UGA Bulletin

Course Description

Examination of the connection between language, race, and ethnicity in the United States. Study of the origins of current ethnolects in the United States, linguistic ideologies that shape attitudes towards them, and structural factors that affect their current patterns and possible future change.

Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students will be expected to complete additional readings and a more in-depth final project at the end of the course. Each graduate student will also be expected to give an in-class presentation on an article related to the course material.

Athena Title

Language Race Ethnicity in US

Prerequisite

LING 3060 or LING 3150 or LING 3150W or LING 3250

Grading System

A - F (Traditional)

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to describe the differences between race and ethnicity, and how they both relate to language.
Students will be able to understand how ethnolects form and change over time.
Students will be able to analyze the patterned variation in African American Language (AAL) and other ethnolects.
Students will be able to interpret the connection between language and social factors, like identity, place, or class.
Students will be able to use language as an interpretive frame for understanding cultural and social difference.
Students will be able to apply concepts from the course to real-world issues of race or ethnicity.

Topical Outline

1. Defining race and ethnicity
2. Origin and formation of ethnolects
3. Structures of African American Language (AAL)
4. Latinx Englishes
5. Identity and language use
6. Code-switching and language maintenance
7. Style and repertoire
8. Performance and representation
9. Linguistic profiling
10. Education and policy

Institutional Competencies

Analytical Thinking

The ability to reason, interpret, analyze, and solve problems from a wide array of authentic contexts.

Critical Thinking

The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.

Social Awareness & Responsibility

The capacity to understand the interdependence of people, communities, and self in a global society.

Syllabus

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Language, Race, and Ethnicity in the U.S.