Linguistics

Sociolinguistics is a field of linguistics which examines the relationship between language and society, as they mutually influence each other. This course introduces basic concepts of sociolinguistics and explores both micro and macro sociolinguistic studies, reviewing various cases from the micro interpersonal interaction levels to the macro institutional and societal levels. The course covers language and power; thought and representation; ethnography of speaking; language and gender; language change; regional and social variation; multilingualism; language attitudes, as well as language policy and language planning issues in various social contexts from around the world. Although the course introduces concepts of both micro and macro sociolinguistics, it emphasizes language policy and language planning issues.

This course begins by looking at the historical background of English education in Japan up until today's discussions of the demands that globalization requires of Japanese learners and educators. While deepening understanding of the role of English as a language of international communication in the era of globalization, the course considers the linguistic content and teaching approaches suitable for Japanese education. The course also encourages students to reflect on their understanding of English education in Japan.

This course highlights the complexity of the interactions between information and communication technologies and the economic and social sphere, outlining some dynamics between digital technologies, different economic/business models and emerging sustainability needs. Students are invited to critically read, evaluate, and discuss events at the intersection of society, economy, and technology besides simplifications and techno-solutionism, developing an analytic competence. Topics include: systems and complexity; sustainability; shared resources management and regulation; technological neutrality; attitudes towards technology; surveillance capitalism in the communication ecosystem; privacy and democracy.

This course is designed for students who want to extend their knowledge of the range and diversity of English spoken in the world today. Students analyze and produce spoken language in different settings and genres by taking part in structured activities that examine the importance of audience, purpose and various communicative strategies. The examination of both global and local linguistic phenomena provides a context for participants to discuss diverse socio-cultural values and practices with others. Students have the opportunity to participate in practical workshops in which they are involved in activities such as discussions, role-plays and presentations. Assessment tasks include the research, recording and production of a collaborative video report and the live presentation of the research project in a seminar context. These tasks enable students to develop skills that support their ability to network effectively by enhancing their communication and interpersonal skills through designing and presenting group-generated project work in different media. There is also scope for community engagement and the integration of both local and international perspectives in the design and execution of the students' project work. 

This course focuses on applying linguistic theories to real-world contexts, examining the intricate connections between linguistic and non-linguistic phenomena. By analyzing these relationships at individual, societal, and global levels, students will explore how linguistic theories are utilized to understand and address complex issues, gaining insights into their practical relevance and broader impact. Students examine the evolution of language and linguistics, with emphasis on the processes of language development and decline. Students also apply a linguistic perspective to everyday contexts, including education, language policy, K-pop, and culture. 

This course explores the history, form, and function of writing systems from around the world: Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, Chinese pictograms, Ancient Greek and modern Japanese syllabaries, the vowelless alphabets of Hebrew/Arabic, the "fusional" alphabets of Sanskrit/Hindi, the "separational" alphabets of Modern Europe. Students also look at various attempts to create "perfect" writing systems, such as that of Korea and the IPA and its rivals. Through the course, students gain an understanding of the phonological/morphological demands that languages place on their writing systems and how this leads to innovation and development. The course also examines sociological aspects of different systems (particularly in relation to the spread of systems and the role of writing in language preservation/endangerment) and what writing reveals about the organization of the mind/brain.

This course introduces into the linguistic sub-discipline pragmatics. Students examine how meaning emerges in context, and how this contextual meaning can be distinguished from the literal meaning of a linguistic expression. The range of topics includes assertion, presupposition, implicature, and speech acts.

This course familiarizes students with basic conceptual frameworks that underpin the study of English language in use, which constitutes useful knowledge for their future teaching practice. The course explores the intricacies of English language practices in diverse regional, social, cultural, and interpersonal contexts, with emphasis on practical knowledge and skills acquisition that enables students to develop research designs, collect and analyze language data, and apply theoretical frameworks to their findings. Through student-led discussions, presentations, and mini research projects, the course deepens one's understanding of the complexities of English language use and its practical applications in language education. This course is recommended for the students who are considering a graduate thesis project in the field of English language studies, as well as those aspiring to become English language teachers. 
 

Language anxiety and linguistic insecurity are central topics in multilingual and transcultural contexts. In this seminar, students investigate the causes and effects of language anxiety, in language acquisition as well as in the day to day. The class looks at different forms of linguistic insecurity and language anxiety that are affected by social norms, language ideologies, and individual experiences. The goal of the seminar is to develop a critical understanding of this phenomenon and how to approach linguistic insecurity. The readiness to work with research literature in English is required. Students need to take this seminar alongside the lecture "Second Language Acquisition and Multilingualism".

This course offers a comprehensive overview of key questions that drive current discussions about the links between the brain, cognitive processes, and language while also examining language as a tool for expressing social cognition. Students will explore various topics within Psycholinguistics, focusing on language comprehension and production, and will analyze how language assists in interpreting cultural phenomena.