- Instructor: Shota Momma (Negishi): snegishi@umass.edu
- Location: ILC N458
- Time: MW 10:00- 12:05
- Office hours: after each class and by appointment
Course overview
This course is an introductory-level course in psycholinguistics. We will investigate linguistic computation in language perception and production, in the context of broader debates in cognitive science, such as the role of abstraction, categorization, and probability, and the various architectural properties of information processing systems (modularity vs. interactivity, structure sensitivity, serial vs. parallel computation, etc.). We will examine these issues applied to language use in diverse contexts, from speech perception to the understanding of language in discourse. We will pay particular attention to how these issues interface with topics in other areas of linguistic theory, and broad perspectives on the relationship between mental grammar and real-time language processing and production.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the foundational issues that have shaped the fields of linguistics and psycholinguistics.
- Develop familiarity with current research and key findings in psycholinguistics.
- Acquire the quantitative skills necessary to critically evaluate psycholinguistic studies.
- Gain proficiency in the experimental methodologies commonly used in psycholinguistic research.
Requirements
- Attendance (10%): Attend biweekly class meetings, having read the required reading (see the schedule below). Contribute to the discussion board.
- Presentations (10%): You are expected to present one paper of your choice. You are also expected to give a presentation on your final project.
- Homework (30%): Details will be communicated in class, but you are expected to complete problem sets/exercises that help you understand the topics in psycholing deeper.
- Final project (50%): Write an APA-style literature review, a theoretical paper, or an experimental proposal as your final paper (10-15 pages, double-spaced).
Schedule
Attendance policy
Students are expected to attend each lecture having read the assigned readings.
Grading scale
A 93-100
A- 90-92
B+ 87-89
B 83-86
B- 80-82
C+ 77-79
C 73-76
F 0-72
Academic honesty statement
Since the integrity of the academic enterprise of any institution of higher education requires honesty in scholarship and research, academic honesty is required of all students at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Academic dishonesty is prohibited in all programs of the University. Academic dishonesty includes but is not limited to: cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, and facilitating dishonesty. Appropriate sanctions may be imposed on any student who has committed an act of academic dishonesty. Instructors should take reasonable steps to address academic misconduct. Any person who has reason to believe that a student has committed academic dishonesty should bring such information to the attention of the appropriate course instructor as soon as possible. Instances of academic dishonesty not related to a specific course should be brought to the attention of the appropriate department Head or Chair. Since students are expected to be familiar with this policy and the commonly accepted standards of academic integrity, ignorance of such standards is not normally sufficient evidence of lack of intent (http://www.umass.edu/dean_students/codeofconduct/acadhonesty/).
Accomodation statement
The University of Massachusetts Amherst is committed to providing an equal educational opportunity for all students. If you have a documented physical, psychological, or learning disability on file with Disability Services (DS), you may be eligible for reasonable academic accommodations to help you succeed in this course. If you have a documented disability that requires an accommodation, please notify me within the first two weeks of the semester so that we may make appropriate arrangements. For more information, consult the Disability Services website at http://www.umass.edu/disability/.
Title IX statement
In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 that prohibits gender-based discrimination in educational settings that receive federal funds, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is committed to providing a safe learning environment for all students, free from all forms of discrimination, including sexual assault, sexual harassment, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and retaliation. This includes interactions in person or online through digital platforms and social media. Title IX also protects against discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, miscarriage, abortion, or related conditions, including recovery. There are resources here on campus to support you. A summary of the available Title IX resources (confidential and non-confidential) can be found at the following link: https://www.umass.edu/titleix/resources. You do not need to make a formal report to access them. If you need immediate support, you are not alone. Free and confidential support is available 24 hours a day / 7 days a week / 365 days a year at the SASA Hotline 413-545-0800.