Reading and discussions of current developments and issues in linguistics. 

This course is not offered on a regular basis. The course offering for Fall 2026 is:

SPAN 4120 - SPAN 6120 / LING 4940 - LING 6940

Topics in Linguistics: Linguistic transfer & third language acquisition (Dr. Timothy Gupton)

 What happens in the mind of a polyglot? What do linguistic theory and research have to say about it? In this class we will examine third language (L3) acquisition, which is sometimes also known as "Ln acquisition" since reearch in this area is assumed to be similar for all languages subsequent to the second language (L2). In this class, we will examine L3/Ln acquisition theory and research from a variety of theoretical perspectives. Assuming the existence and importance of linguistic transfer for adult acquirers of additional languages, a point of much debate and discussion surrounds the source(s) of transfer in L3/Ln acquisition: Does transfer occur from the first language (L1) to the L3/Ln, or does transfer occur from the L2? We will examine current evidence that can inform this important question.

Taught in Spanish with readings in English. 

The synchronic and diachronic grammar of an older Indo-European language. Possible offerings include Avestan, Hittite, Lithuanian, or topics such as Indo-European phonology, morphology, or syntax.

For the Spring 2026 semester, this course will focus on Hittite:

Known to be Indo-European since 1915, the Hittite language of central Anatolia represents a later stage of a branch of the family that may have broken away from the original proto-speech community up to a thousand years earlier than any of its other branches. This class will study the grammar of Hittite in and will involve readings in Hittite texts in transliteration. At the end of the course students will be able to read transliterated Hittite texts.

The study of language as a cultural and social phenomenon. Topics include language and meaning, language and world view, language and social behavior, and language and social issues.

An interdisciplinary introduction to the study of situated language use, with an emphasis on natural, spontaneous dialogue. Students will interpret recordings and transcripts of naturally occurring conversation to identify key discourse events and linguistic features of interactional import. Focus will be placed on how linguistic resources are mobilized both to regulate the flow of information and to implement social actions, and how these practices vary across communities and cultures.

Traditional methods of historical linguistics are reviewed, with examples from several different language families. Various kinds of possible phonological and syntactic changes are investigated in relation to modern linguistic theory.

Continued studies in both the synchronic and diachronic grammar of classical Sanskrit.

The phonology, morphology, and syntax of the classical Sanskrit language, emphasizing the position of Sanskrit within the Indo-European language family and its importance for Indo-European linguistics.

Formal semantics for sentential and first-order predicate logic, including both soundness and completeness results for first-order logic. Additional topics may include Goedel's incompleteness results, the Skolem-Lowenheim theorem, or possible world semantics for modal logics.

Symbolic-mathematical logic, examining the propositional and predicate calculi, with emphasis on problems in translation and formalization and topics in the philosophy of logic and mathematics.

Identification and examination of the salient structural similarities and differences between German and English.