PSYCHOLOGY 290    Section: 2

SEMINAR

Winter Quarter 2012

Units: 4
Prerequisites: Graduate standing or consent of instructor. See instructor for CRN.
Course Description: The goal of this seminar is to familiarize you with the research and theories addressing a fundamental scientific question: How do humans learn language? We will read many recent papers, as well as some classic ones, that investigate how children learn about the sounds, meanings, and syntactic structures of their native language. The focus will be on mechanism—not simply what kids learn at a given age, but how kids learn. Most readings will address the acquisition of a first language in infancy and childhood, but we will also examine topics such as critical period effects for late language learners, bilingualism, and developmental disorders. Our readings and discussions will explore theoretical accounts of language development and the hotly contested debates surrounding how children learn to understand and produce language.

The seminar will meet for 3 hours, 1 day/week. It is tentatively scheduled for Friday mornings. If you are interested in taking the course, please let me know what days and times you are available.

Text(s):

Textbook Information not Available Yet
Classroom Class Schedule Course Website
TBA F   9:00 AM - 11:50 AM
Instructor Instructor Email Office Office Hours
Katharine Graf Estes , Ph.D. 102N Young Hall