Jack B. Martin

Courses

• Anthropology/English 220 (Study of Language).  An introduction to linguistics, the scientific study of human language.  Considers languages as structured systems of form and meaning, with attention also to the biological, psychological, cultural, and social aspects of language and language use.
• English 304 (Generative Syntax).  This introduction to generative syntax investigates the structures and operations underlying sentences currently used by speakers of English.  The course focuses on one linguistic model, with attention given to linguistic theory, alternative models, and issues in syntax and semantics.
• Anthropology 411/English 404 (Historical Linguistics).  A study of the kinds of change which languages may undergo.  Covers the nature and motivation of linguistic evolution, and the methods by which unattested early stages of known languages may be reconstructued.
• Anthropology/English 418 (Language Patterns).  A survey of common patterns and constructions in language ranging from word order to case, agreement, voice, aspect, relative clauses, interrogation, and negation.  Major themes include the unity and diversity of language and the techniques used to measure it.
• Anthropology 412/English 405 (Descriptive Linguistics).  A study of contemporary methods of linguistic analysis, with emphasis on data drawn from a wide variety of languages;  in-depth analysis of a single language.  Language universals, language types, and field methods are discussed.
• English 464 (Topics in Linguistics:  Using Computers in Linguistics).  This one-credit course introduces students to basic uses of computers in language-related research.