In which class can I learn more Grammar?

See this thread: What does "Linguistics" mean?...
... for my question. And follow the link there!

I have to decide EDIT: early next week, which class to take for the entire semester. I want the alternative I choose to be a preparation for Classical Greek. I took easy Grammar classes in college, but that is insufficient.

I have to wonder whether the "Introduction to Linguistics" -class (the one I know the least about, one of only two alternatives to choose from) is Grammar tuition, or whether it presumes a lot of prior Grammar knowledge? Is "Introduction to Linguistics" mostly Grammar?

The only description in English is of Linguistics is: More on General Linguistics - Stockholm University - Department of Linguistics.

What sub-parts that the Linguistics class contains is only specified in Swedish in a pdf-document: http://sisu.it.su.se/pdf_creator/cached/24620/31259

I only speak 4 languages (of which one only at a tourist level, the other ones fluently - two of which are mother's tongues) and can by listening understand some of 3 more languages, so I'm unsure about whether the part on comparing languages is the right thing for me. BUT fortunately the page:
http://www.ling.su.se/utbildning/alla-program-och-kurser/grundniv%C3%A5/lingvistik-i
... says that the "Introduction to Linguistics" -class does not contain: The evolution of languages, development and variation, nor the communication class - all of which are part of a more broad 100% of full-time class.

(I have a temperature right now so I don't have the energy to even copy-paste everything from that thread into this thread.)

I'm not sure the uni would answer my question on phone, they usually want You to come physically for guidance.

Find more posts tagged with

Comments

MJ. Smith

An Introductory linguistics class does not expect you to speak the variety of languages used in the comparative section. In fact, to make particular points you can assume they will use languages known only to a few linguists and anthropologist.

Grammar is only one element of linguistics and will not dominate either class. However, many of the elements one learns in language acquisition and generative grammar (mind to speech) apply as well to grammar as a subfield. I would be hesitant to take a class in Grammar without having had an introductory course - linguistics has a large amount of technical vocabulary and standard techniques that are learned in the introductory course and assumed in later courses. On the other hand, if one is broadly read in language theory, one can be bored with the introductory course ... and only appreciate it several years later.

Unix

Even though this is a fairly large uni (more than 50,000 students), they don't have a class (at least not that is not JUST the native language) in Grammar, at least not on an introductory level. And the classes I took in college were very basic. There doesn't seem to be much in-between, except the English class which consists mostly of literature analysis and only a fraction of Grammar.

After this "Introduction to Linguistics" -class You can't continue to the next level. If You would have wanted to have the possibility to continue You would need the broader "Linguistics I" class instead which is 100% of full-time and ends in June 2014. The "Introduction to ..." -class is 50% of full-time, starts on January 16. 2014 and ends in May:

I would be hesitant to take a class in Grammar without having had an introductory course - linguistics has a large amount of technical vocabulary and standard techniques that are learned in the introductory course and assumed in later courses.

Simon’s Brother

To add to what MJ has already said Unix, topics typically covered in an introductory linguistics course cover a discussion of what language is, what makes up words - phonology, morphology etc and then look at topics like syntax and semantics. How we acquire first and second languages, comparative language studies, non-verbal language - sign languages, and non-language eg, how animals communicate. Other topics relating to language theory may also be covered.

Unix

I'm trying to reach the uni by phone today and Monday (probably going at site Monday) to ask whether the "Introduction to Linguistics" -class contains ANY tuition on different kinds of pronomens and verbs.

Unix

I got hold of one amanuensis who has able to tell me right away what the "Introduction to Linguistics" -class consists of:

Parts of speech
Word-phrases
Syntax
Phonetics
Data-linguistics

I also asked the specific question whether there's tuition in different kinds of Pronouns and Verbs and the answer was affirmative.
They have special software on the computers at uni, but for schoolwork to be done at home one can use own computer.

I choose this class, it suits me perfectly! I will also have time to work in an elementary school meanwhile.

For the Summer term I think I'm going to study in Helsinki in my dialect - will have double rents, an additional cost of €350, so I will talk to my parents and see whether they will finance some things. I have an active cell phone subscription for that entire country since many years. But I don't think I will be affording internet in my laptop - good thing I have so many books offline. So unless they have wifi in the student rooms I will be offline.

Simon’s Brother

I got hold of one amanuensis who has able to tell me right away what the "Introduction to Linguistics" -class consists of:

Parts of speech

Word-phrases

Syntax

Phonetics

Data-linguistics

I also asked the specific question whether there's tuition in different kinds of Pronouns and Verbs and the answer was affirmative.
They have special software on the computers at uni, but for schoolwork to be done at home one can use own computer.

I choose this class, it suits me perfectly! I will also have time to work in an elementary school meanwhile.

For the Summer term I think I'm going to study in Helsinki in my dialect - will have double rents, an additional cost of €350, so I will talk to my parents and see whether they will finance some things. I have an active cell phone subscription for that entire country since many years. But I don't think I will be affording internet in my laptop - good thing I have so many books offline. So unless they have wifi in the student rooms I will be offline.

Hope you enjoy the class.