This course surveys the major areas in linguistics and attempts to answer two questions: What is language? How can language be studied scientifically? To address these issues the course will introduce basic concepts and analytic tools for describing and explaining the nature and structure of language. Major topics may include properties of language, human language and other communication systems, brain and language processing, spoken and sign language, writing systems, language families, etc. The course will also raise the students’ awareness and understanding of language use.

CILO-1: Describe what constitutes a language and how a language functions. CILO-2: Recognize the different levels at which language can be investigated (particularly in terms of word formation). CILO-3: Discuss the possible interaction between culture and language. CILO-4: Summarize and evaluate the historical development of writing systems. CILO-5: Evaluate the popular (mis)beliefs and attitudes about language and language use.