FIRST SEMESTER COURSES
LIN 501: Language and Linguistics 3 Credits
The course seeks to examine the nature and form of human language compared with animal communication. It also explains what linguistics is all about and introduces the students to different areas and branches of linguistics: phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, historical/comparative linguistics and applied linguistics.
LIN 531: Introduction to Phonetics and Phonology 3 Credits
An introduction to the study of speech sound which focuses on the articulatory and acoustic features of speech sounds. It involves practice in recognition, reproduction and transcription of speech sounds. The non-segmental features of speech such as tone, intonation and stress are also introduced. The second part of the course introduces the student to phonology which focuses on the principles of establishing phonemes , it includes the basic tenets and analysis based on the phonetic theory within the generative framework.
LIN 523: Introduction to Morphology 3 Credits
Principles of morphemic analysis. A detailed discussion of the various morphological processes in language and the interplay between such processes in the formation of complex word using copious examples. Morphology in relation to other levels of linguistic analysis.
LIN 521: Introduction to Syntax 3 Credits
An introduction to the analysis of sentence (as a unit of linguistic description) into parts and grammatical descriptions of these parts. The course also introduces the basic assumptions of the transformational generative framework for syntactic analysis.
LIN 551: Introduction to Sociolinguistics 3 Credits
The scope of sociolinguistics; the social context of speech; bilingualism; diglossia; code-switching and code-mixing; language and social class; language and ethnicity; principles of language choice; language maintenance and shift processes; language and social change
LIN 541: Semantics 3 Credits
Different approaches to the problems represented by semantics in linguistics. Some basic concepts in a discussion of word meaning; synonymy, polysemy, antonymy, ambiguity and vagueness. Sentence meaning which will involve basic concepts such as presupposition, entailment/implication, tautology, etc. The basis for the distinction between semantics and pragmatics shall also be discussed.
LIN 571: Historical/ Comparative Linguistics 3 Credits
This course provides a general introduction to the subject of language classification, touching upon such matters as language change, reconstruction, classification and different methods used in historical/comparative linguistic analysis. These are applied in the classification of African languages.
LIN 533: Writing and Orthography 3 Credits
A brief introduction to different writing systems used or still in use in different parts of the world. A discussion of the basic principles on which a good orthography is based. Practical training in designing orthography for an unwritten language.
LIN 591: Error/Contrastive Analysis 3 Credits
Introduction to the principles, goals and practice of contrastive/error analysis. This course has two parts: the theoretical part and the practical part. The theoretical part introduces the students to the classification of languages by criterion of function. It further introduces the students to the theoretical basis of language comparison and the principles and goals of error and contrastive analysis. The practical part provides the students with the opportunity to apply the principles of error and contrastive analysis to the English language and a Nigerian language.
LIN 561: Survey of Applied Linguistics 3 Credits
This is a survey of how, when and where linguistic knowledge can be applied to practical uses such as language teaching, standardization, translation, orthography design, dictionary writing, etc.
SECOND SEMESTER COURSES
LIN 532: Phonology 3 Credits
The theory of distinctive features and the main concepts of generative phonology. Particular attention is given to the treatment of general phonological processes within the generative framework. It ends with an introduction to non-linear phonology (autosegmental phonology) and some of the recent phonological theories
LIN 524: Syntax 3 Credits
A survey of aspects of generative grammar. Treatment of topics of relevance within the TGG framework. Such topics include; complementation, case-marking, theta-marking, movement transformations, relativisation, etc.
LIN 592: Psycholinguistics 3 Credits
The course examines the various approaches to the study of language acquisition and language behaviour. In particular, the positions of theorists such as Piaget, Stern, Vygotsky and Skinner will be examined. Also to be examined are the linguistic approach, learning theory approach and the information theory approach to language behaviour. Language and cognition; the Whorfian hypothesis and other related matters.
LIN 552: Topics in Sociolinguistics 3 Credits
A continuation of LIN 551. Language and society- a study of the differential social roles of languages in a multilingual society, language planning and standardization, language policies, language in education.
LIN 566: Lexicography 3 Credits
A general introduction to the art of dictionary writing, phonemic transcription, lexical entries, definitions, frequency and rank, cross references, lexical and semantic fields. Types and classification of dictionaries, encyclopedias and glossaries
LIN 564: Language Teaching and Learning 3 Credits
The focus will be on second language learning and teaching or on mother-tongue teaching. Theories of language acquisition; the psychology of language teaching and learning; second language learning; error analysis, contrastive analysis, inter language, models of learning a second language, course design and syllabus planning; evolution of language teaching materials and programmes.
LIN 554: Dialectology of an African Language 3 Credits
The history of the study of dialectology; dialectology and related fields; types; techniques and methods of dialectology. Designs or uses of dialect atlases. An overview of the modern dialects of a chosen language; major isoglosses and dialect areas; the standard variety. Application of findings of dialectology. Students will design and carry out a small-scale dialect survey.
LIN 522: Grammar of an African Language 3 Credits
A study of the grammar of an African Language, with focus on topics of general typological interest, word classes, grammatical categories associated with nouns and verbs e.g. gender, modality, sentence types including verb serialization, relative clauses, causative constructions, word order (phrasal and sentential; basic and derived). Students will be required to apply the knowledge gained in the course to the description of particular grammatical phenomena in languages of their special interest.
LIN 562: Translation 3 Credits
Linguistic theories of translation; translation and interpretation; concept formation and technical translation
LIN 584: Project 6 Credits
An original written presentation to be defended before the Departmental Board of Examiners. Credit is given for originality, presentation, and use of previous literature in the area.