SPAN 4306 – Applied Spanish Linguistics
University of Memphis | Department of World Language and Literatures
Professor: Allen R. Woodall III E-mail: a.woodall@memphis.edu
Course Description & Objectives
SPAN 4306 – Applied Spanish Linguistics is designed for students who have completed the Spanish Basic Language Program (SPAN 1010; SPAN 1020; SPAN 2010; SPAN 2020) and at least one 3000-level SPAN course, unless otherwise permitted by the department. This course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to study and develop concepts in Hispanic Linguistics and their applications to Language Teaching & Learning, Political Science, and Culture Studies. This course is given exclusively in Spanish.
The course will be divided into two principle components: (i) the study of Linguistic Theory in various subfields of Linguistics and (ii) applications and uses of these theories in current and relevant contexts. Students are expected to familiarize themselves with the materials as well as be able to apply concepts and past precedents to new contexts.
Topics covered in Linguistic Theory will be:
Fonética y Fonología: Phonetics is the study and classification of sounds produced in spoken language, whereas phonology is the study of speech sounds, including (i) systematic variations or alterations through language change and (ii) their distribution.
Morfología: Morphology is the study of word formation and word-forming elements and processes, such as derivation and compounding.
Sintaxis: Syntax is the study of constituent (i.e., phrases or clauses) formation and distribution. We will introduce and discuss Universal Grammar (UG) and arguments for the genetic component of the language faculty.
Historia de la lengua: The history of a language or historical grammar is the study of diachronic language variation and change. Students will discuss and analyze systematic changes and patterns in the evolution of Spanish languages from Vulgar Latin in Iberia / Hispania.
Semántica: Semantics is the psychological study of meaning in language. We will briefly discuss the principles of the three subfields of semantics: formal, lexical, and conceptual semantics.
Pragmática: Pragmatics is the study of the relationship between language use & the context or discourse in which it occurs. We will address topics like deixis, discursive practices, presupposition, and implicature.
Dialectlogía y Variación: Dialectology is the formal study of the dialects of a given language. Variation often results from social or geographic isolation, and is one of the driving forces of language change.
Sociolingüística: Sociolinguistics is the study of the sociological factors that affect linguistic variation. This field of linguistics attempts to isolate and identify the sociological feature(s) correlated with a specific linguistic variant and gives linguists insight into the role that social interaction plays in language variation and change. Factors typically addressed in Sociolinguistics include (but are not limited to) age, sex, education, occupation, sexuality, race, socioeconomic class, and peer-group identification.
Extralinguistic topics covered in this course will include but may not be limited to:
Ideologías lingüísticas: Language ideologies exist at the intersection of language, culture, and politics, and they address moral and political interests at the micro and macro levels of linguistic interaction. They are generally systems of conceptualizations or idealizations of language, its users, and discursive practices.
Raza, Racialización e Identidad Etnoracial Latinx: We will examine the social construction of race in Latin America and in the US, introduce and discuss the notion of racialization of Spanish in the US, and critically analyze constructions of ethnoracial identity among US Latinxs (Fuller and Leeman, 2020).
Lenguaje e Identidad: We will attempt to adopt a framework for analyzing the social construction and performance of identities in linguistic interactions, and to examine research how Spanish-speakers in the US use language in the construction, performance, and negotiation of identity (Fuller and Leeman, 2020).
Política lingüística en EE.UU.: Students will discuss modern language policies, specifically those adopted by the US with respect to Spanish. We will analyze and critique the ways in which formal (i.e., governments) and informal (i.e., scholars) entities influence (i) the sociopolitical establishment, status, maintenance, and use of languages, (b) the vitality of languages and language varieties, and (c) linguistic rights of the individual.
La enseñanza y el aprendizaje: Students will contextualize linguistic concepts for the language-learning classroom. What can the linguistic phenomena of native speakers tell us about language acquisition? How is this useful in the language-learning classroom? Is First Language Acquisition distinct from Second Language Acquisition? How is this helpful or relevant? How can educators develop teaching techniques based on linguistic theory and data? Students will forge and address such questions.
Required Materials
Hualde, José Ignacio; Antxon Olarrea; Anna María Escobar; Catherine E. Travis; and Cristina Sanz. 2021. Introducción a la Lingüística Hispánica (tercera edición). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Fuller, Janet M., and Jennifer Leeman. 2020. Speaking Spanish in the US: The Sociopolitics of Language (second edition). Bristol: Multilingual Matters.
Additional articles will be posted on eCourseware throughout the semester.
Methodology
This course is given completely and exclusively in Spanish, and will be given face-to-face only, excepting extreme circumstances. Students will be required (i) to read the assigned chapters and/or academic articles and (ii) complete the related assignment(s), which will be submitted to Dropbox via eCourseware, before lectures. This is the most conducive method for productive communication and discussion in class. Students who are not prepared for in-class discussions will earn significantly lower participation grades, which will ultimately be a detriment to their overall success in the course.
Evaluation Components
Participation (6 x 2%): 12%
Homework Assignments: 10%
Content Assessments (4 x 9%): 36%
Midterm Exam: 12.5%
Student-Selected Topic Presentation 7%
Final Exam: 12.5%
Academic Paper: 10%
Participation (6 x 2%) (12%)
Students will prepare for lectures outside of class by reading the assigned materials beforehand. In class, students are expected to summarize and elaborate on the reading materials during discussions. This course challenges students to critically analyze and personally develop concepts in Linguistic Theory. In-class discussions are designed to encourage students to provide their own unique perspectives related to the topic at hand, as well as speculate on real-world applications of what they´ve read in a meaningful and authentic context. Participation will be evaluated six (6) times throughout the semester based on the Participation Rubric provided in Appendix A. Cellphones, food, and gum in the classroom interfere with the objectives and are therefore not permitted. Use of technology is permitted only to access course materials as indicated by your instructor. Failure to actively participate in the class, frequent use of English and/or disruptive behavior will result in a deduction of the student’s participation grade.
Homework Assignments (10%)
Before each class, students will be required to complete a questionnaire and/or assignment related to the readings for that day´s in-class discussion. These assignments must be submitted to Dropbox on eCourseware before class begins. These assignments are designed to ensure that students read the required materials thoroughly before class to better prepare them for in-class discussions. Failure to submit assignments will significantly hinder a student´s success in the course. No late assignments are accepted excepting extreme circumstances. A homework assignment schedule can be found in Appendix B.
Content Assessments (4 x 9%) (36%)
Students will be required to complete four (4) in-class assessments. These assessments will evaluate familiarity with topics covered in Linguistic Theory. They will consist of a wide variety of evaluative styles (multiple choice, short answer, fill-in-the-blank, matching, essay, etc.), and each assessment will address two of the chapters covered in Hualde et al (2021).
Assessment I – Fonética y Fonología & Morfología
Assessment II – Sintaxis & Historia de la lengua
Assessment III – Semántica y Pragmática
Assessment IV – Dialectología y Variación & Sociolingüística
Applications of linguistic concepts in these subfields will be evaluated minimally on the content assessments. The assessments are not intended to evaluate the ability to apply Linguistic Theory to practical contexts.
Midterm Exam (12.5%)
The midterm exam will cover practical applications of theoretical concepts evaluated on content assessments I & II, as well as topics covered in Fuller and Leeman (2020) and other scholarly articles discussed in class. Students will also be provided with unfamiliar contexts to which the covered concepts in Linguistic Theory must be applied.
Student-Selected Topic Presentation (7%)
Each student will select an article or a book chapter related to one of the subfields of Linguistics studied in class. Each student will read the article/chapter before class, and the student that selected the topic will lead the class in a discussion/class about the topic(s). The student should include visual aids, examples, and activities in their presentation/discussion.
Final Exam (12.5%)
The Final Exam will be cumulative and will cover Hualde et al (2021) & Fuller and Leeman (2020). Students should be able to demonstrate and apply principles in Linguistic Theory. Friday, Apr 29, 10:30a - 12:30p.
Academic Paper (10%)
Students will choose a topic or topics of interest in one (1) subfield of Linguistics covered in Hualde et al (2021) OR one (1) subfield of Applied Linguistics covered in Fuller and Leeman (2020) about which they will write an academic paper addressing theory / research or practical applications of aforementioned topic(s), respectively. This assignment will consist of an 8-10 page paper implementing APA or LSA formats (whichever is preferred by the student). Students will submit the final draft of their paper no later than 22 April 2022. A rubric along with a detailed description of this assignment can be found in Appendix A.
Course Policies
Make-Ups & Extensions
No make-ups or extensions are allowed for assessments, including content assessments, exams, and the academic paper submission. If an emergency prevents you from completing an assessment, you must completed the Missed Assessment Approval Form (contact your instructor) and have valid written documentation to justify your excuse including all required information. Examples include: a doctor's note, a court citation, a published funeral notice, or a police report. These documents must state clearly that you were unable to attend class the day of the assessment. Non-acceptable documentation could include attendance to a wedding or other social event, early travel arrangements, employer related requirements, a drug prescription, a routine doctor’s appointment. A missed assessment without valid documentation to justify the absence will result in a grade of zero. Non-evaluative assignments (such as homework) may not be submitted late excepting extreme circumstances.
Campus Policies
Academic Integrity
Plagiarism, cheating and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited. Students guilty of academic misconduct, either directly or indirectly, through participation or assistance, are immediately responsible to the instructor of the class in addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions which may be imposed through the regular institutional disciplinary procedures. Expectations for academic integrity and student conduct are described in detail on the website of the Office of Student Accountability, see section on Academic Integrity.
Student Accommodations
The University of Memphis values diversity, and, therefore, students with diverse learning preferences and needs are welcome in this course. You are encouraged to speak with the instructor privately if there are aspects of instruction or design of this course that result in barriers to inclusion or accurate assessment of achievement. If barriers are preventing anyone with a temporary injury or a physical, mental, or cognitive condition from participating fully in this course, please contact Disability Resources for Students (DRS) to submit an official request for course accommodations. You may contact DRS by calling 901.678.2880, emailing drs@memphis.edu or visiting 110 Wilder Tower.
Student Resources
Students who need additional resources can visit the website of the Dean of Students Office.
Religious Observance
Religiously observant students wishing to be absent on holidays that require missing class should notify their instructor in writing at the beginning of the semester, and should discuss with their instructor, in advance, acceptable ways of making up any work missed because of the absence.
Excused Absences for University Extracurricular Activities
Students participating in an officially sanctioned, scheduled University extracurricular activity will be given the opportunity to make up class assignments or other graded assignments missed as a result of their participation. It is the responsibility of the student to make arrangements, prior to the absence, for making up missed work.
Library, Tutoring, and Additional Resources
Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading must be included in all courses. The myMemphis portal system, eCampus Student tab provides access to University library and tutorial services. The tutoring link in the course navigation bar on eCourseware provides access to free online tutoring through UpSwing tutoring.
Other support services for current UofM students are available at https://www.memphis.edu/students/.
Sexual Misconduct and Domestic Violence Policy
The University of Memphis is committed to ensuring equality in education and eliminating all acts of sexual misconduct from its campus. Sexual misconduct includes sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. Campus policy establishes procedures for responding to Title IX-related allegations of sexual misconduct. Complaints can be reported to the Office for Institutional Equity (OIE). You may contact OIE by phone at 901.678.2713 or by email at oie@memphis.edu. Complaints can be submitted online at File a Complaint. OIE's office is located at 156 Administration Building. Please note that if you make a report to your instructor, they are required to report. If you would like to make a confidential report, contact the University Counseling Center, 214 Wilder Tower, 901.678.2068.
Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy:
University policy prohibiting discrimination and harassment based on protected characteristics and classes. Complaints of discrimination and harassment can be reported to the Office for Institutional Equity (OIE). You may contact OIE by phone at 901.678.2713 or by email at oie@memphis.edu. The full text of the policy can be found at GE2030 - Non-Discrimination and Antiharassment.
Tobacco Use Policy (UM1738)
Tobacco use is not permitted in any U of M-owned or leased property. This includes all grounds, vehicles, and buildings owned or leased by U of M. This policy applies to all faculty, staff, students, contractors, and visitors of U of M and is in effect 24 hours a day, year-round. This policy applies to all forms of tobacco products including, but not limited to, cigarettes, pipes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and snuff as well as smokeless electronic cigarettes and other similar devices. Violations of this policy by students should be brought to the attention of Judicial Affairs.
Children on Campus (UM1645)
Presence in classrooms is restricted to properly enrolled students or visitors with legitimate purpose, who may be adults or minors. Instructors of record are responsible for ensuring that individuals who attend their classes are properly enrolled or have been invited for the purpose of making special announcements, guest lecturing, or other authorized reasons. Instructors are also responsible for addressing situations when unauthorized individuals attend their classes.
Syllabus Modifications
The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.
Technical Support:
Call the Helpdesk: 901-678-8888
Online link: umTech ITS Service Desk