LING 1600
Introduction to Linguistics
Language is one of the fundamental capacities of the human species, and there are many interesting and meaningful ways in which it can be studied. This course explores the core components of linguistic theory: speech sounds (phonetics and phonology), word formation (morphology), sentence structure (syntax), and meaning (semantics). It also provides an overview of interdisciplinary ideas and research on how language is acquired and processed, its relation to the mind-brain and to society, and the question of whether the essential properties of language can be replicated outside the human mind (specifically, in chimpanzees or computer programs).
Instructors
Barros, Brett Hyde, Danis, Hollenbaugh, Hyde, Ian Hollenbaugh, Kristin Van Engen, Matthew Barros, Nicholas Danis, Van Engen
Reviews
2 or less hrs/week
Danis is great and I really enjoyed his lectures. He is funny in a kind of nerdy way, but I loved it. The content is very interesting and has made me heavily consider getting a minor in linguistics. This is an easy A class. There’s very minimal work, and most of the grade is based on the 4 take-home exams and various homework assignments throughout the semester that are not too bad. Sometimes the exam questions can be worded in a confusing way, but overall a great class.
12/27/2024
2-4 hrs/week
danis is funny in a dry way and the content is actually pretty fascinating. tests are take-home and open-note, but questions can be tricky sometimes.
7/7/2024
Barros is great! Linguistics can get a little boring, but Barros really does a good job at keeping students engaged and making it easy to participate in class. This class can be an easy A, and you can skate by without doing much and not paying attention in class, but if you stay engaged, it's an amazing and interesting course!
6/5/2024
From talking to my classmates, a lot of us adored Dr. Barros, but really struggled to stay engaged with the material. Linguistics is vry boring :( I would recommend taking this class only if its in 50 min sessions, bc its very hard to stay engaged. Barros is WONDERFUL tho, and rly goes out of is way to accommodate students needs.
5/28/2024
2-4 hrs/week
Kind of a lot of busy work. I took it bc ppl said it was an easy A, but it involved a lot more work than I expected...
5/22/2024
2 or less hrs/week
Van Engen is really great. Exams are easy but a lot of memorization and there are periodic quizzes. Lectures are long but interesting at times. Definitely a solid option for easy SS/HUM elective
5/21/2024
Prof Barros is fantastic, but I absolutely hated the class material. I found linguistics to be immensely dull and difficult. But the class was a fairly easy A. I do recommend showing up even if attendance is not mandatory, as he seemed really bummed near the end of the class when barely anyone showed up.
5/9/2024
Professor Barros loves his subject, and you can tell. Amazing guy, does his best to make lectures engaging. He covers both the standard concepts of linguistics and the societal implications, which is neat. Heads up: he vetoed attendance quizzes later on, so attendance may not be mandatory next sem, who knows. Overall awesome class.
5/3/2024
His lectures are interesting and he's a really funny person himself. The class is pretty easy and you just need to show up to lectures and understand the study guides to do well. I will say that you have to take quizzes in person and the other prof gave take-home quizzes.
12/19/2023
Lectures too fast for me to even keep up and there are no recordings. A bit disorganized and this was probably only this class but students would always talk over her in a know-it-all way and she wouldn't do much about it. Sort of specific, but I couldn't really pay attention in class after that. Super interesting material, but poor delivery imo.
8/17/2023
Professor Barros is amazing. He is me. I am him. \n\nJust seeing if this will work.
5/15/2023
Matt Barros is an amazing Linguistics professor and I would 1000% take his classes again just for his vibe. He's funny and relatable and teaches with great passion.
5/15/2023
Highly recommend taking a class with Barros -- I went into the class without any knowledge about the field of Linguistics and ended up really enjoying the class. A solid intro-level course covering the basics of Linguistics (analyzing language as a naturally occurring phenomenon). Low-stress, and you learn a lot about how cool language really is.
4/28/2023
Barros truly understands what an intro level class should be. 170D is designed for you to get an interesting look into the field of linguistics without worrying about getting anything lower than an A. He is kind, patient, and funny. He is a bit lecture heavy, but they are usually pretty insightful and interesting. Take a class with Barros!!
4/27/2023
Professor Barron truly cares about his students. He is very understanding and open to work with students. His lectures are fun and the textbook is a free download. If you're interested in linguistics or looking for a class to stretch your knowledge and thinking, take this class.
4/26/2023
Prof Van Engen delivered good lectures and explained the concepts clearly. There are no recorded lectures, so you have to go to class. There is a lot of content covered relatively quickly, but she gives you all of the tools to succeed.
4/20/2023
A truly great lecturer. Engaging, funny, and really open to student questions and curiosities. The homework relates to the class material well and is interesting. Easy to do well if you show up to class.
3/24/2023
Lectures were always engaging, concepts interesting and easy to understand. You should actually go to class, trying to self study from the textbook isn't nearly as intuitive. I recommend this class highly for anyone, even people who don't think they have any interest in linguistics -- I didn't think I had any and now I'm a linguistics minor.
3/12/2023
Honestly not a difficult class if you're willing to put in the work. The tests are a combination of the study guide (verbatim) and in-class material. Lectures weren't recorded, so going to class will save you on more than a few of the test sections. Hyde was a really cool, fun professor. He'll tell you exactly what to study for the tests.
1/17/2023
Overall great professor. I took this class to fulfill a requirement outside of my major and it was pretty much what I expected. I didn't find the material interesting, but it wasn't boring either. Sometimes, it'd be hard to stay awake during his lectures though. Study guides were easy and I didn't have to spend much time studying for the quizzes.
1/14/2023