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Home , Psycholinguistics

Faculty of Science Course Syllabus Department of and PSYO/NESC 3190 Psycholinguistics Fall, 2020-2021

Instructor: Myrto Brandeker, Ph.D., SLP-Reg, SLP(C) [email protected] Office hours: through Collaborate Ultra (schedule will be released separately) Lectures: Asynchronous delivery through Brightspace portal Modules will be released weekly according to below schedule Teaching Assistants: Alex Ryken, M.Sc. (Marker) [email protected] ______Course Description Explores the cognitive and neural bases of processing. Topics include: human language and other systems; ; ; ; ; discourse; first and acquisition; relationship of language to general cognitive functions such as music and mathematics; signed such as American Sign Language; and non-linguistic gesture. Course Prerequisites PSYO 2000.03 or NESC 2007.03, and NESC/PSYO 2130.03. Major and honours students in the third year of the program do not require these prerequisites, however, a prerequisite override from the instructor is required for registration. Course Objectives/Learning Outcomes Broadly speaking, this course aims to improve your skills in independent, critical thinking and clear communication, as well as to give you a deeper understanding of how language—one of the most unique and features of human —works. Language is a central part of our lives and hopefully this class will provide you with insight that enriches you. An understanding of language can inform personal decisions and policies in areas as diverse as education, politics, and health. This course recognizes that life is not a multiple choice test, and simply “knowing a bunch of stuff” won’t get you too far — you need to critically evaluate information to make decisions and take action in the world around you. The assessments in this class are designed with this in mind.

Upon successfully completing this class, you should be able to: • Demonstrate a broad, general understanding of the field of psycholinguistics • Be able to clearly describe specific concepts in psycholinguistics, including models, theories, and experimental evidence, in writing and orally • Be able to contrast different models of language processing • Apply knowledge from multiple sources, including the textbook and the academic literature, to derive conclusions from sample data • Critically evaluate scientific literature

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• Be able to determine whether data support a particular conclusion, and generate alternative hypotheses to explain the data • Apply findings of psycholinguistic research to real-life problems • Relate basic science findings to problems in society, such as education and treatment of language disorders

Course Materials Sedivy, J. (2020). Language in Mind (2nd Edition). New York: Oxford University Press. • E-book options: https://www.vitalsource.com/en-ca/products/language-in-mind-julie-sedivy- v9781605358369 or https://www.redshelf.com/book/1059808/language-in-mind-1059808- 9781605358369-julie-sedivy • Companion website: https://oup-arc.com/access/sedivy-2e-student-resources Schwartz, R. (2017). Handbook of child language disorders (2nd Edition). New York: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group. • Available as e-book from the Dalhousie library: https://novanet- primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/f/auflpa/NOVANET_ALEPH006266256 • Chapters 1 and 3 are required , while chapter 4 is optional reading. Additional and links to blog posts or videos (both required and optional readings) will be made available on the course website within each module.

Course Format The course is offered online-only through the course website on Brightspace, which will be the definite source for content, assignment instructions and submissions, due dates, and materials. The course is divided into 12 learning modules. Each module contains lessons, readings, activities, and discussions. The content of each module is required for the course unless it is clearly noted as optional. A new module will be released every Monday at 9 am ADT during the course (with the exception of Module 1 and Study Break week), as outlined by the schedule below. It is the responsibility of each student to keep up with modules and readings. If you are experiencing any barriers to learning, please contact the instructor via email or at office hours as soon as possible. Please note that all deadlines and times noted in this syllabus follow local time Halifax (ADT). If you are currently in a different time zone, do not forget to adjust your time.

Office hours Office hours will be held for two hours weekly via Collaborate Ultra. The first hour will be a joint session for all students and an opportunity to meet virtually for discussions and questions. Attendance is optional. A recorded version will be available later for all students. The second hour of each week will be reserved for individual meetings with students. Information on how to log in to virtual office hours and schedule individual meetings will be posted to the “Office Hours” section of the course Brightspace page.

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Tentative schedule ( to change) Module Date Topic Reading Assignments due Sedivy: Ch. 2 1 Sept 8 What is language? Origins of human language. Online links Sedivy: Ch. 3 2 Sept 14 Language and the brain Brookshire (2014) Sedivy: Ch. 4 3 Sept 21 Learning sounds Online links

Learning + What happens in atypical Sedivy: Ch. 5 4 Sept 28 language learning? Schwart: Ch. 1 ASSIGNMENT 1 Oct 4 Sedivy: Ch. 6 5 Oct 5 What is syntax? Part 1 Online link How do we perceive speech? What about sign 6 Oct 12 Sedivy: Ch. 7 language? Sedivy: Ch. 8 7 Oct 19 How do we recognize words?

MID-TERM (released Oct 15) Oct 22 Sedivy: Ch. 9 8 Oct 26 What is syntax? Part 2 Online link 9 Nov 2 Speaking Sedivy: Ch. 10 STUDY BREAK (Nov 9-13) ASSIGNMENT 2 Nov 15 10 Nov 16 Discourse + Artifical languages Sedivy: Ch. 11 Sedivy: Ch. 12 11 Nov 23 Is language a social activity? Schwartz: Ch. 3 12 Nov 30 Language diversity and bilingualism Ch. 13 FINAL EXAM (released Dec 10) Dec 17

Course Assessment Evaluation component Weight (% of final grade) Date Participation 15% During each module Assignment 1 10% October 4 Assignment 2 20% November 15 Mid-term (open book) 25% October 15-22 Final (open book) 30% December 10-17 Bonus points 2% See below.

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1. Participation (15%) This class aims to be interactive and to promote critical thinking. Students will be divided into smaller groups where discussions and peer feedback on activities will take place. Each module will be followed by one activity and one topic for discussion. Peer feedback and discussions will take place in the online discussion forum on Brightspace and are subject to deadlines (see separate schedule). The topics are designed to increase your broader understanding of the course content and connect with the bigger picture. Guidelines for giving peer feedback will be provided. In the online discussions, students will be encouraged to share their own experiences or beliefs as well as give support from textbook or other research. Your contribution will not be graded based on any rubric or ideas of right/wrong, but on degree of active participation with others as well as ability to apply theoretical knowledge and offer critical thinking. For these discussions to be successful and interesting, it is important that everyone participates and encourages discussion in a respectful manner. Both peer feedback and the discussions will be monitored regularly by the instructor.

2. Assignment 1 (10%) The first assignment will involve collecting real-life speech and language samples and provide these as a structured data base. Written instructions will be given. Note that Assignment 2 builds directly onto Assignment 1, which is why both assignments are important to complete. Deadline for Assignment 1 is October 4 at 11:59 pm. Submission will be through the Assignment folder on Brightspace. Late penalty will be applied with -10% per started 24-hour period, unless cleared before deadline with the instructor.

3. Assignment 2 (20%) The second assignment consists of continued data collection as well as of speech and language. Written instructions will be given. Note that Assignment 2 builds directly onto Assignment 1, which is why both assignments are important to complete. Deadline for Assignment 2 is November 15 at 11:59 pm. Submission will be through the Assignment folder on Brightspace. Late penalty will be applied with -10% per started 24-hour period, unless cleared before deadline with the instructor.

4. Mid-term exam (25%) The exam is designed to assess your ability to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information from the class, and apply your understanding of the material to new questions. The mid-term covers material from modules 1-6 and will be composed of both short- and long-answer questions. The mid-term is released on October 15 and due on October 22 at 11:59 pm. Late penalty will be applied with -10% per started 24- hour period, unless cleared before deadline with the instructor.

5. Final exam (30%) The exam is designed to assess your ability to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information from the class, and apply your understanding of the material to new questions. The final exam covers material from modules 8-14 as well as accumulated knowledge. It will be composed of both short- and long- answer questions. The final is released on December 10 and due on December 17 at 11:59 pm. Late penalty will be applied with -10% per started 24-hour period, unless cleared before deadline with the instructor. Exams will not be accepter after December 22, 2020, in order to allow for timely grade submission to registrar.

6. Bonus points (2%) • You may earn a bonus worth 1% of your final grade for participating in a university-run “self- improvement” class (online options available). The class has to be completed by December 20, 2020.

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Please ask the instructor of the class to email me confirmation of your participation. It is your job to ensure the instructor follows up with the email to me. Options for these online workshops include the following, but others may be possible – feel free to ask if an idea that you have will count: o Studying for Success Program (time management, note-taking, study skills), see https://www.dal.ca/campus_life/academic-support/study-skills-and-tutoring/make-an- appointment.html o University Writing Centre (help on choosing a topic, organizing ideas, clear and accurate written expression, proper referencing and citation), see https://www.dal.ca/campus_life/academic-support/writing-and-study-skills.html o Student Health and Wellness services (public speaking, exam ), see https://www.dal.ca/campus_life/health-and-wellness/workshops-events.html • You may earn an additional 1% for participating in SONA research (point values determined by each study’s researchers) or by evaluating research articles for the Accessible Research Article Database (0.5 points per article evaluated). See Brightspace for more information.

Conversion of numerical grades to Final Letter Grades follows the Dalhousie Common Grade Scale A+ (90-100) B+ (77-79) C+ (65-69) D (50-54) A (85-89) B (73-76) C (60-64) F (<50) A- (80-84) B- (70-72) C- (55-59)

Expectations • Be proactive. Stay on top of the course, ask questions sooner than later, use all of the resources available to you. If you are struggling, contact the instructor without delay and don’t wait until your assignment is due. This course is a great opportunity for you to develop independent learning skills and time organization. • Be prepared. Keep up with the material and don’t let it pile up. • Be engaged. Feel free to ask questions at any point, either through emails, office hours, or through the online discussion forum. Engage in discussion with the other students. This will make the class even more fun. • For all assignments and exam questions, pay attention to what is asked of you and address these points/questions directly, respecting length requirements. Do not simply dump everything you can remember about a topic in an unorganized fashion or go on at length about things only tangentially related to the question. • Strive to excel. Even if you have done well thus far in University, keep in mind that we continue to “raise the bar” in higher-level courses. This class emphasizes higher-level cognitive skills like questioning, analyzing, and evaluating information, rather than just memorizing and regurgitating it. • Be respectful of your fellow students, the teaching assistant, and the instructor. This includes the way you write, the thought you put into emails, and consideration of other people’s busy schedules.

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Course Policies This course is governed by the academic rules and regulations set forth in the University Calendar and by Senate. Late Work Time management is one of the many life skills you are expected to demonstrate (and/or develop) in this course. Due dates are firm, and 10% per 24-hour delay will be deducted from your maximum possible mark on any assignment that is turned in late. Deadlines are specified on Brightspace to the minute, and the margin of error is 5 minutes. If you are having technical difficulties submitting, email the instructor (and cc the marker) within 5 minutes of the deadline. You are given ample time to complete the assignments, so waiting until the last minute, then having your computer crash or getting sick etc. is not an excuse. Since the exams are take-home and you will be given 7 days to complete it, you can expect little tolerance for requests for extensions. Late work may be accepted by prior arrangement (preferred), or after the fact under exceptional circumstances. The marker does not have the authority to consider such requests, so please direct them to the instructor. Missed or Late Academic Requirements due to Student Absence Dalhousie students are asked to take responsibility for their own short-term absences (3 days or less) by contacting their instructor by phone or email prior to the academic requirement deadline or scheduled time and by submitting a completed Student Declaration of Absence to their instructor through Brightspace in case of missed or late academic requirements. Only 2 separate Student Declaration of Absence forms may be submitted per course during a term. Information: https://www.dal.ca/campus_life/safety-respect/student-rights-and-responsibilities/academic- policies/Information%20for%20students.html Academic Integrity At Dalhousie University, we are guided in all of our work by the values of academic integrity: honesty, trust, fairness, responsibility and respect (The Center for Academic Integrity, Duke University, 1999). As a student, you are required to demonstrate these values in all of the work you do. The University provides policies and procedures that every member of the university community is required to follow to ensure academic integrity. Information: https://www.dal.ca/dept/university_secretariat/academic-integrity.html Accessibility The Advising and Access Services Centre is Dalhousie's centre of expertise for student accessibility and accommodation. The advising team works with students who request accommodation as a result of a disability, religious obligation, or any barrier related to any other characteristic protected under Human Rights legislation (Canada and Nova Scotia). Information: https://www.dal.ca/campus_life/academic-support/accessibility.html Student Code of Conduct Everyone at Dalhousie is expected to treat others with dignity and respect. The Code of Student Conduct allows Dalhousie to take disciplinary action if students don’t follow this community expectation. When appropriate, violations of the code can be resolved in a reasonable and informal manner—perhaps through a restorative justice process. If an informal resolution can’t be reached, or would be inappropriate, procedures exist for formal dispute resolution. Code: https://www.dal.ca/dept/university_secretariat/policies/student-life/code-of-student-conduct.html Diversity and Inclusion – Culture of Respect Every person at Dalhousie has a right to be respected and safe. We believe inclusiveness is fundamental to education. We stand for equality. Dalhousie is strengthened in our diversity. We are a respectful and inclusive community. We are committed to being a place where everyone feels welcome and supported, which is why our Strategic Direction prioritizes fostering a culture of diversity and inclusiveness Statement: http://www.dal.ca/cultureofrespect.html

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Recognition of Mi’kmaq Territory Dalhousie University would like to acknowledge that the University is on Traditional Mi’kmaq Territory. The Elders in Residence program provides students with access to First Nations elders for guidance, counsel and support. Visit or e- mail the Indigenous Student Centre (1321 Edward St) ([email protected]). Information: https://www.dal.ca/campus_life/communities/indigenous.html Important Dates in the Academic Year (including add/drop dates) https://www.dal.ca/academics/important_dates.html University Grading Practices https://www.dal.ca/dept/university_secretariat/policies/academic/grading-practices-policy.html Missed or Late Academic Requirements due to Student Absence (policy) https://www.dal.ca/dept/university_secretariat/policies/academic/missed-or-late-academic- requirements-due-to-student-absence.html

Student Resources and Support Advising General Advising https://www.dal.ca/campus_life/academic-support/advising.html Science Program Advisors: https://www.dal.ca/faculty/science/current-students/academic-advising.html Indigenous Student Centre: https://www.dal.ca/campus_life/communities/indigenous.html Black Students Advising Centre: https://www.dal.ca/campus_life/communities/black-student-advising.html International Centre: https://www.dal.ca/campus_life/international-centre/current-students.html

Academic supports Library: https://libraries.dal.ca/ Writing Centre: https://www.dal.ca/campus_life/academic-support/writing-and-study-skills.html Studying for Success: https://www.dal.ca/campus_life/academic-support/study-skills-and-tutoring.html Copyright Office: https://libraries.dal.ca/services/copyright-office.html Fair Dealing Guidelines https://libraries.dal.ca/services/copyright-office/fair-dealing.html

Other supports and services Student Health & Wellness Centre: https://www.dal.ca/campus_life/health-and-wellness/services- support/student-health-and-wellness.html Student Advocacy: https://dsu.ca/dsas Ombudsperson: https://www.dal.ca/campus_life/safety-respect/student-rights-and-responsibilities/where-to- get-help/ombudsperson.html

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