Courses

The listing of a course description here does not guarantee a course’s being offered in a particular term. Please refer to the published schedule of classes on the MyBU Student Portal for confirmation a class is actually being taught and for specific course meeting dates and times.

• CAS LX 390: Topics in Linguistics
  Topics and pre-requisites vary by semester and section. May be repeated for credit as topics change. The pre-requisite for all three Fall 2024 sections is CASLX250 or equivalent. Topics for Fall 2024: Section A1: Language Revitalization. Languages become "endangered" or "dormant" for multiple reasons, and efforts to revitalize languages take many paths. We examine key cases of language revitalization, including examples from around the world, but with a primary focus on indigenous languages of North America. Section B1: Cognitive Science of Language. This course serves as an introduction to studying language as a part of broader cognitive science, exploring questions about the nature of linguistic representations, how they are processed and acquired, and how they interact with other cognitive domains. Section C1: Lexical Semantics. Pre-requisite in addition to CASLF 250 is CASLX 331 or 631 or equivalent. Recommended is CASLX321/621 or equivalent; or consent of the instructor. Investigation of the traditional notion of morpheme as a ¿minimal form-meaning pairing," and its attendant difficulties. Students gain an appreciation of the relationship between word structure and word meaning across languages via a series of case studies.
• CAS LX 391: Linguistic Field Methods
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASLX250) or consent of instructor. - A team-based in-depth investigation of the phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and lexicon of an African or other non-Indo-European language. Bi-weekly sessions with language consultant. Weekly trainings on methodology, ethics, analysis, and presentation of results. Effective Spring 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Ethical Reasoning, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Teamwork/Collaboration.
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  • Ethical Reasoning
  • Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
  • Teamwork/Collaboration
• CAS LX 394: Introduction to Programming for Computational Linguistics
  Introduction to computational techniques to explore linguistic models and test empirical claims. Serves as an introduction to programming, algorithms, and data structures, focused on modern applications to Natural Language Processing (NLP). Topics include tagging and classification, parsing models, meaning representation, and information extraction. (Not intended for students with a background in programming or computer science.) Carries MCS divisional studies credit in CAS. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Quantitative Reasoning II, Research and Information Literacy.
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  • Quantitative Reasoning II
  • Research and Information Literacy
• CAS LX 403: Phonological Analysis
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS LX 301 (formerly CAS LX 510), or consent of instructor. - Survey of phonological theory and analysis, with focus on cross-linguistic typology of phonological systems. Phonological reasoning and argumentation skills are developed. Empirical coverage includes contrast, distinctive features, rules and constraints, opacity, tone, syllabification, stress, and interactions with morphology and syntax. Also offered as GRS LX 703. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course entitled "Introduction to Phonology" that was previously numbered CAS LX 513.
• CAS LX 405: Prosody
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS LX 301 (formerly CAS LX 510), or consent of instructor. - Exploration of the melodic and rhythmic aspects of the languages of the world. Emphasis on theoretical and experimental approaches to cross-linguistic typology. Specific topics include syllables and syllable-weight, rhythm and speech timing; stress and metrics; tone and intonation. Also offered as GRS LX 705. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS LX 525.
• CAS LX 422: Intermediate Syntax: Modeling Syntactic Knowledge
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS LX 321 (formerly CAS LX 522), or consent of instructor. - Using linguistic data drawn from a wide variety of languages, students develop a precise model of syntactic knowledge through evaluation of hypotheses and arguments. Exploration of major discoveries and phenomena from the linguistic literature. Also offered as GRS LX 722.
• CAS LX 423: Advanced Syntax: Issues in Modern Syntactic Theory
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASLX422) or consent of instructor. - Exploration of advanced topics in syntax, chosen in part based on student interest, through reading and critical discussion of both foundational and recent literature. Also offered as GRS LX 723. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course entitled "Syntax II" that was previously numbered CAS LX 523.
• CAS LX 432: Intermediate Semantics: The Grammatical Construction of Meaning
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS LX 331 (formerly CAS LX 502). - Systematic development of a semantic theory of natural language, using the tools of model-theoretic semantics. In-depth study of the relation between meaning and grammar, and the relation between meaning and context. Also offered as GRS LX 732. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course entitled "Semantics II" that was previously numbered CAS LX 503.
• CAS LX 433: Experimental Pragmatics
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS LX 331 (formerly CAS LX 502), or consent of instructor. - Covers recent developments in the theory of pragmatics and related empirical findings obtained through a variety of experimental methods. Topics include scalar implicature and its relation to vagueness and imprecision, hyperbole, metaphor, irony, politeness, and the pragmatics of reference to objects in visual scenes. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course entitled "Topics in Pragmatics" that was previously numbered CAS LX 504. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Quantitative Reasoning II, Digital/Multimedia Expression, Creativity/Innovation.
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  • Creativity/Innovation
  • Digital/Multimedia Expression
  • Quantitative Reasoning II
• CAS LX 454: Acquisition of Syntax
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASLX321) - Exploration of the character and course of acquisition of syntactic knowledge in both first and second language contexts. Covers methodological principles for conducting studies and analyzing data, and topics such as development of verb movement, binding theory, and tense. Also offered as GRS LX 754. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS LX 540.
• CAS LX 496: Computational Linguistics
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASLX250) and CASCS112 or CASLX394); or consent of instructor. - Introduction to computational techniques to explore linguistic models and test empirical claims. Serves as an introduction to concepts, algorithms, data structures, and tool libraries. Topics include tagging and classification, parsing models, meaning representation, corpus creation, information extraction. Effective Spring 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Quantitative Reasoning II, Research and Information Literacy.
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  • Quantitative Reasoning II
  • Research and Information Literacy
• CAS LY 111: Elementary Modern Arabic 1
  Advances proficiency in Modern Standard Arabic to the Novice Mid level. Builds vocabulary repertoire. Practice speaking, listening, reading, writing using engaging materials and real-life communicative activities. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: The Individual in Community.
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  • The Individual in Community
• CAS LY 112: Elementary Modern Arabic 2
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASLY111) - Advances proficiency in Modern Standard Arabic to the Novice High level. Expands vocabulary repertoire. Practice speaking, listening, reading, writing using engaging materials and real-life communicative activities. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: The Individual in Community.
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  • The Individual in Community
• CAS LY 139: Intensive First-year Arabic for Heritage Learners
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: placement exam results. - Intensive first-year Arabic for students already knowing the Arabic alphabet and possessing some colloquial Arabic conversation skills. Advances reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension to Novice High. One semester covers all material taught in CAS LY 111 and LY 112. Cannot be taken for credit in addition to CAS LY 111 or LY 112. Effective Fall 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: The Individual in Community.
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  • The Individual in Community
• CAS LY 211: Second-Year Modern Arabic 1
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASLY112) - Advances proficiency in Modern Standard Arabic to the Intermediate Low level. Expands vocabulary repertoire. Practice speaking, listening, reading, writing using engaging materials and real-life communicative activities. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: The Individual in Community.
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  • The Individual in Community
• CAS LY 212: Second-Year Modern Arabic 2
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASLY211) - Advances proficiency in Modern Standard Arabic to the Intermediate Mid level. Expands vocabulary repertoire. Practice speaking, listening, reading, writing using engaging materials and real-life communicative activities. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: The Individual in Community, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy.
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  • Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
  • The Individual in Community
• CAS LY 214: Levantine Colloquial Arabic 1
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: CASLY 112, or equivalent. - To enhance oral communicative ability in colloquial Levantine Arabic. Introduces vocabulary, grammatical features, and cultural skills essential for informal communication with speakers of Syrian, Lebanese, Palestinian, and Jordanian Arabic. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: The Individual in Community. Effective Fall 2024, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: The Individual in Community, Teamwork/Collaboration.
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  • The Individual in Community
  • Teamwork/Collaboration
• CAS LY 215: Levantine Arabic 2
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASLY214) or novice-high proficiency level in the Levantine dialect. - Advances communicative proficiency in Levantine colloquial Arabic to the intermediate level. Using engaging materials and activities, students learn and practice vocabulary and grammar essential for practical everyday communication with Syrians, Lebanese, Palestinians, Jordanians. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: The Individual in Community, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy. Effective Spring 2025, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Oral and/or Signed Communication .
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  • Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
  • Oral and/or Signed Communication
• CAS LY 283: Arab Cultures Through Film (in English translation)
  Explores Arab cultures with a focus on key historical and social issues through the lens of Arabic films, both as historical artifacts and artworks. Diverse cinematic works from Syria, Palestine, Egypt, and beyond are discussed and analyzed. No prior knowledge of the Arab world or Arabic is required. Effective Spring 2023 this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Historical Consciousness, Teamwork/Collaboration.
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  • Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
  • Historical Consciousness
  • Teamwork/Collaboration
• CAS LY 284: War in Arab Literature and Film (in English translation)
  How do Arab writers and filmmakers depict the region’s defining wars? Comparison to nonfiction and to artworks by Israeli and American artists from the "other side." All readings in English; knowledge of Arabic or Middle Eastern history is welcome, but none is assumed. Effective Fall 2024, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU HUB areas: Aesthetic Exploration, Creativity/Innovation, Philosophical Inquiry and Life's Meanings.
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  • Aesthetic Exploration
  • Creativity/Innovation
  • Philosophical Inquiry and Life's Meanings