Cognitive Science 0322 - The Klamath Language

This course is an intensive investigation of the linguistic structure of an unfamiliar and little-studied language - Klamath (maqlaqsyalank), once spoken by thousands of people in southern Oregon and now effectively extinct. A linguistic "isolate" (not obviously related to other languages), Klamath offers an important perspective on the hypothesis that there are universal, species-general properties of linguistic capacity. We'll be paying special attention to Klamath phonology and morphology (along with syntactic and semantic issues) , utilizing recorded data collected by the instructor in the field, as well as reading what there is of scientific literature focused on the language. In addition, we will look at Klamath from the standpoint of thinking about the impact of "language death" and social and cultural dimensions of the growing diminution of linguistic diversity. Coursework will include hands-on analyses of available data as well as a sustained final paper on a topic of the student's choosing. Prerequisite detail: Prior coursework in linguistics

Writing and Research Quantitative Skills Multiple Cultural Perspectives In this course, students are expected to spend at least six to eight hours a week of preparation and work outside of class time. This time includes reading, writing, research.