Course title
科学特論Ⅲ   [Science: Special Lecture Ⅲ]
Course category common courses  Requirement   Credit 2 
Department   Year   Semester 3rd 
Course type 3rd  Course code 1060009
Instructor(s)
陳 奕廷   [CHEN I Ting]
Facility affiliation Faculty of Engineering Office afjgxte/L1151  Email address

Course description
This course introduces the field of Cognitive Linguistics, which studies the interaction between language and cognition, with a focus on Cognitive Semantics. From the phonological, morphological, semantic, syntactic, and typological perspectives, students will examine various topics like spatial cognition, conceptual metaphor, frame, animal communication, and Pokemon. This course seeks to develop the knowledge to answer the question of “what is linguistics?” and “what is language?”. Moreover, through group work, students will acquire communication skills to convey their ideas accurately by sharing knowledge and actively discussing with their peers.
Expected Learning
Course goals:
1) To acquire basic knowledge of Cognitive Linguistics.
2) To learn how to use tools (corpus, linguistic databases, etc.) for linguistic analysis and to be able to analyze familiar language phenomena logically.
Course schedule
Week 1 Introduction / What is language?
Week 2 Corpus Linguistics / The tools for linguistic analysis
Week 3 Semantics I / Prototype: Why a robin is more “bird-like” than a penguin?
Week 4 Semantics II / Frame Semantics I: What is the difference between “shore” and “coast”?
Week 5 Semantics III / Frame Semantics II: What is the meaning of "naku"?
Week 6 Semantics IV / Frame Semantics III: Let's explore FrameNet
Week 7 Semantics V / Metaphor and Metonymy: IDEAS ARE FOOD, ANGER IS FIRE, and LOVE IS WAR
Week 8 Phonetics / Sound symbolism: Considering the link between sound and meaning from Gojira and Pokemon
Week 9 Pragmatics / The theory of “Politeness Principle”and the principle of cooperation: Ironic language
Week 10 Syntax / Construction Grammar: Why does "Mary baked me a cake" has a meaning of giving?
Week 11 Morphology / Construction Morphology: How were "tapiru", "emoi" and "wakarimi" made?
Week 12 Typology / Space Cognition and Motion Expression: What if there are no words for left and right
Week 13 Animal Communication / Bird’s singing, whale song, and honey bee dance: Do animals have languages?
Week 14 Evolutionary Linguistics / What is the origin of language?
Week 15 Discussion and Summary
Prerequisites
Students are recommended to prepare for, and review, the classes using the textbook and the reference books, spending the standard amount of time as specified by the university for each class. Students must attend at least 2/3 of a course in order to receive credit for that course. If students do not fully attend the class for two times, it should be counted as one time of absence.
Required Text(s) and Materials
Handouts will be distributed in the class.
References
Matsumoto, Yo. (ed.) Cognitive Semantics. Tokyo: Taishukan Syoten.
Chen, Yiting and Yo Matsumoto. The Semantics and Organization of Japanese Lexical Compound Verbs: Construction Morphology and Frame Semantics. Tokyo: Hituzi Syobo.
Assessment/Grading
Grading will be based on quiz/assignment on basic knowledge of cognitive linguistics(50%) and term paper (50%) using tools for linguistic analysis.
Message from instructor(s)
Let's learn logical thinking by analyzing "language", which is the most familiar research subject to you.
Course keywords
Linguistics, Semantics, Cognitive Science
Office hours
Contact information will be provided at the first class meeting.
Remarks 1
Please check the classroom of this course for any changes to the syllabus due to the spread of COVID-19.
Remarks 2
Related URL
Lecture Language
Japanese
Language Subject
Last update
10/1/2020 10:41:58 AM