Бакалавриат
2025/2026
Введение в языкознание
Лучший по критерию «Новизна полученных знаний»
Статус:
Курс обязательный (Тексты, языки и цифровые инструменты)
Кто читает:
Департамент иностранных языков
Где читается:
Санкт-Петербургская школа гуманитарных наук и искусств
Когда читается:
1-й курс, 2-4 модуль
Охват аудитории:
для своего кампуса
Язык:
английский
Кредиты:
6
Course Syllabus
Abstract
The course in Introduction to Linguistics offers a comprehensive exploration of language as a complex system of communication. Designed for students with no prior background in linguistics, this course provides a robust foundation in the core principles of linguistic analysis. It is structured into three distinct yet interconnected parts, embracing various aspects of language studies.
The first section delivers a broad overview of the field, introducing key linguistic concepts. Students will learn about the diverse functions of language, its evolution, and its role in shaping culture and cognition. This section also explores the nature of linguistic data, methods of analysis, and the interdisciplinary nature of linguistics, touching upon its connections to psychology, sociology, anthropology, and computer science. The second part delves into lexicology, examining the structure and organization of the lexicon. Topics covered include word formation processes (affixation, compounding, derivation), semantic relations between words (synonymy, antonymy, hyponymy), and the impact of cultural and historical factors on vocabulary development. Students will gain practical skills in analyzing word meanings, identifying semantic fields, and understanding the dynamic nature of lexical change. This part will also discuss the quantitative corpus dimension to the lexical and grammatical landscape. The final section focuses on theoretical grammar, introducing different frameworks for describing and explaining the syntactic structure of sentences. Students will explore traditional grammar concepts, as well as more contemporary approaches. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the principles that govern sentence formation, analyzing grammatical relations, and identifying the underlying rules that govern linguistic competence. Through a combination of theoretical lectures, practical exercises, and data analysis, students will develop a critical understanding of language structure and its theoretical underpinnings. This course aims to equip students with the analytical tools necessary to further explore specific areas of linguistic study.
Learning Objectives
- Develop a foundational understanding of core linguistic concepts: Students will learn and be able to define and apply key terms and concepts across various subfields of linguistics, including phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics.
- Acquire analytical skills for linguistic data analysis: Students will gain practical skills in analyzing linguistic data, such as transcribing sounds, identifying morphemes, parsing sentences, and interpreting meaning in context.
- Understand the structure and organization of the lexicon: Students will be able to analyze word formation processes, identify semantic relationships between words, and understand the dynamic nature of vocabulary development.
- Explore theoretical approaches to grammar: Students will be introduced to different theoretical frameworks for analyzing syntax and will be able to apply them to describe sentence structure and grammatical relations.
- Recognize the interdisciplinary nature of linguistics: Students will understand the connections between linguistics and other disciplines, such as psychology, sociology, anthropology, computer science, and literature, and appreciate the role of language in shaping human thought and culture.
- Cultivate critical thinking about language: Students will be able to critically evaluate linguistic claims and theories, and to apply linguistic principles to analyze real-world language use.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- Define and apply core linguistic terminology.
- Analyze the morphological structure of words.
- Parse sentences using various syntactic frameworks.
- Explain the principles of semantic analysis.
- Analyze language use in context.
- Compare and contrast different linguistic theories.
- Conduct basic linguistic research.
- Demonstrate an awareness of linguistic diversity.
- Apply linguistic principles to real-world problems.
Course Contents
- 1. Linguistics: Introduction. Language as a System
- 2. Linguistic Genealogies
- 3. Phonetics and Phonology
- 4. Morphology & Syntax
- 5. Signs and Semiotics. Meaning
- 6. Speech and Speech Acts
- 7. Sociolinguistics
- 8. Introduction to Lexicology. The Word as a Unit
- 9. Historical Layers of Vocabulary: Native and Borrowed
- 10. Lexical meaning: essence and structure.
- 11. Polysemy: nature and development
- 12. Homonymy: types and boundaries of the phenomenon
- 13. Historical dynamics of meaning: change and loss of motivation
- 14. Systemic relations in the lexicon: synonymy and antonymy
- 15. Productive and Non-Productive Word-Formation Patterns
- 16. Phraseology and the role of context
- 17. The Corpus Revolution in Lexicology: From the Word to the Statistical Unit
- 18. Neural networks as "living corpora": lexicology in the AI era
- 19. Intro to Syntax
- 20. Phrase Structure
- 21. Sentence Structure
- 22. Sentence Types and Clause Types
- 23. Transformational Grammar
- 24. Alternative Approaches to Syntax
Assessment Elements
- Tests and quizzesDuring the course, students are given short written or oral tests based on lecture and seminar materials. The number and format of tests may vary throughout the course. The tasks may include open-ended questions, multiple-choice items, matching exercises, short definitions, or problem-solving questions based on linguistic data. Tests may be announced in advance or conducted without prior notice. All test marks are averaged to form the final grade for this course component. A missed test is marked 0 (zero), unless the student provides valid evidence of illness or another justified reason and receives the instructor’s permission to retake the test.
- Classroom participation and homeworkStudents are expected to attend all lectures and seminars, complete homework, and actively contribute to discussions. They should come to class prepared, having read or reviewed the assigned materials. During seminars, students are encouraged to engage with linguistic problems, analyse data, ask questions, and participate in collaborative tasks relevant to the corresponding topic.
- Exam Module 3 (Project)The Oral exam takes place during the exam session period scheduled by study offices. The Module 3 project serves as an integrative assessment of students’ knowledge and analytical skills in linguistics. The project may be completed individually or in groups of up to three students. It should demonstrate the student’s ability to apply linguistic theories and analytical methods to real language data. Projects can be theoretical, analytical, or applied in nature. Students are encouraged to use authentic linguistic material (texts, corpora, dictionaries, speech samples, etc.) to illustrate their findings.
- Exam Module 4The Oral exam takes place during the exam session period scheduled by study offices. It is conducted in English and assessed by the course instructor(s) or by the course commission board (see below). Each student receives two questions, where the first question corresponds to the theoretical material of the two modules (lectures) and the second question is based on the texts discussed at seminars. The questions are selected by the examiner. The student cannot ask for a different set of questions in exchange for a lower mark. The student may be required to answer additional questions on any theme studied throughout the course so that examiners could gain full insight into understanding of the material.
Interim Assessment
- 2025/2026 3rd module0.3 * Classroom participation and homework + 0.5 * Exam Module 3 (Project) + 0.2 * Tests and quizzes
- 2025/2026 4th module0.5 * Exam Module 4 + 0.3 * Classroom participation and homework + 0.2 * Tests and quizzes
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Herbst, T., & Walter de Gruyter & Co. (2010). English Linguistics : A Coursebook for Students of English. Berlin: De Gruyter Mouton. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=390973
- Rowe, B. M., & Levine, D. P. (2018). A Concise Introduction to Linguistics (Vol. Fifth edition). London: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1775794
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Discovering sociolinguistics: from theory to practice, Smakman, D., 2018
- Quantitative corpus linguistics with R: a practical introduction, Gries, S. T., 2011