Language and Culture: Anthropology/Linguistics 313

Syllabus

Click here to see a sample Mid-Term Exam

Instructor: Stephen A. Tyler, Herbert S. Autrey Professor of Anthropology and Linguistics
Office Hours: TTH 8:30-9:15, l:00-2:00. Other times by appointment.
Office: 568A, Sewall Hall
Telephone: Ext. 3393
E-mail: styler@ruf.rice.edu
Class Structure: Lectures, Discussion, Undergraduate Seminar
Prerequisites: None. No previous course work in anthropology or linguistics is necessary.

Required Texts:

Benjamin Lee Whorf, Language Thought and Reality;
Nancy Hickerson, Linguistic Anthropology;
Lakoff and Johnson, Metaphors We Live By;
Supplementary Readings: As assigned from attached bibliography.

Purpose

The purpose of this course is to acquaint students with a broad sample of the ways different cultures and languages represent, organize and express thought, knowledge, and emotion. The course is broadly comparative. We will consider evidence and examples from a variety of the world’s languages and cultures and discuss topics that range from the culturally specific to the universal or quasi-universal. The course will provide students with a basic understanding of the literature and concepts that inform the study of language in its cultural contexts.

Course Content

The course will be organized around two procedures: close reading of assigned texts, and lectures and discussion of assigned texts. We will examine the relations between language and thought, language and reality, and language and logic. Special emphasis will be given to the work of Whorf and his critics; to issues relating to systems of folk classification in various cultures; to the role of metaphor; and to questions concerning the role of technologies of representation.

Course Outline

The course will focus first on the text by Whorf and the main topic will be linguistic relativity. This will be followed by readings, lectures and discussion on: (1) folk classification, (2) metaphor, (3) technologies of representation.

Part I. Overview. Reading: Hickerson, Ch. 1-2, Ch 3 pp. 63-107;Whorf, v-33.

A. General description of course content, purposes, etc.
B. Linguistic background—outline of linguistic structures, e.g. phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, comparative structure.
C. Semiotic background—outline of sign theories of Saussure and Peirce.

Part II. Whorf and Linguistic Relativity. Reading: Whorf, 1-42, 51-124, 134-159, 207-271; Hickerson, Ch 5

A. Background to Whorf’s writing and field work
B. Discussion of basic ideas about patternment, grammatical categories, phenotypes, cryptotypes, unconscious structure.
C. Specific cases-count nouns, mass nouns, Hopi verbs, Hopi aspects.
D. Linguistic relativity, linguistic determinism, world view.

Part III Whorf’s critics. Reading: Hickerson, Ch 5

A. The general critique
B. The Hopi case
C. The Whorf Revival—recent reappraisals

******************MID-TERM EXAM*****************

Part IV Systems of classification. Reading: Hickerson, Ch 5-6.

A. Types of classificatory structures—taxonomies, paradigms, partonomies, etc.
B. The evolution of color categories
C. Prototypes
D. The relation between linguistic categories and philosophical categories—the case of Aristotle
E. Classification and metaphor. the role of metaphor in the making and re-making of systems of classification.

Part V Metaphor. Reading: Lakoff and Johnson (all of it)

A. Structure of metaphor
B. Kinds of Metaphors
C. Role of metaphors in thought
D. Cultural knowledge in and as metaphor

Part VI The technology of representation. Hickerson, Ch 3 pp 107-120; Other Reading to be assigned

A. Basic description of alphabets, syllabaries, rebuses, and pictographic writing.
B. Guest lectures on the development of the Chinese and cuneiform writing systems.
C. Orality and Literacy. Discussion of the ways technologies of representation interact with verbal communication.
D. The memorate systems of cultures

Course Requirements

l. Mid term exam.

The exam will be based on lectures and assigned readings and will consist of short answer essays and brief identifications of key terms and concepts.

2. Final Paper

Size: approximately 10 typewritten pages
Style: essay or research with appropriate bibliography and footnotes.
Content: Students will choose from among selected questions
Due Date: Last day of classes.
Penalty for Late Papers: Reduction in letter grade of 1/2 letter grade for every two days delinquent (e.g., an A paper two days late would receive an A-).

3. Alternative Research Project

Students with appropriate background may choose to do a research project developed in consultation with the instructor.

4. Extra Credit

Only under exceptional circumstances

5. Pop Quizzes

There will be approximately 6 pop quizzes throughout the semester. Quizzes will cover reading material. There will be no make up for missed quizzes.

Grading

 Grades will be assessed on the basis of:

1. Class Attendance.

Unexcused absences in excess of 5 for the term will result in a reduction of final grade by one letter grade; in excess of 7, by two letter grades; 10 or above by three or more letter grades.

2. Class Participation.

Students are expected to be able to summarize verbally and to comment verbally in class on assigned readings and topics for class discussion.

3. Performance on Exams and Papers.

Performance will be assessed on level and creativity of interpretation, depth of analysis, use of examples, evaluation of sources, use of illustrations, deployment of arguments, coherence of ideas, readability, clarity of expression, and conformance to appropriate scholarly style.

4. Weighting

Mid term and final paper will each constitute approximately 40% of the final grade. Quizzes will account for approximately 20% of the remainder.

WITHOUT PRIOR EVALUATION OF AUTHORITY, USE OF INTERNET SOURCES FOR PAPER CONTENT IS NOT ADVISED.

Disabilities

Students with documented disabilities who need adjustments in class work should consult the instructor privately after class within the first two weeks of class. All discussion will be confidential.