Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - LING 380 D100

STT-Practical Skills in Linguistics (1)

Class Number: 1414

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Wed, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Training in a single linguistics-related practical skills topic in each offering. This course may be repeated twice for credit when taught under different topics. Graded on a pass/fail basis.

COURSE DETAILS:

Training in a single linguistics-related practical skills topic in each offering. This course can be repeated twice for credit if the topic is different. Graded on a pass/fail basis.

 

The course introduces basic concepts and tools for text analysis using the python programming language. It will address data capture and manipulation, data cleaning and preprocessing, and text analysis for linguistics and other social sciences. Topics include:

  • Introduction to python
  • Ethical acquisition and management of data
  • Data cleaning and preprocessing
  • Regular expressions, n-grams
  • NLTK and spaCy
  • Named entity recognition
  • Pandas and data processing
  • Basics of machine learning
  • Natural language processing: sentiment analysis
  • Humanities: authorship attribution, style comparison
  • Social sciences: quote extraction, processing survey answers, topic modelling

 

At the end of the course, students will have learnt the basic aspects of python programming. They will understand how to process language data for various analyses.

More specifically, students will:

  • learn core concepts of programming (variables, functions, objects);
  • learn to install and use packages for text analysis (NLTK, spaCy);
  • be able to collect and store a dataset using existing python packages;
  • clean and normalize language data;
  • perform natural language processing analysis on language data, for linguistic analysis and for other humanities and social sciences.

COURSE DELIVERY: In person. There will be an in-person, 50 minute class every week, with a mix of lecture and programming practice. Students are expected to spend about an additional hour per week completing weekly labs and other course assignments.

Grading

NOTES:

COURSE GRADING:

Note this course is a pass/fail course. A pass grade will be awarded if the student:

  • participates in class activities
  • completes weekly online discussions
  • completes weekly programming labs
  • submits assignments that follow the guidelines

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

PLATFORM(S) USED: Canvas

TECHNOLOGY REQUIRED: Computer for checking Canvas and doing class assignments and projects. Computer capable of running python and where new software can be installed.

 

REQUIRED READING:

There is no textbook. Readings will be available on Canvas. Students should be able to install a python programming environment on their device.


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate 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.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.