Department of Spanish and Portuguese

Note: Graduate students only.

DEVELOPING RESEARCH IN SPANISH SOCIOLINGUISTICS

1. Course description:

This class is an advanced research-oriented course in language variation and change focusing on the application of usage-based theory in the study of Hispanic Sociolinguistics. The class also includes a component on perceptual studies in Sociolinguistics. Students will develop a research paper that will address a current issue of sociolinguistic variation using the theoretical approaches reviewed, with the topic depending on the student’s interests. Theoretical discussion and practical exercises will be incorporated during the semester with the purpose of encouraging critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Class time will be divided between lecturing, class discussion, and research project discussions.

2. Prerequisite:  S513 or equivalent
   
   
3. Goals:

After successful completion of this course, the student will:

• Refine their understanding of variationist analysis using usage-based linguistics
• Understand recent developments in the study of Hispanic Linguistics
• Be able to understand recent experimental approaches and their theoretical implications
• Design a research paper applying appropriate research design, hypotheses based on the theoretical frameworks reviewed in class, and employing statistical analysis to test those hypotheses
• Comprehend the role of social factors in the study of sociolinguistic phenomena
• Understand recent studies on speech perception and attitudes
• Be able to write a formal abstract
• Write paper in a professional fashion and present their research

HISP-S 612     #28690      2:20P-3:35P   TR      BH 012      Prof. Manuel Diaz-Campos