An introductory linguistics course would be helpful but is not essential. Introduction to Linguistics. Not open to students with credit for Ling. This course is an introduction to the objectives and methods of modern linguistics. We will consider how all these aspects of language vary from one dialect or language to another, from one social group to another, and from one situation to another, and we will ask how and why they change through time.
Phonology studies the sound system of human speech.
We will examine the fundamental elements of sounds, the intrinsic structures among the elements, and higher levels of sound organization. We will also discuss the nature of sound change, both synchronically and through time, and the diversity and commonality among different human speeches. In addition, we will ask what phonology can tell us about the human mind. Both theory and problem solving ability will be emphasized. The former are innate, thus universal, and form the common grammatical basis from which every language is learned.