LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
ANT 5620
FALL 2009
Tuesday, Thursday
Location: HPA 107
3:00-4:15 PM
Professor: Dr. Rosalyn Howard
Phone: 407-823-6554
Email: rhoward@mail.ucf.edu
Website: http://rhoward.user.cos.ucf.edu
Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 11:00 AM-12:30 PM
and by appointment
Office Location: Phillips Hall, Room 309
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is an in depth exploration of linguistic anthropology. We will explore aspects of language and demonstrate
how it is an integral part of human culture and behavior. Topics of study include a variety of cross-cultural language
issues “official languages” as legacies of colonialism, creole languages, and hiphop languaculture.
REQUIRED READINGS:
Each week there are assigned readings from various sources. These assigned readings are listed in the
Syllabus and available electronically via a link through the Webcourses site for ANG 5620.
POLICIES
1. Academic Dishonesty (e.g., Cheating, Plagiarism) will not be tolerated. Any violation of the UCF
“Golden Rule” guidelines will result in a Zero (0) for the exam and possibly failure of the course.
2. Disability Statement: U.C.F. and Dr. Howard are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for
all persons with disabilities. This syllabus is available in alternate formats upon request. Students with
disabilities who need accommodations in this course must meet with Dr. Howard at the beginning of the
semester to discuss needed accommodations.
No accommodations will be provided for disability until the student has:
First: Registered with Student Disability Services, Student Resource Center Room 132, phone (407) 8232371, TTY/TDD only phone (407) 823-2116 and, Second: Met with Dr. Howard.
3. Syllabus: The syllabus schedule and topics to be covered are tentative. The professor reserves the right to
alter the syllabus as needed. Students will be notified accordingly.
4. Lectures: Students are responsible for reviewing the assignments prior to class. Students are responsible for
obtaining lecture notes and handouts on the days they are absent. Contact your fellow students through the
Webcourses site. Class lectures are the property of the professor and may not be taped without prior permission.
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6. Cell Phones and Beepers: All cell phones and beepers must be turned off before class begins. If your cell phone or
beeper rings during the class, or you are caught text messaging, your grade will be affected. First time: Warning; Second
Time: 5 points off your grade.
EVALUATION OF STUDENT LEARNING
1. MIDTERM ESSAY (40 points)
Choose one from the selected articles and write a 4-5 page essay critiquing that article. You may use outside sources.
2. FINAL ESSAY (70 points)
Write a 7-8 page essay on your topic of interest in Language and Culture. Topics must be approved by
Prof. Howard
3. FIELDWORK ASSIGNMENT (20 points)
Select a person to interview who is from a culture other than your own and whose first language is not
English. In an essay, document and discuss the differences in kinesics and proxemics that you notice
during a conversation or other interaction between that person and yourself. Explore the literature on
kinesics and proxemics from that persons home country and include details in your essay. The essay
include your personal reactions to and insights about the experience. Be sure to include reflections on
what you learned about nonverbal communication from this exercise. 3-4 pages double-spaced.
4. RESPONSE PAPERS (20 Points)
You will choose two (2) articles from the assigned readings about which you will write 1-2 page Response
Papers. You should use “first person” and provide your personal insights on the subject. Double-spaced, typed.
Each paper has a maximum of 10 points.
A = 150-135 (90-100%)
B = 134-120 (80-89%)
GRADING SCALE (TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS = 220)
C = 119-105 (70-79%)
F = 104 and below
COURSE SCHEDULE
Fall 2009
WEEK 1 (August 25, 27) Introduction
25
Course Overview
(C)
27
Cross Cultural Communication: Class Exercise (C)
WEEK 2 (Sept.1, 3)
Cut-Eye and Suck-Teeth
WEEK 3 (Sept. 8, 10)
Read: “The Language You Cry In: Review” and watch the film (C)
WEEK 4 (Sept. 15, 17)
Linguistic Aspects of Australian Aboriginal English
WEEK 5 (Sept. 22, 24)
Seeing Voices: Deaf Culture
WEEK 6 (Sept. 29, Oct. 1) Sociolinguistics
2
Suite for Ebony and Phonics
WEEK 7 (Oct. 6, 8) Nonverbal Communication
Proxemics in Cross-Cultural Context: Japan and Arab
WEEK 8 (Oct. 13, 15) Midterm
MIDTERM ESSAY DUE- submit to Turnitin.com
WEEK 9 (Oct. 20, 22)
New Directions in Pidgin and Creole Studies
WEEK 10 (Oct 27, 29) Fieldwork Assignment
Fieldwork Assignment Due by 5 PM
WEEK 11 (Nov. 3, 5) Endangered Languages
“The Ecology of Language” (C)
WEEK 12 (Nov. 10, 12) Gullah Dialect
The Gullah Dialect Revisited
How African is Gullah and Why?
WEEK 13 (Nov 17, 19 Doing Linguistic Anthropology
Teaching Beliefs in Mohawk Culture
WEEK 14 (Nov. 24) Doing Linguistic Anthropology (cont)
24 Reading 11: “Nuthin’ but a G Thang”: Hip Hop Language Identity (C)
26
Thanksgiving Holiday
WEEK 15 (Dec. 1, 3) Doing Linguistic Anthropology
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Reading 12: Campus Hate Speech and Conduct Codes (C)
WEEK 16 (Dec 8) Final Exam Week
FINAL ESSAY DUE by 5 PM - submit to Turnitin.com
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