English 443/543: Phonology (3 credits)
Fall 2015
Dr. Lynn Gordon
e-mail: gordonl@wsu.edu
Objectives The purpose of this course is to help students
to learn about the sound systems of natural human languages,
to learn how to make arguments in favor of particular analyses, and
to become familiar with the range of natural variation and distribution of speech sounds in human languages.
Texts Required: Introducing Phonology, 2nd ed. (2013). David Odden
Recommended: Phonetic Symbol Guide, 2nd ed. (1996) Geoffrey K. Pullum and William A. Ladusaw
Tentative Schedule (Subject to instant revision)
Weeks 1-2: Introduction to phonology and to acoustic and articulatory phonetics: Chapter 1
Weeks 3-4: Allophonic processes and rules: Chapter 2
Weeks 5-6: Introduction to classes of sounds, features, formulation of rules: Chapter 3
Weeks 7-8: Levels of representation: underlying forms, surface forms: Chapter 4
Weeks 9-11: Interacting processes, rule outputs and rule ordering: Chapter 5
Weeks 12-14: Phonological sketches: Chapter 6
Week 15: Review
Grading
Homework and in-class exercises 443: 15% 543: 15%
Quizzes 443: 35% 543: 30%
Final Exam (take-home) 443: 50% 543: 45%
Extended Analysis 443: -- 543: 10%
Homework: There will be regular homework assignments, graded credit/no credit. There will typically be a class session between when the homework is assigned and when it is due, so that you have the opportunity to ask questions before the homework is due. Talk about your homework and anything else in the class with each other and me; however, each of you should write up your homework separately. No homework will be accepted late (unless there is a disaster which calls you out of school; colds, the press of other classes, or the general difficulties of life are not disasters)--even if you feel your attempt is unsatisfactory, turn it in.
Quizzes In place of a midterm exam, there will be short quizzes every week or two. The quizzes will consist of problems similar to those we discuss in class and those on the homework assignments. No individual quiz is worth much; however all together they will form about a third of your course grade. There will be no make-up quizzes unless there is a disaster. (See above for what a disaster is.)
Extended Analysis The students enrolled in 543 will also be expected to produce an analysis of a data set that is longer than the usual problem set. The analysis will require the formulation and ordering of rules and arguing for particular analyses.
Final Exam The cumulative final exam will be take-home due by 5:00 pm on Wednesday, 16 December.
University Announcements
Disability Policy Reasonable accommodations are available for students with a documented disability. If you have a disability and need accommodations to fully participate in this class, please either visit or call the Access Center (Washington Building 217; 509-335-3417) to schedule an appointment with an Access Advisor. All accommodations MUST be approved through the Access Center. For more information contact a Disability Specialist at 509-335-341, http://accesscenter.wsu.edu, Access.Center@wsu.edu
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