Ling 407 Phonology I 
Fall 2002
University of Delaware
Syllabus*
*A green leaf imagel () represents a www link.

Time: MWF 11:15-12:05
Place: Purnell 234
Instructor: Baris Kabak
E-mail: kabak@udel.edu
Office: Department of Linguistics, 46 E. Delaware Ave. Room 102/3
(click to see  where the building is)

Office Hours: MF 12:30-1:20, or by appointment.

URL for the course homepage: http://www.ling.udel.edu/kabak/phonology/main.html

Textbook: McMahon, April (2002). An Introduction to English Phonology. Oxford University Press (available at the UD Bookstore).

Other reading materials will be available online or be distributed in class when necessary.

Course Description: Phonology studies the mental model of speech, which is part of the linguistic knowledge that speakers possess when they know a language. In an attempt to do this, one of its goals is to describe the sound systems of individual languages. 

Phonology I gives the students the basic tools and concepts for the description of phonological systems and processes and introduces them to the fundamentals of generative phonology. We will start with segmental phonology, considering the ways in which the smallest phonological units, features, characterize the structure of sounds and their distributions. We will also see how phonological features are useful in exploring various sound changes and phonological processes in adult and child speech. In the second part of the course, we will move on to larger phonological units, in particular syllables and feet, dealing with English syllable structure and rhythm. The course will particularly focus on English phonology, with an emphasis on the range of variation between certain accents of English around the world. When necessary, phonological systems of languages other than English will also be examined. In the final strand of the course, we will do a survey of various phonological issues in the field of psycholinguistics, particularly related to speech perception and first and second language phonological development.

Phonology I is essentially a problem-based course. The main learning technique is, therefore, the analysis of phonological data to discover how the speakers represent and use the sounds of the language. Therefore, we will spend a considerable amount of time on examining phonological data in groups. 
 

Grade Distribution:
Group Assignments: 15% 
Regular Assignments: 10% 
Group Term Project Paper and Presentation: 20% 
Tests: 55% (Test 1: 15%, Test II: 20%, Test III: 20%) 

Group Assignments: Throughout the semester, you will work in small groups on a given group assignment in class. We will form the groups in the first week. Each member of a group is expected to participate in solving problems and completing the assignment. Each assignment is to be completed and turned in at the end of the class. For each group assignment, one person from the group will be the designated "reporter" of the group; (s)he will be responsible for writing up the answers for the questions in accordance with what the group members discussed and agreed on. Each member of the group will hold this role subsequently. If you are not satisfied with your group members, you need to let me know. 

Attendance: Attendance does not just mean "physical presence" in the classroom. Your active participation in class discussions, particularly in group work activities, is essential. The book chapters are *very* brief, so you are expected to come to class having read the assigned chapter. You should remember that if you do not show up in class when a group work is scheduled, you will simply get a zero for that.

Regular Assignments: There will be 5 assignments that give you the opportunity to practice and think over the concepts that you will find in your reading materials. All assignments must be handed in on time; otherwise you will receive a zero. You are encouraged to discuss the assignments together and exchange ideas with your class mates; however, each person is supposed to work on his/her own write-up. See the note on Plagiarism below. 

Group Term Project: You will be working in groups of 3 on a term project topic. The project can be one of a variety of topics that we will cover throughout the semester. I will suggest a number of topics soon, which will also be posted on the course webpage in the first weeks of the semester. You may also come up with a topic that you and your group want to work on; however, you need to consult with me on that. The deadline for deciding on a term project topic is Friday, November 1, when your group needs to tell me what they will work on. One week before the deadline, there will be a Q&A session in class about the project topics, which will help you better understand the objectives of each project thus choose your topic according to your interests. Each group will make a 15 minute presentation about their projects in class in the last week of the semester. The final draft of the term projects is due on Thursday, December 12 by 1:00 pm. Click here  for project topics.

Note on Plagiarism: Plagiarism is strictly forbidden. Although you are encouraged to work together on homework assignments, assignments that you submit must be your own. In addition, any words, ideas, or data that you borrow from other sources (including the www resources) and include in your work, including the term projects, must be properly documented. Failure to do either of these things will be considered plagiarism. The University penalizes plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty. I encourage you to review the policy on Academic Dishonestyin the 2002-2003 Official Student Handbook.

Tests: There will be 3 tests. The questions may be similar to the activities you will encounter in assignments and group work. We will have a review session before each test.