utilized by anthropologists.
Attention will be paid to the context of the interaction and how the event transmits
cultural messages that reflect social relations such as hierarchy, power, cultural
identity, group solidarity and other social constructs. Observations of language
usage, conversation style, culture, gender, race and class relations are expected to
be included. Findings will be presented to the class.
Textbook(s) (Typical):
Bonvillain, Nancy (2011). Language, Culture, and Communication: The Meaning of Messages
(6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall.
Salzmann, Zdenek (2011), Language, Culture, and Society
Chabot College
Course Outline for Anthropology 4, Page 3
Fall 2012
Basso, Keith H (1999) Portraits of "The Whiteman" - Linguistic play and cultural symbols Among
the Western Apache, Cambridge University Press, – (A classic in anthropological linguistics –
accessible for all readers.)
Special Student Materials:
None
kw Language and Culture Outline.doc
New/Revised: 9, 9, 2011