Course Syllabus

1. L INGUISTICS 115:
Language, Culture & Society
CSU Fresno
Fall 2012
Contact Information
Instructor: Chandra Shekar, Ph. D.
Place: Blackboard https://blackboard.fresnostate.edu
Instructor Office: IT 262
Office Hours: MWF 11:00am – 12:30pm/TTH 11:00am – 12:00pm/by appointment
Contact: Through e-mail: chandras@csufresno.edu (approx. 24 hour turnaround)
Linguistics Department Office: PB 559-278-2441
Contact Information ................................................................................................................................ 1
Required Texts: ....................................................................................................................................... 2
Prerequisites ........................................................................................................................................... 2
Learning Goals ......................................................................................................................................... 2
Description: ............................................................................................................................................. 2
General information: ............................................................................................................................... 2
Student Study Expectations: .................................................................................................................... 3
Grading: .................................................................................................................................................. 3
Writing Assignments:............................................................................................................................... 3
Examinations and Major Assignments: .................................................................................................... 4
Late Policy: .............................................................................................................................................. 4
Tentative Schedule: ................................................................................................................................. 4
Campus Learning Center:......................................................................................................................... 6
University Policies: .................................................................................................................................. 7
Students with Disabilities: ................................................................................................................ 7
Honor Code: .................................................................................................................................... 7
Cheating and Plagiarism:.................................................................................................................. 7
Computers: ...................................................................................................................................... 7
Disruptive Classroom Behavior: ....................................................................................................... 8
Copyright Policy: .............................................................................................................................. 8
Disclaimer: .............................................................................................................................................. 8
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2. Required Texts:
Ostler, Nicholas. Empires of the Word: a Language History of the World. (Kennel Bookstore)
Prerequisites :
G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area C
Learning Goals:
Studies the relationship between language, culture, and thought; cultural traditions and language
arts; cultural norms and interactional styles; language and the development of ethnic and national
identity; meanings of social variation in language; discourse styles; and social roles/relations.
G.E. Integration IC.
Description:
To familiarize you with the history of the major languages of the world and their social and
cultural contexts (3 units).
General information:
 This is an online course. You are expected to be familiar with the technology related to
online courses.
 You should have easy access to a computer, internet connection, university e-mail
account, familiarity with ‘Blackboard’ and compatible software (Windows XP, MS word
for word processing).
 Please do not type your documents using any other software (eg. word perfect) other than
MS word (pdf) software. If I cannot open your document for incompatibility reasons, I
won’t grade your papers.
 Incomplete assignments due to computer related problems are not accepted.
 Drop answers to reading questions using the ‘Assessment Manager’ by the due date.
 Remember that it is your responsibility to familiarize with the requirements for this
course, read the instructions, follow the syllabus, and complete all the requirements by
the end of the semester.
 During the first week of instruction, if you have any questions regarding the course, or
how to use the technology, please drop by during my office hours. I will help you. My
office hours are listed in the syllabus.
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3.  If you need any clarification related to reading material, send me an e-mail. I will try to
respond to your questions as soon as possible, usually within 24 hours or before.
Student Study Expectations:
It is usually expected that students will spend approximately 2 hours of study time outside of
class for every one hour in class. Since this is a 3-unit class, you should expect to study an
average of 6 hours outside of class each week. Some students may need more outside study time
and some less.
Grading:
Two Midterms 50 points (2x25)
Finals 50 points
Final Paper 30 points
Journal: 50 points (10 x 5)
One line ‘Chapter feedback’ on ‘WallShare’ 20 points (10 x 2)
Total 200 points
Final (Letter) Grade is calculated on the basis of the following traditional (%) grading scale.
A: 90 to 100
B: 80 to 89
C: 70 to79
D: 60 to 69
F: 59 and below
Writing Assignments:
Journal and the final paper will satisfy the 2000 words of writing required of GE classes. You are
required to write 5 journal summaries of 200 words each (1000 words). Your final paper should
have 1000 words. You’ll be given topics ahead of time; and these topics will cover issues in the
assigned reading. Final paper topic will be posted on BB. Failure to complete the written
requirement means that you cannot count Ling 115 as a GE course.
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4. ** Guidelines for the writing assignment.
The grading of the writing assignments will be based on (1) the quality of the content, (2) the
organization of the content, (3) the accuracy in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Grading
rubric will be posted on BB.
For more information on writing guidelines go to: http://www.owl.english.purdue.edu/
Examinations and Major Assignments:
Exams will be given online in Blackboard. It is not recommended to access and take tests/quizzes
through the Blackboard Mobile Learn app.
All assignments will be submitted in Blackboard through the Assignment links provided.
Late Policy:
No make-up essays or exams will be given except on documented medical, psychological or
legal grounds. If you can’t document it, I can’t excuse it.
Tentative Schedule:
Week Date Topic Reading and Homework
Assignment
1 Tue, Aug 21 Meet ‘ face-to-face’ on campus. Bring your laptop to class.
Review the syllabus;
Time: 12:30 – Introduction to online course; Syllabus
review Go over BB navigation
2:00 p.m.
BB navigation: TILT administrator’s
Room: PB presentation – How to navigate BB;
191 software download etc.
2 Mon, Aug 27 pp. 5 – 18:
PART I: The Nature of Language
History Post journal entry, and one
line ‘chapter feedback’.
3 Mon. Sept 3 PART II: Languages By Land: The pp. 27-38:
Desert Blooms: Language Innovations Post journal entry, and one
in the Middle East line ‘chapter feedback’.
4 Mon. Sept. 10 Sumerian – the first classical language: pp. 49 – 58:
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5. Week Date Topic Reading and Homework
Assignment
Life after death. Post journal entry, and one
line ‘chapter feedback’
5 Mon. Sept. 17 pp. 58-68:
Akkadian – world-beating technology:
A model of literacy. Post journal entry, and one
line ‘chapter feedback’
6 Mon. Sept 24 pp. 68 – 104:
Phoenician, Aramaic, and Arabic. Post journal entry, and one
line ‘chapter feedback’
7 Mon. Oct 1 First Midterm pp. 105 – 134:
Third Interlude: Turkic and Persian, Post journal entry, and one
outriders of Islam. line ‘chapter feedback’
8 Mon. Oct 8 pp. 134 - 173:
Language from Huang-he to Yangtze. Post journal entry, and one
line ‘chapter feedback’
9 Mon. Oct 15 pp. 174 - 226:
Charming Like a Creeper: The
Cultured Career of Sanskrit. Post journal entry, and one
line ‘chapter feedback’
10 Mon. Oct 22 pp. . 227 - 271:
Three Thousand Years of Solipsism:
The Adventures of Greek. Post journal entry, and one
line ‘chapter feedback’
11 Mon. Oct 29 pp. 272 - 321:
Contesting Europe: Celt, Roman,
German and Slav. Post journal entry, and one
line ‘chapter feedback’
12 Mon. Nov 4 Second Midterm: pp. 325-379:
PART III: Languages By Sea: The Post journal entry, and one
Second Death of Latin. line ‘chapter feedback’
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6. Week Date Topic Reading and Homework
Assignment
13 Mon. Nov 12 pp. 380-455:
In the Train of Empire: Europe’s
Languages Abroad. Post journal entry, and one
line ‘chapter feedback’
14 Mon. Nov 19 pp. 456-521:
Microcosm or Distorting Mirror? The
Career of English. Post journal entry, and one
line ‘chapter feedback’
15 Thu. Nov 22 HOLIDAY – Thanksgiving No Reading Assignment
16 Mon. Nov 26 pp. 525-559:
The Current Top Twenty Post journal entry, and one
line ‘chapter feedback’
17 Mon. Dec 3 Final Paper Due:
18 Mon Dec 10 Last Day of Instruction: Meet face-to- Place and Time of meeting
face on campus will be posted on BB.
Fall 2012
Finals week Days Dates
Final Exam Preparation & Faculty Consultation Days: Thursday and Friday Dec 13-14
Final Exam in this course Final Exam: Mon-Thur Dec 17-20
*Unless specified, homework assignments are due by following Monday midnight.
Campus Learning Center:
The Learning Center endeavors to promote student self-responsibility, learning effectiveness,
and academic success. To this end, the LC provides a variety of learning assistance including
drop-in tutoring, academic success workshops, and study space. The LC is located in the Peters
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7. Building Annex and is open 8am-5pm Monday through Friday. For more information about
services, visit the LC webpage (jtannen@csufresno.edu) on the campus website or call 278-3052.
University Policies:
Students with Disabilities:
Upon identifying themselves to the instructor and the university, students with disabilities will
receive reasonable accommodation for learning and evaluation. For more information, contact
Services to Students with Disabilities in the Henry Madden Library, Room 1202 (278-2811).
Honor Code:
“Members of the CSU Fresno academic community adhere to principles of academic integrity
and mutual respect while engaged in university work and related activities.” You should:
a) understand or seek clarification about expectations for academic integrity in this course
(including no cheating, plagiarism and inappropriate collaboration)
b) neither give nor receive unauthorized aid on examinations or other course work that is
used by the instructor as the basis of grading.
c) take responsibility to monitor academic dishonesty in any form and to report it to the
instructor or other appropriate official for action.
Cheating and Plagiarism:
"Cheating is the actual or attempted practice of fraudulent or deceptive acts for the purpose of
improving one's grade or obtaining course credit; such acts also include assisting another student
to do so. Typically, such acts occur in relation to examinations. However, it is the intent of this
definition that the term 'cheating' not be limited to examination situations only, but that it include
any and all actions by a student that are intended to gain an unearned academic advantage by
fraudulent or deceptive means. Plagiarism is a specific form of cheating which consists of the
misuse of the published and/or unpublished works of others by misrepresenting the material (i.e.,
their intellectual property) so used as one's own work." Penalties for cheating and plagiarism
range from a 0 or F on a particular assignment, through an F for the course, to expulsion from the
university. For more information on the University's policy regarding cheating and plagiarism,
refer to the Class Schedule (Legal Notices on Cheating and Plagiarism) or the University Catalog
(Policies and Regulations).
Computers:
"At California State University, Fresno, computers and communications links to remote
resources are recognized as being integral to the education and research experience. Every
student is required to have his/her own computer or have other personal access to a workstation
(including a modem and a printer) with all the recommended software. The minimum and
recommended standards for the workstations and software, which may vary by academic major,
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8. are updated periodically and are available from Technology Services
(https://help.fresnostate.edu) or the University Bookstore. In the curriculum and class
assignments, students are presumed to have 24-hour access to a computer workstation and the
necessary communication links to the University's information resources."
Disruptive Classroom Behavior:
"The classroom is a special environment in which students and faculty come together to promote
learning and growth. It is essential to this learning environment that respect for the rights of
others seeking to learn, respect for the professionalism of the instructor, and the general goals of
academic freedom are maintained. ... Differences of viewpoint or concerns should be expressed
in terms which are supportive of the learning process, creating an environment in which students
and faculty may learn to reason with clarity and compassion, to share of themselves without
losing their identities, and to develop and understanding of the community in which they live . . .
Student conduct which disrupts the learning process shall not be tolerated and may lead to
disciplinary action and/or removal from class."
Copyright Policy:
Copyright laws and fair use policies protect the rights of those who have produced the material.
The copy in this course has been provided for private study, scholarship, or research. Other uses
may require permission from the copyright holder. The user of this work is responsible for
adhering to copyright law of the U.S. (Title 17, U.S. Code). To help you familiarize yourself
with copyright and fair use policies, the University encourages you to visit its Copyright Web
Page (http://csufresno.edu/library/information/copyright/).
Technology Innovations for Learning & Teaching (TILT) course web sites contain material
protected by copyrights held by the instructor, other individuals or institutions. Such material is
used for educational purposes in accord with copyright law and/or with permission given by the
owners of the original material. You may download one copy of the materials on any single
computer for non-commercial, personal, or educational purposes only, provided that you (1) do
not modify it, (2) use it only for the duration of this course, and (3) include both this notice and
any copyright notice originally included with the material. Beyond this use, no material from
the course web site may be copied, reproduced, re-published, uploaded, posted, transmitted, or
distributed in any way without the permission of the original copyright holder. The instructor
assumes no responsibility for individuals who improperly use copyrighted material placed on the
web site.
Disclaimer:
This syllabus and schedule are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances.
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