ANTH 206: Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology (XC)

Course Description

In this course, students will develop knowledge and skills in the theories, research methods, and modes of analysis of linguistic anthropology. The course focuses on how linguistic anthropologists attend to elements of phonology, morphology, syntax, and semiotics to better understand speech in social and cultural contexts. How does language and speech reflect and emerge from social relations and cultural beliefs and practices? In turn, how does speech and language impact and shape culture, social relationships, hierarchy, power, inequality, resistance, and more? To this end, the course emphasizes approaches such as verbal art as performance and ethnography of speaking and includes topics such as constructed languages, code-switching, linguistic revitalization, speech and identity, and the intersections of race, gender, and speech.