The application of linguistics to the analysis of sociocultural variation in language. We will examine the way information about age, gender, social class, region, and ethnicity is conveyed by variations in the structural and semantic organization of language. We will also examine language attitude and language planning in multilingual societies.

Advances in computer technology have revolutionized the ways linguists can approach their data. By accessing large digital bodies of text (corpora) and searching for phenomena of interest, we can uncover complexities in naturally-occurring data and explore broader issues utilizing linguistic patterns and frequency information. This course presents a practical introduction to corpus linguistics, an extremely versatile methodology of language analysis using computers.

Some of the fundamental questions to explore include; what is a corpus, and what corpora exist? How are corpora constructed and linguistic annotation added? What tools are available for search, annotation, and analysis?  Students will also learn how corpora are used in diverse areas such as sociolinguistics, discourse analysis, child language acquisition, and language change as well as language learning and teaching and develop their own research ideas. Students who register for KOR 246 will be expected to do their coursework using Korean language texts. 

Topic for 2025-26: From Perceptrons to ChatGPT: How Computational Models Help Us Understand the Mind

Cognitive scientists have used mathematical and computational methods to understand human cognition since at least the 1940s. Similarly, the study of human neuroscience and cognition has influenced the development of artificial intelligence systems. Beginning in the early 2010s, massive increases in computational power and the accessibility of large databases have resulted in the rapid rise of human-like artificial intelligence systems, culminating in well-known public AI tools like ChatGPT. To what degree are these models a reflection of human intelligence, and can they help us understand human cognition? Are human-like cognitive biases also present in these models, and does this present ethical issues with their use? This course will cover the history of computational modeling in cognitive science, from early debates about modularity, interactivity, and the nature of representation; to the modern development of deep neural networks not only as practical systems, but as models of human cognition.

Designed to familiarize students with some of the essential concepts of linguistic analysis. Suitable problem sets in English and in other languages will provide opportunities to study the basic systems of language organization-phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics. Additional topics include introductions to language organization in the brain, child language acquisition, language change, and language in society.

What is a dialect and who speaks one? Why are some ways of speaking English stigmatized while others are barely noticed? This course explores the dialect diversity that exists in American English and unpacks stereotypes around use of non-standard dialects by showing their rich complexity and deep historical roots. While our case study focus will be on the second most spoken dialect of American English, African American English, we will also discuss dialects like Chicano English, Appalachian English, and others. Throughout the semester, we will examine the linguistic features and usage practices of these English varieties. We will also spend time discussing theories on the origins and development of African American English, its importance to linguistic theory, and its representation in American culture through engagement with the documentary series Talking Black in America.