Course details

8.3515

Language acquisition in multiple perspectives: from sounds to discourse

 S
SS 2023 Dr. phil. habil. Annette Hohenberger Hybrid
3h/wk
6 ECTS 		M.Sc modules:
CC-MWP-CL - Computational Linguistics
CS-MWP-CL - (Computational) Linguistics
CS-MWP-CNP - Cognitive (Neuro-)Psychology

CS-MW - Master elective course 		Wed: 9-12

Aim and scope of the course: This course aims at providing MSc students of Cognitive Science a broad overview over the acquisition of language at various levels of granularity: from sounds and intonation (phonology and prosody) over words (lexicon) to sentences (syntax) and discourse (pragmatics). In doing so it takes in a variety of theoretical perspectives on language acquisition: comparative, formal, psycho- and neuro-linguistic perspectives. These various approaches are competitive but also complementary, challenging a monolithic, theoretically exclusive view on the acquisition of language (levels). Various research methods pertaining to the different theoretical accounts – formal, behavioral and neuro-linguistic – will be introduced and explained. Students thus will be enabled to critically assess and judge the theoretically diverse literature, various methodologies and multiple approaches to form an integrated cognitive science view on the contemporary language acquisition research. Course requirement: Students will present single or joint papers on the various topics and write an essay or method paper. Weekly reading assignments will be given and their oral participation in the discussion in class will be assessed. Course prerequisite: Introduction to Cognitive (Neuro-)Psychology Teachers: The course will be taught by Dr. Annette Hohenberger. Other colleagues with expertise in specific areas of language acquisition will be asked to give guest-lectures.