Introduction

Introduction (7 hours)

Module overview

The goal of this module is for you to become familiar with what linguistics is about, including the purpose of linguistics and the fundamental assumptions about what language and grammar are. By the end of the module, hopefully you will be able to do the following things:

Explain what "grammar" is;
Explain the difference between descriptive and prescriptive ways of discussing grammar, and give examples of descriptive and prescriptive grammar rules;
Reject value judgments about different grammar systems;
Identify the major aspects of grammatical systems, corresponding subfields of linguistic study.

Module instructions

This module includes five tasks. For each task, you will need to read something and then answer some questions; some of these questions may require a long time to think about. These tasks are meant to be done in order (i.e., the intention is for you to not start one task until you have done the previous task; when this was taught via an LMS the later modules would be "locked" until the student completed the previous ones). To receive credit for completing this module, you must complete all the tasks at a satisfactory level of quality.

Next to each task I have written an estimate of how much time you might need to complete the task. This is, of course, a rough estimate, and the real time may be different for different students.

Introduction (7 hours)

Module overview

Module instructions

Module activities

Suggested discussion topics/activities