Language as a Cognitive System LIN2704

Semester

Fall 2019

Description and Goals

What you know about language and how to use it when listening and speaking resides in your mind. Language is therefore part of human cognition. One important part of understanding language and human linguistic behavior is to understand how language interacts with other aspects of cognition: thought, perception, emotion and action. In this course will discuss recent insights in language and the mind. In this course will discuss recent insights in language and the mind from various disciplines including linguistics, cognitive psychology, neuroscience and computer science. The course consists of three units: (1) What is language?; (2) Can language affect thought?; (3) How did we get language (as a species and as a child). This course counts toward the Social and Behavioral Sciences requirement by exploring this relationship between mind and language, in other words covering the cognitive aspects of language. You will be introduced to key themes and terminology in cognitive science and linguistics through the reading and discussion of current scientific papers covering research on a number of central topics.

Syllabus