Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2021 - LING 811 G100

Topics in Linguistics II (3)

Neurolinguistics

Class Number: 5195

Delivery Method: Remote

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jun 29 – Aug 9, 2021: Mon, Wed, 2:30–3:50 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

In-depth treatment of a selected area of Linguistics. Specific topics will vary from offering to offering.

COURSE DETAILS:

This is a Summer Session course: Tuesday, June 29 - Monday, August 9, 2021.

This course examines language as a system of the human brain. Students will master basic neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of language-related systems in the brain in the first weeks of the course, and also study cognitive neuroscience methods used to study the brain. In subsequent weeks, research studies are surveyed with the broader goal of understanding how the brain processes language. Examples applications for this knowledge are also discussed, including how the brain develops in infancy, how language faculties recovers from brain damage (aphasia), how the brain ‘reads’ orthographic systems, and how neuroscientific design principles could be used to create tools that extract and interpret phonological, semantic, and syntactic information from brain activation.

MODE OF DELIVERY: Blended / Asynchronous. 2-3 hours per week of live interaction - optional, as these will be recorded for students who cannot meet in this time zone.

DAYS AND TIMES OF LIVE ONLINE INTERACTION: Mon/Wed 2:30pm-4pm PST.

TEACHING MODULES: ~1hr recorded lecture with slides, two 10-page readings, one quiz.

MODE OF MAJOR EXAMS: Exams on Canvas.

Grading

  • Quizzes / Exams 40%
  • Final Written Project (2% group) 60%

NOTES:

No final Exam.

It is strongly recommended that you see the Student Advisor regarding your degree requirements at least two semesters before you plan to graduate. Unless you meet both faculty and major/minor requirements, your graduation cannot be approved.

All seats are reserved for students in an approved Linguistics or Cognitive Science program as follows: 75% for Majors and 25% for Extended Minor, Certificate in the Linguistics of Speech Science, and Post-Baccalaureate (LING) Diploma students. This reserve remains in effect until March 28, 2021. After this date, any unfilled reserved spaces will become available to any approved LING/COGS program student meeting the prerequisite(s).

This course has an auto waitlist until the end of the first week of classes, students will be added in priority order. The Department will remove non-program students on the waitlist without any notification during the initial 3 week registration release.

REQUIREMENTS:

PLATFORMS USED: Canvas, Zoom, etc.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Required readings will be available for download from the course website.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Banich, M.T. and Mack, M. (2003). Mind, Brain, and Language: Multidisciplinary Perspectives. Lawrence Erlbaum Assoc. Inc. (Paperback).
ISBN: 0805833285

Stemmer, B. and Whitaker, H.A. (2010). Handbook of the Neuroscience of Language. Academic Press.
ISBN: 008045352X

Department Graduate Notes:

Students should familiarize themselves with the Department's Standards on Class Management and Student Responsibilities.

Please note that a grade of “FD” (Failed-Dishonesty) may be assigned as a penalty for academic dishonesty.

All student requests for accommodations for their religious practices must be made in writing by the end of the first week of classes or no later than one week after a student adds a course.

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN SUMMER 2021

Teaching at SFU in summer 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods, but we will continue to have in-person experiential activities for a selection of courses.  Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).