P

Sem

PI
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UI

University of Zenica
Faculty of Philosophy
Department of English Language and Literature

INTRODUCTION TO LINGUISTICS
- SYLLABUS Year: I
Hours per week: 2P+2V
ECTS credits:

Semester: I
Total number of classes per semester: 60

Status: Mandatory

P predavanja/seminar, V vjebe, Sem seminarski rad, projekti/portfolio/zadae..., K

konsultacije, PI pismeni ispit, UI usmeni ispit

Instructor: Dr. Edina Rizvi-Eminovi

E-mail: edina.rizvic@gmail.com
Office hours: Wed 11:30-12:30
Course Description and Objectives:
Introduction to Linguistics is an introductory course in the study of language. You already know a lot about
language: you learned your native language effortlessly by the time you were five or six years old, and now
you use your language constantly to have conversations with your friends and family, read and send emails,
chat, send text messages, watch movies, study your coursework. You are already an expert in language use.
However, your knowledge about your own language is probably unconscious.
This class will give you a more conscious awareness of aspects of language that you normally take for
granted. You will learn the basics of linguistic analysis in the sound system of English (phonetics and
phonology), word formation (morphology), and grammatical patterns (syntax). You will also have an
opportunity to explore such interesting issues as regional variations in language, social variation, language
acquisition, and classification of languages.
The class should
help you examine your own ideas and attitudes toward language and language use
familiarize you with some of the techniques used for linguistic analysis
make you aware of the diversity of language systems and characteristics shared by all languages
deepen your understanding of the English, your own, and other languages in general.
Textbook: OGrady, W. et al. (1996): Contemporary Linguistics: An Introduction, Copp Clark Pitman
Ltd, UK (selected chapters)
Course Policies:
The subject matter of the course will be new and challenging. Studying the reading before the lecture will
help you understand the concepts. Your attendance is required together with active participation with
classmates, the instructor, and the teaching assistant. Missing more than three classes will result in your
ineligibility for the instructors signature at the end of the semester. Consequently, you will not be able to
take the final test on any of the final test dates in the current academic year. If some personal emergency
occurs that will result in your being absent from class, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can
make other arrangements. If you know you will miss a class, please arrange to do your assignments in
advance, get class notes from your classmates and check the course materials for the next class
assignments. If you are late more than 5 minutes to class, you will be counted absent. Please turn off your
cell phones. Texting during class will result in counting you as absent for that day.
Grading and Evaluation
In-class test and activities/assignments - 20%
Final exam - 80%
1

We dont give make ups for missed tests or exams, except in emergency situations, which requires a
special, written justification. If you are having trouble understanding the material, please ask for extra help.
We are here to help you.
Academic Honesty
Plagiarism is a serious legal and ethical breach, and it is treated as such by the university. A plagiarized
assignment or test answer will result in a failing grade for the assignment or test.
The instructors schedule
This schedule is subject to minor modifications and revisions depending on the needs of the class.

Wee
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1

Date

Topic

6 Oct

Language: a preview

Activities and
assignments
Read pp. 1-15
Read pp. 18-35

13 Oct

Phonetics: the sounds of language

Read pp. 35-57

20 Oct

Phonetics: the sounds of language

(continued)

Read pp. 68-79

27 Oct

Phonology: the function and

patterning of sounds

Read pp. 83-95

3 Nov

Phonology: the function and

patterning of sounds (continued)

Read pp. 132-144

10 Nov

Morphology: the analysis of word

structure

Read pp. 144-164

17 Nov

Syntax: the analysis of word structure

Read pp. 181-202

24 Nov

Syntax: the analysis of word structure

Read pp. 268-304

1 Dec

Semantics: the analysis of meaning

Read pp. 372-410

10

8 Dec

The classification of languages

Read pp. 464-496

11

15 Dec

Language Acquisition

Read pp. 503-534

12

22 Dec

Second Language Acquisition

Read pp. 540-585

13

29 Dec

Language in Social Context

14

5 Jan

Revision

15

12 Jan

In-class test (20%)

A final note
Because of the complex nature of the course, every question or comment matters. Please bring your
questions and ideas to class. Do not hesitate to use our office hours whenever you have a question, and you
can also contact us for an appointment by e-mail.