00a Course overview

Summary

This online course, 'Interdisciplinary Approaches to Language and Its Use,' offered by Charles University, introduces students to key areas in linguistics such as psycholinguistics, cognitive linguistics, and more. Over two semesters, the course covers language acquisition, disorders, bilingualism, grammar, and cultural aspects of language. The course includes audio-commented presentations, multiple-choice tests, readings, and Zoom sessions for feedback and discussion. Credits are earned through a written home exam, assessing understanding and the ability to engage with scientific literature. The course is designed to be engaging and informative, offering students a broad perspective on the interdisciplinary nature of linguistics.

Takeaways

• 😀 The course is called 'Interdisciplinary Approaches to Language and Its Use' and it will be held online this semester.
• 😀 The course introduces various interdisciplinary approaches in linguistics, focusing on psycholinguistics and cognitive linguistics in the first semester.
• 😀 Some subfields of linguistics cannot be covered due to the limited duration of the course (only two semesters).
• 😀 The first semester will cover topics in psycholinguistics, such as language acquisition, language disorders, language production, and bilingualism.
• 😀 Cognitive linguistics will focus on meaning and grammar from a cognitive perspective and language as a cultural phenomenon.
• 😀 The course format includes audio-commented presentations, multiple choice tests, readings, and complementary materials and exercises.
• 😀 The course is accessible online through Moodle, but only for students of Charles University.
• 😀 The lecture team consists of experts from the Institute of Czech Language and Theory of Communication at Charles University, specializing in various areas of linguistics.
• 😀 There will be two Zoom sessions during the semester, which are not compulsory but are encouraged for discussion and feedback.
• 😀 To earn course credits, students must pass a written home exam with five complex questions that require understanding of the course topics and the ability to argue effectively.
• 😀 The exam will have a character count limit and must be submitted within five days after signing up for it.

Q & A

What is the primary goal of the course discussed in the transcript?

The course aims to introduce students to various interdisciplinary approaches in linguistics, focusing on psycholinguistics and cognitive linguistics during the first semester.

What interdisciplinary subfields are mentioned in the course?

The course integrates findings from psycholinguistics, cognitive linguistics, pragmatics, sociolinguistics, logical semantics, and discourse analysis.

Which two disciplines will the course focus on in the first semester?

In the first semester, the course will focus on psycholinguistics and cognitive linguistics.

What topics will be covered under psycholinguistics in this course?

Psycholinguistics will cover language acquisition, language disorders, language production and comprehension, bilingualism, and other related topics.

What will be covered in the cognitive linguistics sessions?

Cognitive linguistics will focus on meaning and grammar from a cognitive perspective and explore language as a cultural phenomenon.

What type of materials will students have access to during the course?

Students will have access to audio-commented presentations, multiple choice tests, various readings, complementary materials, and exercises.

Is the course accessible to everyone?

No, the course is only accessible to students of Charles University through Moodle.

Who are the members of the lecture team, and what are their specializations?

The lecture team includes Eval Heckover (specializing in usage-based approaches, cognitive linguistics, and discourse analysis), Lucia Zaitsev (focused on language acquisition, cognitive linguistics, and pragmatics), Radek Shimi (expert in syntax, semantics, pragmatics, and information structure), and Jean-Chromie (specializing in psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics, and linguistic methodology).

What is the purpose of the two Zoom sessions during the semester?

The Zoom sessions provide students an opportunity to discuss topics with the instructors and give feedback on the course.

How can students earn course credits?

Students must pass a written home exam, which consists of five complex questions. They must demonstrate their understanding of the topics and ability to work with scientific literature and make solid arguments.