Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia

Academic and Research Vice-rector

Course Syllabus Introduction to linguistics

1. COURSE IDENTIFICATION

Faculty or Unit: Escuela de Ciencias de la

Initial: ECEDU
Educación
Level: Profesional Training Field: Diciplinary Formation
Course: Introduction to Linguistics Code: 518017
Course Type: Teórico Number of credits: 2
Course Designer: Henry Lenis Course Editor: Henry Lenis
Development Day: February 1, 2020 Updating Date: May 29, 2020
Course Description:
Language is a common experience to every human being and, as a result of it, all of
us have diverse opinions of it. As an undergraduate student of English as a Foreign
Language in UNAD and as a future language professional, in this introductory course
our university fosters our student to go beyond the simple opinion on language and, to
acquire sound a scientific basis of language knowledge. To start with, the course has
an introduction where the student can learn and reflect about what linguistics is and
the language nature, then; we pass to study basic concepts of the different linguistic
levels such as grammar, phonology and phonetics, semantics; lastly, there is a section
dedicated to study language in use.

2. EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES

Course Training Purposes:

The Introduction to Linguistics course will allow the student to understand and handle
fundamental conceptualization, about what linguistics is and about the nature of
language. As a language professional, it is essential that the future teacher of English
as a foreign language has a clear and scientific basics of what language is, to the
effect that, he can successfully face multiple linguistic tasks associated with teaching-
learning language processes, such as pronunciation, dialectal groups, language
research, linguistic planning, and translation among others.
Course Competences:
- The student develops relevant conceptualization about the nature of linguistics
and language.
- The student knows the foundations of the different classical levels of language
study: phonetic-phonological, grammatical, semantic and discursive levels.
- The student, as a Foreign Language student, English major, demonstrates ability
 to specify linguistic problems in his environment.

3. COURSE CONTENTS

Units/Topics Required Bibliographic References

Unit 1 - Introduction McCabe, A. (2011). An Introduction to Linguistics and
to Linguistics Language Studies. London: Equinox Publishing Ltd.
Retrieved from
http://bibliotecavirtual.unad.edu.co/login?url=http://se
arch.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&
AN=547849&lang=es&site=eds-live&scope=site
[Big Think]. (2012, October 6). Steven Pinker: Linguistics as
a Window to Understanding the Brain [Video File].
Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-
B_ONJIEcE
Bauer, L. (2007). The Linguistic Student’s Handbook.
Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. Retrieved from
http://bibliotecavirtual.unad.edu.co/login?url=http://se
arch.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&
AN=194155&lang=es&site=eds-live&scope=site
Yule, G. (2010). The Study of Language. Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press. Retrieved from
https://fac.ksu.edu.sa/sites/default/files/cambridge.the
_.study_.of_.language.4th.edition.apr_.2010.ebook-
elohim.pdf

VIO – Virtual Information Object

The following VIO will show students Language and Reality.

Lenis, H. (2018). Language and Reality. [Video File].

Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10596/22903

Unit 2 - Speech McMahon, A. M. S. (2016). An Introduction to English

Sounds and Phonology. Edinburgh: EUP. Retrieved from
Semantics http://bibliotecavirtual.unad.edu.co/login?url=http://se
arch.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&
AN=1584999&lang=es&site=eds-live&scope=site
Coxhead, P. (2006). Natural Language Processing &
Applications Phones and Phonemes. [PDF FILE].
Retrieved from
https://www.cs.bham.ac.uk/~pxc/nlp/NLPA-Phon1.pdf
Akmajian, A. et al. (2010). Linguistics: An Introduction to
Language and Communication, 6th edition. Cambridge:
The MIT Press. Retrieved from
http://93.174.95.29/_ads/697AA18A69B732602396BA
BDBF8BEF88
Huang, Y. (2007). Pragmatics. Oxford: OUP Oxford.
Retrieved from
http://bibliotecavirtual.unad.edu.co/login?url=http://se
arch.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&
AN=1640096&lang=es&site=eds-live&scope=site

VIO – Virtual Information Object

The following VIO will show students Correctness in

Language.

Lenis, H. (2018). Correctness in Language. [Video File].

Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10596/23012
Additional Bibliographic References for the Course:

Unit 1:

Meinken, K. L. (2012). Encyclopedia of Language and Linguistics. New York: Nova

Science Publishers, Inc. Retrieved from
http://bibliotecavirtual.unad.edu.co/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login
.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=548877&lang=es&site=eds-live&scope=site
Rhoades, J. (2014). An Introduction to Language Description. Newcastle upon Tyne:
Cambridge Scholars Publishing. Retrieved from
 http://bibliotecavirtual.unad.edu.co/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login
.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=806564&lang=es&site=eds-live&scope=site
Davies, A. (2016). A Glossary of Applied Linguistics. [N.p.]: Routledge. Retrieved from
http://bibliotecavirtual.unad.edu.co/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login
.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=1158540&lang=es&site=eds-live&scope=site
Leech, G. N. (2006). A Glossary of English Grammar. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University
Press. Retrieved from
http://bibliotecavirtual.unad.edu.co/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login
.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=169615&lang=es&site=eds-live
[UW Video]. (2014, March 12). The Concept of Language (Noam Chomsky). [Video
File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdUbIlwHRkY
Davies, A. (2007). An Introduction to Applied Linguistics: From Practice to Theory
(Vol. 2nd ed). Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. Retrieved from
http://bibliotecavirtual.unad.edu.co/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login
.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=205516&lang=es&site=eds-live
Timbal Duclaux, L. (1988). David Crystal The cambridge encyclopedia of
language. Communication et Langages, (76), 122. Retrieved from
http://bibliotecavirtual.unad.edu.co/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login
.aspx?direct=true&db=edsdnp&AN=edsdnp.5649502ART&lang=es&site=eds-
live&scope=site
Sampson, G. (2005). The “Language Instinct” Debate (Vol. Rev. ed). London:
Continuum. Retrieved from
http://bibliotecavirtual.unad.edu.co/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login
.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=378086&lang=es&site=eds-live

Unit 2:

Plag, I. (2015). Introduction to English Linguistics (Vol. Third, revised and enlarged
edition). Berlin, Germany: De Gruyter Mouton. Retrieved from
http://bibliotecavirtual.unad.edu.co/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login
.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=1000457&lang=es&site=eds-live
Hacken, P. (2013). The Semantics of Word Formation and Lexicalization. Edinburgh:
Edinburgh University Press. Retrieved from
http://bibliotecavirtual.unad.edu.co/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login
.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=696585&lang=es&site=eds-live
Östman, J.-O., Ostman, J.-O., & Verschueren, J. (2011). Pragmatics in Practice.
Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing Company. Retrieved from
http://bibliotecavirtual.unad.edu.co/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login
.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=420125&lang=es&site=eds-live
International Phonetic Association (2018). /ɪntə'næʃənəl fə'nɛtɪk əsoʊsi'eɪʃn/. Retrieved
from https://www.internationalphoneticassociation.org/
Zimmermann, T. E., & Sternefeld, W. (2013). Introduction to Semantics : An Essential
Guide to the Composition of Meaning. Berlin: De Gruyter Mouton. Retrieved from
http://bibliotecavirtual.unad.edu.co/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login
.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=604253&lang=es&site=eds-live
Dijk, T. A. van. (2005). Racism and Discourse in Spain and Latin America. Amsterdam
[The Netherlands]: John Benjamins Publishing Co. Retrieved from
http://bibliotecavirtual.unad.edu.co/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login
.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=229893&lang=es&site=eds-live&scope=site

4. LEARNING STRATEGY

Description of Learning Strategy:

Task-Based-Learning that, according to Richards (2010), refers to a focus on the use

of tasks as the core of the planning process and bring language learning approach.
Some of its proponents portray it as a logical development of the communicative
approach. Some of the characteristics of TBL are the use of:
1. Activities that involve real communication since they are essential to language
learning,
2. Activities that are meaningful to the student since they help the learning process,
3. Activities in which language is used to develop meaningful tasks since they promote
real learning the language.
Phases of Learning:
Pre-task: at this time is required to make an introduction to the topic and task.
Cycle-task: students establish the framework required for the development of their
work: knowledge, strategies, and activities. Students perform the task individually or
in groups, giving everyone the chance to express themselves and make proposals
facing the development of it.
Post-task: finally, the product of the task is delivered, so you can socialize among
different groups in order to compare findings, share realities or exchange information.
 5. DISTRIBUTION OF ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES OF THE COURSE

Week Contents to develop Activity to develop according to the

learning strategy
1 and 2 Introduction to Main Students answer five questions and create
Terms three questions based on the video
“Linguistics as a Window to Understanding
the Brain” By Steven Pinker. Although, the
student is not required to participate in the
Collaborative forum to develop this task, the
director of the course encourages the student
to do it and increase your comprehension at
the interaction.
3,4,5,6 The Nature of Linguistics Students discuss and answer questions and
and Language. analysis in order to elucidate the nature of
Language and Linguistics
7,8,10,11 The Nature of Grammar. The students analyze phrases of pivotal
linguistics authors, Ferdinand de Saussure,
Noam Chomsky, and Michael Halliday; the
students identify the authors’ corresponding
thought, support their answers and tell about
these thinkers’ perspectives on the study of
language.
12,13,14 The speech sounds and Students discuss and answer questions to
Semantics. identify the nature of the sound systems in
Language and the nature of the semantic
level.
15,16 Pragmatics. Students discuss and answer questions to
identify the nature of Pragmatics meaning.
Also the student produces an argumentative
essay on a linguistic issue.

6. STRATEGIES OF ACADEMIC SUPPORT

Description of academic support strategies to apply in this course

The course director and tutors will use the means of communication as follow:
Synchronic support and monitoring: It will be done by Skype in the schedule proposed
in the course.
Non synchronic support and monitoring; all the contributions posted on the forums will
have a feedback from the tutors or course director. Questions will be answered
through internal mail.

7. COURSE EVALUATION PLAN

Highest
Weighting
Week Evaluation Products to Submit According Score /
/ 500
number Moment to the Learning Strategy 500
Points
Points
1 and 2 Pdf with analysis of Pinker’s 25
Initial 5%
video
3,4,5,6 Pdf with analysis of pivotal
24 %
linguistics authors’ thoughts.
Intermediate
5,6,7,8 Pdf with answers and analysis on
Unit 1
grammar and nature of 350 24 %
language.
9,10,11 Intermediate Pdf with answers and analysis on
22 %
Unit 2 Speech Sounds and Semantics.
12,13, Pdf with answers and analysis on 125
14,15,16 Pragmatics and, an
Final 25%
argumentative essay on a
linguistic issue.
Total Score 500 100 %
Points